IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 291 

Recognizing the crucial role of assistance dogs in helping wounded veterans 

live more independent lives, expressing gratitude to The Tower of Hope, 

and supporting the goals and ideals of creating a Tower of Hope Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 26, 2009 

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida (for himself, Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. WEXLER, Ms. 

WOOLSEY, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. KISSELL, Mr. HALL of 

New York, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Ms. KILPATRICK of Michigan, and Mr. 

BROWN of South Carolina) submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the crucial role of assistance dogs in helping 

wounded veterans live more independent lives, expressing 

gratitude to The Tower of Hope, and supporting the 

goals and ideals of creating a Tower of Hope Day. 

Whereas the brave men and women defending America’s democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan are in harms way; 

Whereas thousands of America’s returning veterans were seriously wounded in combat, including brain injuries, single and double amputations, and other traumatic wounds; 

Whereas these brave soldiers return to the United States and 

spend weeks, months, and years in hospitals recovering, 

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•HRES 291 IH 

and return to their homes needing assistance to regain 

their independence; 

Whereas these recovering soldiers who are teamed up with assistance dogs lead more comfortable and more independent lives; 

Whereas these dogs provide assistance to wounded veterans 

while walking, going up and down stairs, and getting up 

from a sitting or fallen position, and also pick up 

dropped articles, retrieve items from a distance, pull 

manual wheelchairs a short distance, turn lights on and 

off, and perform other important daily tasks; 

Whereas assistance animals offer priceless companionship 

and unconditional love on a daily basis; 

Whereas there are fewer than 75 veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who currently have assistance dogs because 

they either cannot afford them or do not know about the 

benefits that assistance dogs provide; 

Whereas severely wounded veterans currently have to wait up 

to two years before they can receive an assistance animal; 

Whereas The Tower of Hope was created following the attacks of September 11, 2001, to bring hope to wounded 

veterans by providing them with assistance dogs at no 

cost; and 

Whereas The Tower of Hope has substantially improved 

many lives by raising funds for the training of assistance 

dogs, providing grants for American combat wounded veterans, and advocating for the benefits of these animals: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

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•HRES 291 IH 

1 (1) acknowledges the importance of assistance 

2 dogs in helping combat-wounded veterans live 

3 happier and more independent lives; 

4 (2) applauds the outstanding work of The 

5 Tower of Hope and its dedication to training and 

6 providing assistance dogs to wounded veterans, as 

7 well as educating people about the benefits of such 

8 animals; 

9 (3) expresses deep gratitude and support to vol10 unteers and donors who have made this great pro11 gram possible by generously offering time and funds; 

12 (4) encourages the general public to support 

13 wounded veterans by volunteering or donating to 

14 help train assistance dogs; 

15 (5) calls for a vigorous promotion of, and advo16 cacy for, the benefits of assistance animals for physi17 cians and the general public; and 

18 (6) supports the goals and ideals of creating a 

19 Tower of Hope Day in honor of wounded American 

20 veterans and their service dogs, the work of The 

21 Tower of Hope, and the many generous donors. 

Æ 

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