Recognized for her work to advance legislation that enables the VA to provide procreative services to catastrophically injured veterans
PVA national president Al Kovach Jr (left) presents the Gordon H. Mansfield Award to Senator Patty Murray (center) in Washington, D.C. Joining them is PVA Northwest chapter executive director Brent King (right) and PVA senior VP David Zurfluh. (Photo PVA Staff).
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) today announced it has honored Senator Patty Murray with the 2017 Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award. Senator Murray has collaborated extensively with PVA government relations staff to advance legislation that enables VA to provide fertility counseling and treatment to qualifying veterans and their spouses, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). These long-awaited procreative services finally became available to veterans on January 19 of this year, and are approved through September 30, 2018.
“We’re honored to present Senator Murray with this award. Her work to advocate on behalf of America’s veterans and enable them to have families of their own post-injury is an immeasurable win for Paralyzed Veterans of America members,” said PVA national president Al Kovach Jr. “We applaud Senator Murray for her tireless efforts on their behalf, and for remaining a leader in the effort to make this a permanent part of VA healthcare services.”
The Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award is named for the Honorable Gordon Mansfield, former Acting Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Executive Director of Paralyzed Veterans. The award reflects upon his services as the former Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs at the VA, and Paralyzed Veterans’ first associate executive director of government relations. The late Mr. Mansfield was a combat-injured Vietnam veteran who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Senator Murray was notified of the award earlier this year and was officially presented the award last week at a private meeting during Paralyzed Veterans of America’s annual Advocacy Week. The Senator issued the following statement of recognition: “Military families sacrifice so much on our behalf, and they deserve to know their country will be there for them, no matter what. Making sure veterans and their spouses have access to reproductive assistance is just one way we can fulfill that promise, and I couldn’t be more proud to have Paralyzed Veterans of America by my side as we work together to make sure we are doing everything we can for the men and women who sacrifice so much in their service to our country.”
