June 15, 2010

Ranking Member Buyer Honored by Blinded American Veterans Foundation

For more information, contact: Brian Lawrence (202) 2225-3527

Washington, D.C. – In recognition of his longstanding dedication and commitment to serving veterans, the Blinded American Veterans Foundation (BAVF) today presented its prestigious George ‘Buck’ Gillispie Congressional Award to Congressman Steve Buyer.

The Gillispie is awarded to Senators and Representatives who, in the opinion of the BAVF, have made significant contributions toward furthering the foundation’s efforts on behalf of sensory disabled American veterans. Buyer, who serves as Ranking Member on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, received BAVF’s award during the foundation’s annual Flag Week celebration.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive recognition from this esteemed group of veterans who have sacrificed so much in the name of liberty,” Buyer said. “It has been my privilege to serve the men and women who have defended our nation and freedom we cherish. For me, there is no higher calling.”

In 2006, when he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Buyer secured support to direct funds to conduct a series of tests and evaluations on combat helmets to improve protections against blasts from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) associated with IEDs are among the leading cause of impaired vision due to damage to the occipital area of the brain. More than half of all TBI patients treated at Walter Reed Army Hospital and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center in Palo Alto, California have vision dysfunction.

 

Buyer, himself a veteran, is a 1980 distinguished military graduate of The Citadel and a career Army Reserve officer who continues to serve with the Judge Advocate General Corps as a colonel. He has received numerous military honors, including the Bronze Star.

Buyer also worked with Congressman John Boozman in the 110th Congress to help pass the Blinded Veterans Paired Organ Act and to authorize $5 million to create military vision centers of excellence.

For more news from House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Republicans, please go to:

 

http://republicans.veterans.house.gov/

 

http://www.youtube.com/user/VetAffairsRepublican

 

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