FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2009

CONTACT: Mark Daley
(202) 416-7681

Paralyzed Veterans' Americana Gala Honors Outstanding Leadership

Spotlights Improving the Quality of Life for Veterans with Disabilities

Washington, DC—Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) will hold its annual Americana Gala, Wednesday, September 16, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, DC. Gala mistress of ceremonies will be ABC News chief foreign correspondent, Martha Raddatz.

Awardees include U.S. Representative Chet Edwards, former Deputy U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield, Invacare CEO Mal Mixon and the U.S. Paralympics. Presenters include the U.S. National Security Advisor, General James Jones, and former U.S. Senator Max Cleland.

“Imagine an America where paralyzed veterans and their families have everything they need to thrive. Through their leadership, the people and businesses we honor at the Gala are helping Paralyzed Veterans make this vision a reality,” said Paralyzed Veterans’ National President Randy L. Pleva, Sr.

The inspirational annual fundraising event both honors extraordinary leaders who work hard 24/7 to help our nation’s paralyzed veterans and their families and highlights the vital role that Paralyzed Veterans’ programs have in improving the quality of life for veterans with disabilities. More than 300 guests are expected to attend this year’s Gala.

Our great nation is home to 25 million brave veterans and 54 million people with disabilities—with 12,000 new spinal cord injuries reported annually. Paralyzed Veterans works around the clock to create an America where veterans benefits and health care are fully funded; where everywhere is barrier free for everyone; where wheelchair sports are mainstream; and where our scientific community is amply funded to strive for new treatments and cures.

This year’s honorees are:

Outstanding Service to Veterans Award
The Honorable Gordon H. Mansfield
Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Access Through Architecture Award
American Institute of Architecture Students

Sports and Recreation Award
The U.S. Paralympics

Congressional Award
The Honorable Chet Edwards

U.S. House of Representatives
Corporate Leadership Award

Mal Mixon, CEO Invacare
Invacare Corporation

Paralyzed Veterans was founded by a band of spinal cord injured service members who returned home from World War II to a grateful nation, but also to a world with few solutions to the challenges they faced. They made a decision not just to live, but to live with dignity as contributors to society. They created Paralyzed Veterans, dedicated to veterans service, medical research, and civil rights for people with disabilities. And for more than 63 years, Paralyzed Veterans and our 34 chapters have been working to create an America where all veterans and people with disabilities, and their families, have everything they need to thrive. We represent thousands of veterans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Proceeds from the Gala will benefit the Paralyzed Veterans of America, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, congressionally chartered veterans service organization. To learn more about our work, go to www.pva.org.

—ENDS—

Notes to editors:

MEDIA
Please register with Mark Daley at 202.416.7681 or markdaley@pva.org prior to the Gala.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Event: 2009 Paralyzed Veterans of America Americana Gala
Date: September 16, 2009
Time: 6:30 PM General Reception, 7:00 PM Dinner and Awards Program
Location: Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center