Moran, Jerry: Good afternoon, everyone. The committee will come to order, and we welcome our witnesses, certainly for those who are here to hear the testimony. I look forward to Senator Blumenthal joining us shortly. He is on his way, but I'm excited about this hearing, and I'm excited about the time of this hearing and I'm excited that we're on this path. The V.A.'s Office of National Veteran Sports Programs and Special Events provides veterans with the opportunity for specialized, rehabilitative, adaptive sporting, and creative arts events. These unique events are designed to foster independence, strengthen the community involvement, and improve the overall quality of life for veterans living with disabilities. Through direct programming, adaptive sport grants, and training stipends for veteran Paralympic athletes, our country provides veterans recovering from injury as they build new strengths, compete as teammates within a new community, and engage in healthy living through tailored athletic and rehabilitation events. America's service members and veterans are a testament to our nation's strength, resiliency, and determination, and we see that in the veteran athletes competing in V.A. adaptive sporting events or training to our nation in international competitions as part of Team USA. As the 2026 Winter Olympics and Para... Olympics and Paralympic Games approach in Milan. I want to wish Team USA, especially the veteran athletes representing our nation, every success as they compete. Their dedication and perseverance inspire Americans, inspire the world, inspire other veterans. We're proud to cheer them on. Today, we're honored to welcome two veteran adaptive sport athletes who will share their journeys and how adaptive sports supported their path from rehabilitation to elite competition. I look forward to hearing your stories, discussing the roles these programs play in veterans' health and healing. I particularly look forward to hearing about how we can make sure that these opportunities are available to all veterans that could benefit from this program. My script says I should yield to the ranking member at this moment, but I'm going to introduce the witnesses and we're going to proceed. Testifying on this panel is Gabriel George, the Director of Pickleball at Military Adaptive Court Sports and Adaptive Sports Ambassador. Elizabeth Smith, U.S. Navy Aviation Maintenance Administration man. Let me say that different, administration man. Retired. And Julie Howell, Associate Legislative Director for Paralyzed Veterans of America. I'd also like to acknowledge Mason Simons, a Paralympian medalist, current team member of USA, member and ambassador at Oscar Mike Foundation, who unfortunately could not join us today due to an injury he recently sustained. His testimony will be made a part of the record and we wish him a very speedy recovery and thank all of you, all of you for being here this afternoon. Let me give Senator Blumenthal a moment to turn the page and then I recognize him for his opening statement.
Blumenthal, Richard: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologize for my lateness. I went to our other hearing room, but I'm glad to be here and thank the...