ROCKVILLE, Md. (WUSA9)-- Since 1983, the Food and Drug Administration has excluded any men who have sex with men (gay or bisexual) from being blood donors because of a higher risk of HIV infection.  Today, a Health and Human Services committee took testimony on whether this ban is still appropriate, or possibly discriminatory.

Robert Tollefson spoke representing "Banned4Life", an organization that has submitted a petition to lift the ban. Tollefson says, "They need to look at making the screening process more fair."

ROCKVILLE, Md. (WUSA9) -- Msgt. Joe DesLauriers will never forget his service overseas and the wounds he got from them.

"There's almost a grieving period," he said. "You have to get over it and grieve the loss of your limbs and previous life and move on in the next chapter of your life, as an amputee- triple amputee."

On September 23, 2011, Joe was on his fourth deployment in Afghanistan when he stepped on an IED. He lost both legs and most of his arm. He and his wife Lisa spent their first anniversary as husband and wife at Walter Reed National Medical Center, and welcomed their first son Cameron shortly thereafter.

"I had a lot of people praying for me while I was deployed and after, so I am lucky because many people with my injuries have not survived," said the Purple Heart and Silver star recipient.

Joe also will not forget his fellow servicemen and women.