10176 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 154, Pt. 7 May 21, 2008 worried about global warming are still driv- ups and lifts weights daily. That is veterans have lost a powerful voice ing to work every day. They come home to more physical activity than most men that will be sorely missed.∑ heated and air conditioned homes, turn on my age and even younger! f their 42-inch flat panel television while get- Today, before Memorial Day, I ask ting their meal delivered by a college fresh- TRIBUTE TO LAUREL ZAKS 3 you to join me in honoring Mr. Buckles man in a fuel-efficient ⁄4-ton four-wheel ∑ Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, today I drive vehicle so they don’t have to crank up for all he has done for his country. The one of those double ovens and hear the latest debt paid by Mr. Buckles and his fellow wish to honor in the RECORD of the news about climate change. Recently a soldiers on behalf of future generations Senate Laurel Zaks, an incredibly dedi- weather event caused a power outage in must never be forgotten. His life epito- cated and universally beloved and re- Arnold’s state and not once did I hear him mizes patriotism and dedication to our spected civil servant who died on Fri- say, ‘‘thank goodness, now we can start to do nation. His incredible individual day, March 28, 2008. Laurel was a public something meaningful about man caused achievements and sacrifices, along health adviser at the Centers for Dis- global warming.’’ ease Control and Prevention in At- Politicians and proponents of global warm- with those of his fellow ‘‘doughboys,’’ deserve our ongoing admiration and lanta, GA, with more than 14 years ing only want to personally do something international and domestic work expe- about global warming if it doesn’t mean a thanks.∑ rience as a nutritionist. cold house in the winter or a hot one in the f summer. Health clubs will still be needed be- Laurel started her career in 1992 as a cause people won’t walk to work and will REMEMBERING ELWOOD ‘‘WOODY’’ nutritionist in Bucharest, Romania, need to get some exercise somewhere. And LECHAUSSE with the Free Romania Foundation pine forests will grow old, die and burn while ∑ Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I wish cross-training staff in three orphanages folks feel good about their bamboo floors. today to honor the life and service of with medical clinics in health and nu- Thinking all along that they are getting trition issues. She then took a position their cake and eating it too. Elwood Lechausse of Manchester, CT, who died on Saturday May 17, 2008. Mr. as a community developer in Pop Wuj, f Lechausse, known to many as Quetzeltenango, Guatemala, teaching ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ‘‘Woody,’’ enlisted in the U.S. Army in primary health prevention strategies. 1958, the day after his 18th birthday, She returned to the United States in and served with distinction in the 101st 1996 where she developed and commu- TRIBUTE TO FRANK WOODRUFF Airborne Division in both Turkey and nicated policy and legislative strategy BUCKLES South Vietnam. on domestic hunger for Congress and ∑ Mr. BOND. Mr. President, one of the Mr. Lechausse’s service to his coun- lobbied Congress on nutrition programs most distinguished Americans living try did not end with his departure from involving welfare reform. While in today is Mr. FRANK Woodruff Buckles. the military in 1965. Following his hon- Washington, she also served as a pedi- Born in Bethany, MO, on February 1, orable discharge from the Army, Mr. atric dietitian with the Children’s Na- 1901, 2 years before Orville and Wilbur Lechausse dedicated himself to sup- tional Medical Center working on ini- Wright made their historic first flight, porting his fellow veterans. For over 35 tial and followup nutritional assess- Mr. Buckles, now 107, is the last living years, Mr. Lechausse was a tireless ad- ments of HIV/AIDS and gastro- U.S. World War I veteran. He is truly a vocate for veterans issues, serving in intestinal disease patients. In 1997, Laurel joined the Peace Corps national treasure: Of the 2 million sol- leadership positions in more than two volunteering in Ecuador, where she diers the United States sent to France dozen veterans organizations, including used her training as a dietitian to work in World War I, he is the lone survivor. serving as a senior member of the De- with the Ministry of Health and indige- His life story is nothing short of partment of Veterans Affairs Board of nous organizations to develop training amazing. In 1917, Mr. Buckles told his Trustees and the Secretary and Treas- materials promoting maternal and Army recruiter he was 21 years old and urer of the Connecticut Veterans Coali- child health and prevention of infec- wanted to go to war. He was really just tion from 1988–2002 and the Department tious diseases. Next Laurel moved to 16. Upon arrival in England, he con- of Connecticut Adjutant of the Dis- the city, Santa Domingo de Los Colo- vinced his superiors to send him for- abled American Veterans. rados, to work at the Center for Mal- ward to France where he would serve Mr. Lechausse worked hard to edu- nourished Children and in local com- as an ambulance driver, carrying cate his fellow Americans on the im- munities where she served as the nutri- wounded allied troops to medical facili- portance of honoring our veterans and tionist/health educator working in an ties. recognizing the challenges they faced. interdisciplinary medical team. During When the war ended, Mr. Buckles was Whether testifying before the U.S. Con- the last 21⁄2 years of her Peace Corps responsible for returning prisoners of gress or speaking in the local class- service, she was instrumental in help- war to Germany. He separated from the room, Mr. Lechausse carried himself ing to design a new $400,000 Children’s Army in 1920 after achieving the rank with a vigor and passion that spoke Center for Nutrition Recuperation, of corporal, but his service to the Na- volumes of his dedication to advo- which served an average of 40 families tion continued as a civilian in the Phil- cating on behalf of his fellow veterans. daily. ippines, where he worked for a U.S. In 2003, Mr. Lechausse was named as Laurel joined CDC in 2001, 1 week shipping company. When the Japanese a Connecticut Treasure for his work on after finishing her Peace Corps tour in took Manila in 1942, Mr. Buckles was behalf of Connecticut’s veterans. In Ecuador. Her enthusiasm for making a made a prisoner of war for the next 39 2007, in recognition of the many lives difference in global health affected all months, until his subsequent rescue by he touched throughout nearly four dec- who knew her. She worked in many the 11th Airborne Division in 1945. ades of service, Mr. Lechausse was in- areas of global health work at CDC, in- During his captivity, he developed ducted into the Connecticut Veterans cluding planning for development of chronic illnesses that still afflict him Hall of Fame. sustainable global public health man- today. But there was no surrender then Mr. Lechausse was a valuable friend agement, planning for a global pan- and there is no surrender today in Mr. of my office, and all of us in Con- demic influenza outbreak, and serving Buckles. necticut owe a deep debt of gratitude as a team member traveling to Bot- Mr. Buckles remains witty and ac- to Mr. Lechausse for his service to both swana in response to an outbreak of in- tive. During a recent interview, he was his country and his fellow veterans. On fant diarrhea and severe malnutrition. asked about the circumstances sur- behalf of the Senate, I offer my most In 2007, she was part of a team honored rounding his questionable enlistment sincere condolences to Mr. Lechausse’s for rapidly assisting 20 countries into the Army. He replied with a wife, Kathryn, his children James and around the world to apply for pandemic chuckle, ‘‘I didn’t lie; nobody calls me Ralph, and all those who were touched influenza preparedness funds. a liar . . . but I may have increased my by his tremendous spirit. With Woody’s Laurel was an active member and age.’’ I also understand he does 50 sit passing, Connecticut and the Nation’s leader in the Atlanta chapter of the

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