April 11, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E763 its prostate cancer education initiative with a warnings to those who take custody of sus- ness in national parks. He and the chairman statewide health event held at 13 separate pects driving while intoxicated. The legislation of the Interior Committee, Mo Udall, worked sites. At these sites, individuals and families also requires the National Traffic Safety Board together to protect 100 million acres of land in will be able to get information and talk to rep- to report to Congress on the number and se- Alaska, the largest in the nation. Mo Udall’s resentatives of the Gallo Center, local health verity of traffic accidents caused by individuals classic description of Phil says it all: ‘‘He un- departments, and other officials. who were released by state and local police screwed the inscrutable.’’ He preserved Amer- In the fight against prostate cancer, it is vi- hours after being charged with DWI and to ica’s natural wonders. tally important that we concentrate on edu- make recommendations on the need for states Among Phil’s great successes was creation cation and screening. Catching the disease to adopt statutes similar to John’s Law. of the nation’s first two urban national parks— early drastically improves the chances of sur- We are making important strides to elimi- the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in viving, and lowers the need for the expensive nate the senseless deaths caused by the le- and Gateway National Recre- treatments used during later stages of the thal mix of alcohol and automobiles. Annual ation Area in New York. The Golden Gate Na- cancer. deaths from drinking and driving have de- tional Recreation Area has become an emer- For those who are diagnosed with prostate creased from approximately 28,000 in 1980 to ald greenbelt stretching north and south of San Francisco along the Pacific coast. cancer, the Gallo Center is New Jersey’s only 16,068 in 2000. In 1982, 57 percent of all traf- The jewel at its center is the Presidio. Phil specialized prostate health resource at a Na- fic fatalities were alcohol-related. In 2000, that Burton, with one sentence, made it possible tional Cancer Institute—the Cancer Institute of percentage fell to 38 percent. However, much for the Presidio to exist as a national park. New Jersey. The Center is also an advanced work remains to be done. Each death is a pre- Years later, Congress created a permanent research facility that transforms laboratory dis- ventable one and I am sure this resolution will management entity, the Presidio Trust, to en- coveries into clinical practice. go a long way in ensuring deaths like Ensign sure that the Presidio would be preserved in Elliott’s are prevented and families are saved While I am glad that New Jersey can rely on perpetuity as Phil intended. from the pain the Elliotts and other families such a world-class facility for prostate cancer The ‘‘empire’’ stretched beyond our conti- across the nation have endured. research and treatment, I am even more nental lands to the Territories where Phil pleased to learn of the Gallo Center’s edu- I urge my colleagues in the House to sup- sought to bring fairness, cultural harmony and cational and outreach efforts. Prostate cancer port this resolution. the American Dream to island populations. is a disease that disproportionately affects el- f And he brought them representation in Con- derly men and African-Americans, and it is gress. Congressman ENI FALEOMAVAEGA, who IN HONOR OF PHILLIP BURTON vital that health care professionals reach out staffed the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs to these populations to inform them of the chaired by Phil Burton, is a Member of Con- warning signs of the disease. HON. gress today because of legislation authored by Again, let me applaud the Gallo Center’s ef- OF Phil to ensure representation to the people of forts to inform and educate New Jersey’s citi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES America’s distant lands. zens about this devastating disease. Phil’s mastery extended beyond the legisla- Thursday, April 10, 2003 f tive arena, and his true artistry was displayed Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, twenty years ago when it came to redistricting. One press ac- INTRODUCING JOHN’S LAW today, our Nation lost a fierce and fearless count described it as ‘‘Phil Burton’s contribu- leader—Phillip Burton, a great Member of tion to modern art.’’ For almost three decades, HON. FRANK A. LoBIONDO Congress from San Francisco. he painted the political landscape of Califor- nians in the House from his palette. OF NEW JERSEY Sometimes profound, often profane, but al- Always central to Phil’s success was a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ways passionate, Phillip Burton was a voice for workers, the poor, the elderly, the disabled strong sense of bipartisanship, which he con- Thursday, April 10, 2003 and a protector of the environment. He turned sidered essential. This was evident in his ef- forts to preserve lands in districts where they Mr. LOBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, in the coming up the volume of those who could only whis- months we will be marking the third anniver- per for help. formed an economic spine for local commu- sary of the tragic death of one of my constitu- Through his work, the world has been en- nities. By providing worker benefits and work- ents. U.S. Navy Ensign John Elliott, who had dowed with a lasting legacy of gifts—the giant ing with Republicans and Democrats, success was possible that benefited not only the short- just received his commission to Naval Flight Redwoods, benefits for black lung sufferers, term existence of a community, but the longer- School in Pensacola, Florida, was struck and better wages for workers, and better term preservation of the environment. In all of killed by a drunk driver on July 22, 2000. The healthcare for the elderly and the disabled. his work, he put the public interest above self- accident instantly killed Elliott and seriously in- Phil Burton believed deeply in the integrity interest, including the self-interests of those jured his passenger, Kristen Hohenwarter. of this institution and its democratic principles who preferred to realize financial gain. of disagreement and debate. One of his first Sadly, it was later discovered that the driver Phil Burton’s career took a detour on the areas of interest was the House Committee on responsible for Elliott’s death had been ar- road to become Speaker. When Phil lost the UnAmerican Activities and its destructive use rested for drunken driving earlier that evening. race for Majority Leader, Speaker Tip O’Neill of this House to undermine the principles for Elliott was on his way home for his mother’s said, ‘‘I never saw a person take defeat so which it stood. He worked successfully to birthday party when he crossed paths with the gracefully . . .’’ He may have lost the per- intoxicated driver. abolish the Committee. sonal battle for Majority Leader, but he was Nearly three years after that tragic accident, Expanding on the openness and fairness he victorious in his broad war to ensure social his parents continue the fight to save other desired for the House of Representatives, he justice and human dignity for all people. families from the grief they have endured. worked to ensure meaningful reforms in the Phil Burton worked every day of his life to Lobbying the New Jersey State Legislature, House so that junior Members were given protect this planet, its people and this place the Elliotts saw to fruition the drafting, pas- early opportunities to share more equally in where we govern. He was not a man of shal- sage and ultimate enactment of John’s Law. the workings of the committees. low interest, but a man of deep and abiding The law ensures that individuals who pick up Phil Burton was a legislative master, cre- commitment to democratic principles. an arrested driver sign a document accepting ating new park lands and protecting lands In his short life, he brought our nation a leg- custody. Additionally, it gives State Police the throughout the country—literally ‘‘from Cali- acy of accomplishment that will outlast our life- authorization to impound the automobile of an fornia to the New York island; from the Red- times and those of our grandchildren. As en- arrested driver for up to 12 hours. wood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters.’’ The during and tangible as the monuments he left Today, I am introducing a bill expressing the Washington Post ran the headline about his to us will be our abiding commitment to the sense of Congress that funding should be work: ‘‘Sun Never Sets on Burton Empire.’’ principles he held in his heart. Years from made available from the Highway Trust Fund In 1978, Phil Burton championed the most now, these generations will not know his to encourage all states to enact legislation to sweeping environmental legislation ever to name, but they will experience his monu- require law enforcement officers to impound pass the Congress, tripling the National Trails mental achievements. motor vehicles of those charged with driving System, doubling the Wild and Scenic Rivers Phil Burton stands as tall as a giant among while intoxicated and to issue responsibility System and more than doubling the wilder- us and as lasting as the great Redwoods.

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