E 1932 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 12, 1995 and ``Exodus,'' which sold over a million cop- information to American consumers. I ask my ‘‘I’m back to my old self again!’’ she re- ies. As a distinguished pedagogue, he has colleagues to join me in making this common- joiced. written seven books on music and taught in sense change to the Federal Meat Inspection Because Lucille couldn’t stay in the hos- pital to continue intravenous treatment, I Detroit, Chicago, New Orleans, and through- Act. tried to get the drug in pill form. That was out Europe. f my first battle with the FDA. Eddie Harris was born in Chicago where he Dr. Summers had been trying to get per- discovered his love for music by playing piano ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS NEED mission to treat people with oral THA for and singing with gospel choirs. He soon ex- FDA REFORM several years, but had no success. After two tended his musical studies to the vibraphone, years of pleading with and cajoling the FDA, the clarinet, and the saxophone and later trav- HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR. interventions by my Congressman, and, fi- OF TENNESSEE nally, a letter to President Reagan, the per- eled widely with the 7th Army Symphony mission came through for Dr. Summers to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Band. His saxophone, piano, and experi- give Lucille THA in pill form under a ‘‘com- mentalism with synthesizers and trumpets Thursday, October 12, 1995 passionate IND (investigational new drug)’’. thrust him into international spotlight as an in- Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Lucille was the first patient to get THA in novative and creative symbol of jazz where he share with my colleagues an article written by pill form. She continued to improve and we had five good years together before the dis- remains today. my constituent, Alzheimer's activist George Once called a musical Michelangelo, Harris ease progressed to the point where she had to Rehnquist of Knoxville, TN. Mr. Rehnquist is a earned a reputation by experimenting with dif- enter a nursing home. retired Tennessee Valley Authority engineer THA is a palliative—not a cure—for Alz- ferent playing techniques, most notably by ex- and founder of the Families for Alzheimer's heimer’s. But for Alzheimer’s patients and ploring the possibilities of electronic saxo- Rights Association. their families, THA is the only thing that of- phone amplification. His interests are as broad One of the most wasteful, bureaucratic fers any hope at all. THA gave Lucille and as his talents, and he is known for his influ- agencies in the Federal Government today is me more than five good years together. That ence on funk and for the revolutionary impact the FDA. They have delayed approval for should be all the evidence of effectiveness FDA needs. Patients with terminal diseases of his introduction of rock music into jazz fu- medicines for sometimes up to years to the sion. I am pleased that Legends of Jazz is should be able to make their own decisions detriment of the health of American citizens. about whether or not a drug works. honoring this great musical force who holds Mr. Rehnquist's personal experience with Once Lucille entered a nursing home, she well-deserved respect and admiration. drug research brings awareness to the need- had to stop taking the drug. The reason: the f less deaths caused by FDA's senseless delay nursing home could not give her a drug that of approval on vital medicines. I agree that hadn’t been approved by the FDA. She de- LEGISLATION AMENDING THE Congress should no longer tolerate this prac- clined steadily. FEDERAL MEAT INSPECTION ACT Meanwhile—after an article by Dr. Sum- tice. mers was published in The New England ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS NEED FDA REFORM Journal of Medicine—the medical commu- HON. TIM JOHNSON (By George D. Rehnquist) nity and the families of Alzheimer’s patients OF SOUTH DAKOTA If officials of the Food and Drug Adminis- clamored for the FDA to approve THA. But IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tration (FDA) had to take care of an Alz- the FDA kept throwing blockades. The agen- Thursday, October 12, 1995 heimer’s patient 24 hours a day, 7 days a cy bashed Dr. Summers’ research and cited week, month after month and year after danger of liver damage (which was benign Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. Speak- year, the medicine my wife needed would and reversible). The agency also claimed er, I am pleased today to introduce legislation have been approved in record time. As it was, that the medicine wasn’t effective, although that would require that imported meat and the FDA tied the medicine up in red tape the families of patients who had been helped meat food products containing imported meat until tens of thousands of Alzheimer’s pa- by it knew better. be labeled as such and that certain eating es- tients who could have been helped by the Finally, after six years of hearings and red tape, the FDA approved the medicine in late tablishments serving imported meat inform medicine had died. Congress is considering legislation to reform this agency to make it 1993. If the agency had acted more quickly, it customers of that fact. more responsive to the needs of patients. could have helped many people and saved America's livestock producers are proud of Hopefully, Congress will stop FDA from millions of dollars by enabling families to their record of producing quality meat and playing God with the lives of terminally-ill take care of Alzheimer’s patients at home in- meat food products from American raised live- patients. stead of in nursing homes. stock. While labeling products from other in- My wife, Lucille, was diagnosed with Alz- THA, now known by the brand-name dustries for country of origin is commonplace, heimer’s disease in 1981, but her symptoms Cognex, is now available by prescription and imported meat and meat food products con- began before that, in 1970. She was in her should help many patients have a better quality of life. It is not a cure, but I am con- taining imported meat are not labeled at all. early fifties when she began to get lost on shopping outings. She had to stop playing cerned that when a cure is finally developed With the passage of the Canadian Free Trade bridge, because she couldn’t remember what it, too, will get tied up in red tape. Agreement, NAFTA, and GATT, we are mov- cards had been played. She also had to leave The way drug development and regulation ing toward more imported meat. Exports of her secretarial job at the Tennessee Valley works now, it takes nearly 15 years between American meat are high quality, value added Authority because the work was getting too the time a drug is developed and the time it items that American exporters are proud to confusing for her, and she complained that is available at the pharmacy. Sick people— advertise as American produced. On the other she felt like she was in a continuous daze. particularly people with Alzheimer’s dis- ease—can’t wait that long. For the sake of hand, meat imports into the United States tend When we got the Alzheimer’s diagnosis—at Duke University Medical Center—I was shat- people waiting for cures for this and other to be of lower quality and importers generally tered. There was no medicine, no cure. They diseases, Congress must act now to change do not advertise the country of origin. told me she might not know me in a year, the way the FDA operates. I think that American consumers deserve to and that I wouldn’t be able to take care of In my struggle with the FDA, I have found know the source of their meat and meat food her—I’d have to put her in a nursing home. rude bureaucrats who were arbitrary and ca- products. Because imported meat tends to be Determined to help my wife, I took early pacious. I believe this come from wielding nongrain-fed beef that is lower in quality, it is retirement so I could take care of her in our absolute power for too long. I believe that doubtful that consumers will learn the source home. I also read everything I could about the power of FDA must be reduced, not ex- panded as President Clinton now desires. of such meat from vendors. the disease, and called up people who were doing research. When I read a report that Dr. f The legislation that I am introducing will William K. Summers was having some suc- allow America's consumers to know the cess with an experimental intravenous drug LUTHERAN BROTHERHOOD source of their meat and meat food products. called THA, or tetrahydroaminoacridine. I SERVES COMMUNITIES ACROSS Considering that food safety and the wisdom contacted him immediately. AMERICA of production systems in other countries are Dr. Summers agreed to treat Lucille, and concerns that consumers consistently have, we flew to California. After four days of HON. JAMES A. BARCIA this legislation allows the competitive free mar- treatment, the change was miraculous, Lu- cille came out of her daze and even baked OF MICHIGAN ket to determine the prices and demand for brownies for Dr. Summers. When she took a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES imported meat and meat food products. orientation test, she got 9 out of 12 answers Thursday, October 12, 1995 Mr. Speaker, I am certain that you and the correct—compared to only one out of 12 be- rest of my colleagues would agree that it is in fore treatment with the drug. She could Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, today I want to the interest of free enterprise to provide solid drive and do housework. publicly salute and give thanks to Lutheran October 12, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1933 Brotherhood, which has been doing outstand- form of government is probably the best form mission bill. President Herbert Hoover ve- ing work in the area of voluntarism throughout of government yet devised, it still does not toed the bill. A short time later Governor the United States and in Michigan since 1917. solve the ongoing problem of people with Franklin Roosevelt of New York was elected Lutheran Brotherhood is a religious fraternal President of the United States. Before he power taking advantage of the power for what- took office he called Senator McKellar and benefit society that embraces values often ig- ever purpose they choose. invited him to ride down to Wilson Dam with nored in these modern times, but which are f him to make a speech. Senator McKellar ac- essential to creating a society that values peo- cepted the invitation and was given the time ple and takes care of one another in our time TULLAHOMA REMEMBERS and train schedule. of need. I am talking about old-fashioned vir- KENNETH DOUGLAS McKELLAR Senator McKellar boarded the President’s tues like philanthropy, voluntarism, Christian car along with some other folks. On the way fellowship, and self-reliance. With over 1 mil- down the President elect moved over to the HON. BOB CLEMENT opposite side of the car and motioned for lion volunteers nationwide, Lutheran Brother- OF TENNESSEE McKellar to follow. Roosevelt informed him hood is able to reach millions of individuals at IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that he did not like the McKellar bill. the grassroots level, and make a positive dif- McKellar responded by beating on his desk. ference in their lives. At this time, I would like Thursday, October 12, 1995 While he was governor, Roosevelt said, New to properly acknowledge these volunteers for Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, the late Sen- York had passed a seaport authority bill and their incredible enthusiasm and diligence in ator Kenneth McKellar touched many lives in he liked the word ‘‘authority.’’ Roosevelt helping others. Tennessee. Senator McKellar was a strong suggested that the McKellar bill be renamed Through its Friends in Deed and Care and the ‘‘Tennessee Valley Authority’’ bill, and leader who was deeply respected and fondly Senator McKellar agreed. Share programs, Lutheran Brotherhood helps remembered by Tennesseans across the Roosevelt then told him that Senator the poor and needy find shelter, food, and State. Mr. Woodrow R. Davidson, a long-time George Norris had been soft on him during clothing. The organization is also active in pro- resident of the city of Tullahoma, wanted to the last election and he would like to have viding disaster relief assistance to commu- share with the American people some of the Norris in his corner next time. Geaorge Nor- nities across the country, including families stories Senator McKellar would tell his con- ris was a western Senator, and a Republican. whose homes were devastated by the river stituents from Tullahoma. Senator McKellar beat on his desk again, but floodings across the Midwest, and in the after- agreed. It was never known how, but Lester KENNETH DOUGLAS MCKELLAR Hill of Alabama got ahold of Senator math of the Oklahoma city bombing. Kenneth Douglas McKellar was born in Finally, Lutheran Brotherhood has found McKellar’s bill and changed one thing—the Richmond, Dallas County, Alabama but headquarters would be at Muscle Shoals, enormous success in its RespecTeen pro- moved to Tennessee in 1892. He returned to Alabama. The bill passed, but for some rea- gram, which gives young people a healthy and Alabama for a law degree at the University son the annual reports, though headlined in encouraging environment in which to grow and of Alabama graduating in 1918. Being a Muscle Shoals, were always made up and prosper. The RespecTeen service projects young man and hearing so much about the printed in Knoxville, Tennessee. Senator work in tandem with the RespecTeen program glitter of gold and women in California, he McKellar became carried away with all this, by encouraging teens to get involved in their was headed in that direction. and though all appropriations bills originate communities and perform volunteer work. The But California was not to be. His family in the House of Representatives, he was re- sent McKellar a ticket for a ride to Memphis, Speak for Yourself program, which encour- peatedly able to add enough to a bill to start Tennessee. His mother tried to persuade him another dam or to finish one he had begun ages 8th grade students to learn about and not to go to California, but to no avail. She the year before. participate in the American political process, is made an appointment with a lawyer in Mem- The President sent word to Senator one example of RespecTeen. phis and pushed him into going to see him. McKellar to come down to the White House Lutheran Brotherhood's Saginaw Valley This old lawyer had a stand up desk unit in for a conference. There he explained the need Branch No. 8186 has been especially active in his office with a tilted top for his law books, for the U.S. to start an endeavor to split the making our community a better place to live. but he was lying under it with some books atom. He could not send a request to Con- In particular, they have given their resources under his head when McKellar arrived. gress for fear the enemy would somehow ob- to Valley Lutheran High School, Camp Lu Lay Forced to sit on the floor to meet with him, tain information and start research of their he and the old lawyer talked until he was own. Roosevelt felt that as Chairman of the Lea and the Lutheran Child and Family Serv- persuaded to stay and practice law in Mem- Senate Appropriations Committee McKellar ice, among other organizations. In total, Lu- phis. might quietly obtain funds for such a pur- theran Brotherhood's financial contributions to A few years and a pot of money later, pose. After some discussion he asked Senator the Saginaw area for 1994 reached $30,000. McKellar traveled to Atlantic City for a va- McKellar his opinion of the proposal. The I am very grateful to have such a dynamic and cation. One day he was in the lobby of a Senator thoughtfully inquired into the pro- committed group like Lutheran Brotherhood in hotel when a Memphis man showed up at the posed location of this work. The President my district and proud to recognize their register desk and told McKellar he had heard replied ‘‘any damn place you want it’’. Sen- achievements today. the man running for Congress say that the ator McKellar called the Committee to- only person who could beat him was gether to explain the need for war money f McKellar. McKellar turned around, walked without letting information leak out to warn THE IRONY OF SRI LANKA over to the telegraph station and sent a wire our enemy, and they went along. That was to his brother in Memphis, telling him to an- the start of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. nounce him as a candidate. He was elected, When General Hap Arnold flew back to the HON. BARBARA-ROSE COLLINS and served three terms before moving up to United States from the war zone in Europe, OF MICHIGAN the U.S. Senate. he reported to President Truman that the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES During all his travels over Tennessee he war was about to end in our favor, but he felt found many companies in Knoxville and we would lose the next one. He calmed the Thursday, October 12, 1995 Chattanooga loading barges of products only President down by explaining that we had Miss COLLINS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I to have them sit in the river near Muscle captured some of the enemy territory and rise to point out how ironic it was just this past Shoals, Alabama waiting for a rain so as to found that they were experimenting with week, that this House would commend the Sri allow the boats down river. He made an ap- wind tunnels. The President called Senator Lankan Government for its commitment to de- pointment with President Woodrow Wilson McKellar to the White House for a discussion mocracy, and that we would declare our belief to discuss the possibility of the U.S. becom- of the Arnold report and said he would like ing involved in war with Germany, and the funds to start testing with wind tunnel fa- that a political solution which guarantees ap- resulting need for gun powder. The president cilities of our own. The President advised propriate constitutional structures and ade- talked with his advisors and found this to be him about the funds necessary for such a quate protection of minority rights is the best a fact. McKellar told him he knew just the test, and asked McKellar his opinion of the method for resolving their disputes, when at place for a dam to produce the necessary gun idea and the possibility of obtaining funds the same time, this very legislative body rou- powder. He told the President about Muscle for this purpose. McKellar thought for a mo- tinely steamrolls over the rights of minorities, Shoals, Alabama on the Tennessee River. ment and asked the President where he senior citizens, and the poor. The most power- The dam was built, named Wilson Dam, and would build such a facility. The reply . . . ful segments of our society in general run accomplished both objectives. ‘‘any damn place you want it’’. Again McKellar was so proud of this that he pre- McKellar called his committee together and roughshod over those same so-called rights pared a bill to authorize the construction of advised them of the need to do some testing supposedly granted to the minorities of this other dams along the Tennessee River, which and about how much money would be needed. country under our own Constitution. he called the Tennessee Commission. After They agreed and passed a bill authorizing Maybe someone should tell the Sri Lankans many years working with Congress he was fi- and appropriating funds for this purpose. that even though a democratic, constitutional nally able to pass the Tennessee Valley Com- That, of course, was the start of the Arnold