April 22, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E639 THE CONGRESSIONAL YOUTH AD- his retirement from service.—Anita sary. It is the vision, innovation, and commit- VISORY COUNCIL: A LEGACY OF Chandrahas ment of Health that continually en- SERVICE f hances the lives of our citizens and builds a TRIBUTE TO DENVER HEALTH better future for Coloradoans and for all Amer- HON. SAM JOHNSON icans. OF TEXAS f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. DIANA DeGETTE OF HONORING TAYLOR MILLS AS A Thursday, April 22, 2010 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STUDENT LEADER Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Thursday, April 22, 2010 Speaker, I ask my fellow colleagues to join me HON. JOHN BOOZMAN Ms. DEGETTE. Madam Speaker, along with in congratulating the 2009–2010 Congres- OF ARKANSAS Representative , I would like sional Youth Advisory Council. This year 45 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES students from public, private, and home to recognize the exceptional endeavors and schools in grades 9 through 12 made their notable undertakings of an extraordinary pub- Thursday, April 22, 2010 voices heard and made a difference in their lic hospital system in Denver, Colorado. It is Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to communities, their country and their Congress. fitting and proper that we recognize this out- honor Taylor Mills, a student leader at the Uni- These students volunteered their time, effort, standing institution for its innovation in the versity of Arkansas. and talent to inform me about the important health care field and for its enduring service to A dedicated student and an active indi- issues facing their generation. As young lead- care for the people of our state. It is to com- vidual, Taylor Mills has quickly distinguished ers within their communities and their schools, mend this outstanding and distinguished insti- himself as an influential leader among the stu- these students boldly represent the promise tution that we rise to honor Denver Health on dents of the University of Arkansas. He has and the hope we all have for their very bright the occasion of its 150th Anniversary. served in various leadership positions around future. Since 1860, Denver Health has been pro- campus, such as the president of the Red President Ronald Reagan said, ‘‘Freedom is viding essential, quality health care services Cross, vice president of Hogs for Haiti, and as never more than one generation away from for the metropolitan area. It is astonishing to the president of One World RSO. Maintaining extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in think about what an integral role Denver his motivation to be a well rounded individual, the bloodstream. It must be fought for, pro- Health has played over the last 150 years. It Mills conducts research for the Terrorism Re- tected, and handed on for them to do the has been a community institution since Abra- search Center as well as serves as the intern same, or one day we will spend our sunset ham Lincoln was elected President; sixteen coordinator for Winrock International. All of years telling our children and our children’s years before Colorado even became a state. this has culminated in his nomination as Stu- children what it was once like in the United Denver Health has been here since the days dent Leader of the Week. States where men were free.’’ of duels and horse-drawn ambulances; since Taylor Mills serves as an inspiration for all To ensure that the blessing of freedom is before the Civil War even began. The hospital of us, showing what hard work and dedication passed from one generation to the next, the began in a small log cabin and has trans- can lead to. I have seen his hard work first members of the CYAC spent time interviewing formed into the extraordinary institution we hand as an intern in my office and am proud a veteran and documenting the experience for know today, serving twenty-five percent of of what he has accomplished. I believe this the ‘‘Preserving History Project.’’ Today I’m Denver residents and one in every three Den- man is capable of great things not only for the proud to submit the brief summaries provided ver children. Last year alone, Denver Health State of Arkansas, but also for the entirety of so the patriotic service of our dedicated vet- provided approximately $350 million in uncom- the United States. Thank you, Taylor Mills, for erans and the thoughtful work of the CYAC pensated care to the uninsured and medically all you have done at your time at the Univer- may be preserved for antiquity in the CON- needy. sity of Arkansas and all you will continue to GRESSIONAL RECORD. A copy of each sub- The first sentence in Denver Health’s mis- do. We look forward to seeing what you will mitted student summary follows. sion statement is a testament to its commit- accomplish. To each member of the Congressional ment to the health of our citizens. It reads: f Youth Advisory Council, thank you for making ‘‘Provide access to the highest quality health this year and this group a success. It is not a care, whether for prevention, or acute and HONORING REVEREND JAMES coincidence that this congressional tribute chronic diseases regardless of ability to pay.’’ COFFEE celebrates two generations of service. Each of Serving as the safety-net provider for the com- you is trusted with the precious gift of free- munity, Denver Health faces obstacles year HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY dom. after year as the uninsured population con- OF CALIFORNIA You are the voices of the future and I salute tinues to increase. Denver Health’s pioneering IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES you. God bless you and God bless America. leadership has been innovative in developing The summary follows: tools to reduce cost, curb waste, and improve Thursday, April 22, 2010 As a 1st rank navel veteran, Mr. Harvey F. quality for our most vulnerable populations. Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I rise with Spears has had many awe-inspiring experi- In addition to its role as our primary safety- sadness today to honor a man who was a ences. In particular he was involved in law net hospital, Denver Health provides a number dear friend to me and a giant in our commu- enforcement and weapons control in his mili- of other services to the surrounding commu- nity. Reverend James Coffee of Santa Rosa, tary career, which lasted 20 years. In the Navy, he was the Command Master in Arms nities and region. Denver Health operates the California, passed away April 6, 2010, at the (CMAA) and was involved in the Navy Secu- city’s school based health centers, Denver’s age of 76, after a life that touched thousands rity Guard. He comes from a history of fam- 911 emergency response system, provides of lives. He will be deeply missed. ily serving their country through various as- correctional facility care, and houses the Den- Raised in Oklahoma when segregation was pects of the military. He helped found the ver Public Health Department. Denver Health the rule of the day, Rev. Coffee moved to the Veterans Association just before graduating also serves the surrounding region by housing San Francisco Bay Area as a teenager. He from the University of North Texas in Den- the regional Rocky Mountain Poison Control was first invited to be the pastor of Community ton, Texas; currently, Mr. Spears is the Center, Rocky Mountain Center for Medical Baptist Church in Santa Rosa in 1962 while president of the Veterans Association at UNT, which helps veterans gaining an edu- Response and the Rocky Mountain Regional studying at Golden Gate Baptist Seminary in cation at the University of North Texas to Trauma Center. Denver Health is truly a sys- Mill Valley. A year later, he accepted the posi- fully access all the resources available to tem of integrated care. tion and took on a small congregation of 15 them. Denver Health’s physicians, leadership, and African American members. I absolutely enjoyed talking to him and re- medical professionals have received an array Rev. Coffee was engaged in the civil rights alized that he had been through much that of local and national accolades for their inno- struggles of those times, including the 1956 even I could learn from. I was also amazed at vation and commitment to achieving the high- Montgomery bus boycott where he met Rev. how many places he has been to, seeing as I have never been outside the country. Ulti- est quality of patient care. Denver Health Martin Luther King, Jr. Racial tensions existed mately, I admire his leadership ability to leads the way in innovation and improvement in Sonoma County also. In 1985 the church create an organization for veterans as an in quality and efficiency. was damaged in a fire that Rev. Coffee be- alumnus of the university and still play a Please join me in commending Denver lieved to be arson, possibly because of his prominent role in his community, even after Health on the occasion of its 150th Anniver- stand against apartheid and his success in

VerDate Nov 24 2008 04:28 Apr 23, 2010 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A22AP8.064 E22APPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with REMARKS E640 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 22, 2010 persuading the Board of Supervisors to with- of my colleagues the work of Take Stock in With regards to education, Israel has the draw investments in South Africa. Many in the Children. This organization offers extraordinary highest ratio of university degrees in the world, community rallied around the church, contrib- educational and mentoring programs for dis- so it is no surprise that Israel has become a uting time and money to the repairs and later advantaged youth throughout the state of Flor- leader in the health, science, and technology to the building of a new church. ida. fields. In fact, many of the technologies we Reverend Coffee always persevered in his Enrolling students as early as sixth grade, rely upon in the United States were actually vision of a society where everyone could real- Take Stock in Children offers each child a col- developed in Israel such as the cell phone, ize his or her full potential. With love and an lege tuition scholarship, a volunteer mentor, a computer operation systems, and voicemail open heart, he acted on his principles. With case manager, and long-term support. The technology. As a result of these technological the support and assistance of his wife Vivian, children in the program sign performance con- developments Israel has developed a $100 bil- his family, and his many friends made over tracts agreeing to get good grades; exhibit lion economy, which is larger than the com- the years, he worked inclusively to break positive behavior and; remain drug and crime bined economies of all its immediate neigh- down the barriers between races and promote free. bors. the greater good. Through their programs, Take Stock in Chil- Therefore, I rise today to celebrate Israel’s He was particularly concerned with the com- dren aims to reduce the number of high Independence and to pay my respects to munity’s youth, mentoring young people, pro- school drop-outs and increase the number of those who have lost their lives defending the viding scholarships, and joining with others to students who finish college and enter the nation they loved. Although the State of Israel establish and promote programs such as Rites workforce successfully. Since its inception in has experienced more than its fair share of of Passage (with Shirley Gordon) which teach- 1995, Take Stock in Children has served over trying times, it has never lost sight of the es teens that they can attend college and be- 16,000 children in 67 of Florida’s counties, noble ideals upon which the state was found- come leaders. These activities have given graduating 92 percent of its scholars in com- ed: freedom, justice, equality and peace. young people the hope and the support that parison with the state average of 65 percent. f keeps them out of gangs and on the path or In my home county of Broward, over 900 low promise. income students have received scholarships CELEBRATION OF ELIZABETH Rev. Coffee also founded or participated in since 1996, with 550 volunteer mentors meet- EVELYN WRIGHT DAY a wide variety of civic organizations and could ing with the students at their schools every be found bringing people together for a wide week. HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. variety of social issues. From the Bridge Build- I would like to congratulate the 72 Take OF GEORGIA ers Organization (to promote racial reconcili- Stock in Children senior scholars who will be IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ation), 100 Black Men of Sonoma County, graduating and the 85 new scholars who will Race Equality Week, and Citizens Against Do- be entering the program next week in Broward Thursday, April 22, 2010 mestic Violence to the Salvation Army Advi- County. They join students graduating from Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I sory Board and Citizens for Balanced Trans- around the state, 88 percent of which are first portation, Rev. Coffee’s presence and energy rise today to celebrate Elizabeth Evelyn Wright generation college-going students, empowered Day, which will be commemorated this year on were a catalyst for the whole the community. by the financial and moral support that this im- In 1981, he co-founded Santa Rosa’s Martin April 24th, in Talbotton, Georgia. Ms. Wright portant program has provided over their high Luther King, Jr. birthday celebration (with Car- was an incredible woman. Her passion to in- ole Ellis and Mary Moore) which continues to school career. spire and educate the disenfranchised burned I am proud today to honor the important inspire youth and bring people together. In within, and her internal fire was often chal- work that Take Stock in Children continues to 2004, he had the honor of meeting King’s son, lenged by actual fire. She survived several do paving the way to better lives for many dis- Martin Luther King III who spoke at a Sonoma arson attacks, yet remained undeterred. The advantaged children and helping them pursue County Human Rights Commission event at flames of hatred were no match for the lamp which the first of a new series of awards were the American dream of a college education. of knowledge. presented—the Reverend James E. Coffee f Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was born April 3, Human Rights Awards. HONORING ISRAELI 1872, in Talbotton, Georgia. She was raised in Rev. Coffee himself earned many awards INDEPENDENCE DAY a poverty-stricken area of Talbotton known as throughout his years of service. He appre- ‘‘Smith Hill.’’ As a child, she was persistent in ciated these acknowledgements, yet the great- SPEECH OF her educational endeavors. At St. Phillip’s est honors for him were the light of under- HON. AME Church, she studied reading, writing, and standing in a teen’s eyes, the dialogue across arithmetic, and her scholastic excellence was OF TENNESSEE a racial barrier, and the legacy of love and ac- quickly recognized by her professors. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tivism. He leaves a Community Baptist Church To realize her potential, Wright then enrolled that is multi-cultural with 500 active members Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where she who will carry on his work. Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to worked in the cafeteria during the day and at- He is survived by his wife Vivian; his chil- celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the founding tended classes at night. With the aid of Olivia dren James Jr., Shirley, and Yvette; three of the State of Israel, our friend and partner. Washington, wife of Booker T. Washington grandchildren; one great grandchild; and After a process that began with the Balfour who was then Principal of Tuskegee Institute, countless friends who will mourn him and be Declaration, the Mandate of the League of Na- Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was able to attend inspired by his example. tions and generations of struggling to regain daytime classes. She became close with the Madam Speaker, I am one of those many their homeland, the United Nations passed a Washington family, and was affectionately friends and I will miss him every day. To me, resolution on November 29, 1947 giving Israel known as ‘‘Lizzie.’’ Mrs. Washington inspired the Reverend James Coffee, has been the the right to exist as a state. On May 14, 1948, Lizzie to use her exceptional talents to edu- perfect embodiment of one of his favorite Israel signed a proclamation creating the State cate underprivileged African-American chil- sayings: ‘‘Make a difference one day at a of Israel, establishing it as a country that will dren. time.’’ Reverend Coffee did make a dif- ‘‘ensure complete equality of social and polit- During her senior year of college, Wright ference—with strength and persistence, humor ical rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of was approached by Almira Steele, a white and compassion—every day of his life. religion, race or sex.’’ That same night, the trustee at Tuskegee who knew of Lizzie’s stel- f United States officially recognized Israel as a lar academic reputation. She asked Lizzie to IN HONOR OF TAKE STOCK IN sovereign nation. move to McNeill, , to teach. In CHILDREN GRADUATION AND Despite its unfortunate history of violence, 1892, taking a hiatus from school, Lizzie real- CONTRACT SIGNING 2010 the State of Israel has established itself as a ized her dream of educating African-American world leader and a nation millions of Jews are children and became inspired to open her own proud to have as their homeland. Considering school. HON. that Israel is the hundredth smallest country in In 1893, the McNeill School burned to the OF FLORIDA the world with less than one thousandth of the ground due to a hate-fueled attack. Witnessing IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES world’s population, what Israel has been able this injustice inspired Lizzie to return to Thursday, April 22, 2010 to accomplish is truly remarkable. What sepa- Tuskegee to graduate. She resumed teaching Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam rates Israel from almost every other country is in McNeill, this time, at her own school. Never- Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention its truly innovative and entrepreneurial nature. theless, the flames of hatred burned again as

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