21202 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 16 September 9, 2009 Lesli; and his two grandchildren. I ex- neurodegenerative diseases such as Alz- hollow spin or talking points designed tend my deepest sympathies to his heimer’s, Parkinson’s, vascular demen- to misdirect. He was not interested in family. tia, post traumatic stress disorder, gulf ‘‘gotcha games.’’ Ken Bacon became a Whether he was fighting for our war illness, depression, and other con- Pentagon spokesman because he be- country or fighting for integrity and ditions associated with nerve loss in lieved he had an obligation to inform equality under the law, Judge Robert the brain. the public, and he took that duty seri- Takasugi was undeterred in his efforts Thanks to the Center for Imaging ously. to make America a better place to live. Neurodegenerative Diseases, the It was as Pentagon spokesman that He will be missed by all who knew him. SFVAMC’s three Medical Science Re- Ken first encountered the problem that We take comfort in knowing that fu- search Enhancement Award Programs, would become his defining passion and ture generations will benefit from his and partners such as the Veterans the capstone on his life’s work. In 1999, passion and dedication to justice.∑ Health Research Institute, the he visited a during a trip f SFVAMC is at the forefront of medical to the with Defense Secretary research and is working to extend and . What he saw changed 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAN improve the lives of veterans across the last decade of his life—not to men- FRANCISCO VA MEDICAL CENTER the country. tion the lives of the countless refugees ∑ Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my I applaud the staff and volunteers at he helped. colleagues to join me today in hon- the SFVAMC for the tremendous serv- Ken Bacon was transformed by the oring the San Francisco VA Medical ice they have provided to our veterans plight of those who had lost their Center, SFVAMC, on the occasion of since 1934, and offer my best wishes for homes to war. When he left the Pen- its 75th anniversary. Since its official many more successful years of deliv- tagon, he became President of Refugees dedication on November 11, 1934, the ering care and advancing medical re- International in 2001. SFVAMC has been honoring America’s search. Please join me in celebrating Beneath his intellectual demeanor, veterans by providing them with acces- the 75th Anniversary of the SFVAMC.∑ Ken Bacon always had a sweet side. He sible, quality health care. Today the f fought for people displaced from their center provides state-of-the-art med- homes by war, civil conflict, famine, ical, neurological, surgical, and psy- REMEMBERING KENNETH BACON and drought. This mission gave Bacon’s chiatric care for the more than 310,000 ∑ Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, as an ac- life new meaning, and it gave the ref- veterans living in northern California. complished journalist who served as ugee community a very powerful cham- Were it not for the leadership and spokesman for two Secretaries of De- pion. persistence of Congresswoman Flor- fense, Ken Bacon crafted a unique and Ken Bacon’s stellar reputation, his ence P. Kahn, the SFVAMC might forceful voice. influence in a city that depends on never have come to be. Congresswoman Then, as President of Refugees Inter- known commodities, and his Pentagon Kahn was the first Jewish woman to national, he lent that voice to those credentials proved to be enormously serve in the U.S. Congress, and the who needed it most. helpful in calling attention to the fifth woman ever to serve in Congress. When he died last month, the power- plight of the powerless—including the She was also the first woman to serve ful and the destitute alike lost a trust- humanitarian advocates who struggled on the House Military Affairs Com- ed and beloved friend. to be heard in official Washington. Ba- mittee. In 1930, Congresswoman Kahn Ken Bacon was famously bespec- con’s name and his voice lent legit- made an appeal to the Federal Board of tacled, bow-tied, warm and whip-smart. imacy to causes too easily overlooked Hospitalization—the precursor to the He was someone who commanded your by those accustomed to defining Amer- Veterans Administration—to build a respect and won your affection in equal ica’s mission abroad based on a very veterans hospital in San Francisco. At measure. narrow definition of our security and the time, the only facility for veterans As a young intern, Bacon launched our interests. Ken understood that our in California was in Los Angeles. Con- his journalistic career with a front- shared humanity belonged at the very gresswoman Kahn recognized that vet- page Wall Street Journal story about a center of that conversation—and he erans in the northern part of the state new car repair system that one me- used his unique talents and energy to were in dire need of services, and chanic had called ‘‘the greatest thing ensure that it was. worked tirelessly to garner support for since girls.’’ In the decades that fol- He saw the impressive effort to care building a medical center in San Fran- lowed, he went on to cover the Federal for European refugees in the former cisco. I would like to acknowledge and Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Yugoslavia, and he wanted to ensure honor the work of Congresswoman Commission and the Pentagon. Bacon that it became the rule worldwide—not Kahn, as her efforts have ultimately was also a talented editor who never the exception. Ken visited refugee improved the lives of countless Amer- stopped writing on a dazzlingly wide camps in forgotten corners of the ican veterans. array of topics, from banking reform to world, from Cambodia to . He Today the SFVAMC serves veterans a crack addict’s rehabilitation. In the wanted to make sure that no refugee— in Marin, Napa, Sonoma, Lake, last months of his life, he also wrote anywhere slipped through the cracks. Mendocino, Humboldt, San Mateo, and movingly and pointedly about health Ken Bacon was tireless. Essays, San Francisco counties. The center op- care reform and his struggles with the speeches, press conferences, advocacy erates five community-based out- melanoma that eventually took his he threw himself into his work and ref- patient clinics that provide primary life. ugees everywhere benefitted. and mental health care. These clinics Bacon’s conscientious work earned Ken’s newsroom training and stra- offer a variety of services, including the admiration of those he reported on. tegic thinking often put him ahead of those that place veterans in supportive Defense Secretary fi- the curve. He sounded an early alarm housing, provide case management, and nally convinced him to work from the about the genocide in Darfur. He was offer individual and vocational coun- other side of the podium. Bacon was also a forceful champion for Iraqi refu- seling. unfailingly well-prepared, using the gees—first decrying our neglect, and In addition to providing direct care, same skills that made him a standout then urging on our actions as the State the SFVAMC hosts some of the largest reporter to anticipate reporters’ ques- Department’s funding for Iraqi refugees funded research programs in the Vet- tions and offer satisfyingly detailed an- increased tenfold between 2006 and 2008. erans Health Administration. The Cen- swers. Our sympathies are with Darcy, ter for Imaging of Neurodegenerative He excelled as a spokesman because Ken’s wife of 43 years; with his daugh- Diseases, for example, works to develop he never lost his respect for his former ters Sarah and Katherine, to whom he treatments to prevent the development colleagues or for the truth. When was absolutely devoted, and with his and slow the progression of things got tough, he did not revert to father, brother and two grandchildren.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 09:11 Apr 03, 2012 Jkt 079102 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR09\S09SE9.001 S09SE9 wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD September 9, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 155, Pt. 16 21203 Ken Bacon gave voice to the voiceless. best journalists do, that to be a jour- of that terrible day. We will never for- All who were fortunate enough to know nalist is to bear witness, and that is no get the nearly 3,000 lives lost on Sep- him will miss him greatly. Many who easy task. tember 11, 2001, innocent victims of a never met him have benefitted from his Mark has a special place in the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack work, and many more will continue to hearts and minds of Connecticut citi- on our country. We will be forever do so. zens. He performs an essential service grateful to the countless first respond- Recently, Ken and his wife Darcy that is essential to our democratic and ers and fire fighters who courageously raised the seed money for a new Refu- liberal society. I am proud to have risked their lives to save so many. gees International center to address worked with Mark over the years, to In the wake of such a horrific trag- ‘‘the needs of the tens of millions ex- have shared many of the big moments edy, we came together to share our loss pected to be displaced by climate of my career with him, and now to and seek a greater purpose. Our Nation change.’’ The Ken and Darcy Bacon thank and honor him for his continued was founded on the most enduring val- Center for the Study of Climate Dis- service to Connecticut.∑ ues of freedom, liberty, and oppor- placement will undoubtedly be a valu- f tunity that have made us resilient dur- able voice in raising attention to what ing even the greatest trials. We must REMEMBERING DAVID A. BAKER is poised to become a staggering ref- continue to call on that great strength ugee crisis in the years to come. We ∑ Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I today, even as we continue to grieve only wish that Ken were still with us wish to express my sympathy over the for those we lost. to help us meet this new challenge. loss of Newton, NH, Deputy Fire Chief In West Virginia, we remember Dr. In newsrooms and humanitarian or- David A. Baker. Following more than Paul Ambrose of Barboursville and ganizations, in windswept tent cities five decades of distinguished public Mary Lou Hague of Parkersburg. Their forgotten by most but never forsaken service, Deputy Baker lost his battle lives were taken too soon and their by Ken, an exceptional, exemplary life with cancer. families remain in our hearts and pray- is being retold, mourned, and cele- Deputy Baker exemplified a life lived ers forever. I know that not even time brated.∑ for others. His devotion to the greater can lessen the emptiness and pain they f Newton community could be seen fol- must feel. lowing the crippling ice storm of De- For them, and so many others—par- CONGRATULATING MARK DAVIS cember 2008. Despite suffering from se- ents and children, brothers, sisters, and ∑ Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I vere pain caused by his yet to be dis- friends, loved ones who died so need- would like to offer my sincere con- covered cancer, Deputy Baker was in- lessly—we pledge to keep our people gratulations to Mr. Mark Davis of strumental in coordinating efforts to safe, make our country stronger than Granby, CT, for his 25 years of service help his community respond and re- ever before, and honor their memories in television news on WTNH Channel 8 cover from this major natural disaster. always.∑ in Connecticut. Mark has been ‘‘on the Deputy Baker’s service can be nei- f air’’ throughout our State in a variety ther overstated nor limited to his work of capacities over the years, and we with the Newton Fire Department. MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT honor him today for his generous spirit During the summer, Deputy Baker, Messages from the President of the and his impeccable commitment to im- who also owned a successful tree serv- were communicated to partial and informative journalism. ice business, would close his business the Senate by Mr. Williams, one of his With more than 35 years of broad- to help fight wildfires across the secretaries. casting experience, Mark has taken an United States and Canada in his capac- evenhanded approach to the news that ity as a western wildland firefighter. f he delivers with the kind of ‘‘plain Additionally, he served his State and EXECUTIVE MESSAGES REFERRED talk’’ that engages a broad audience country as a member of the National As in executive session the Presiding across our State. Mark made his first Guard in his younger days. Officer laid before the Senate messages splash in Connecticut with his ac- Deputy Baker was always eager to from the President of the United claimed radio show ‘‘Dial Mark Davis’’ share his loves of fire service and for- States submitting sundry nominations and later as the host of Connecticut’s estry with others. He would often sac- and a treaty which were referred to the first morning news show, ‘‘Good Morn- rifice his own time for the benefit of appropriate committees. ing Connecticut.’’ He has been awarded others. You could often find him help- (The nominations received today are several Emmys throughout his career ing students study for an exam or printed at the end of the Senate pro- and each stands as a testament to his teaching a class on fire attack. Deputy ceedings.) talent and hard work. Baker’s role as a mentor was some- Mark has said one of his favorite thing he held in high esteem, and by f quotes of all time comes from U.S. Su- the number of firefighters and uni- PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS DELIV- preme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell formed personnel who attended his fu- ERED TO A JOINT SESSION OF Holmes, who said that so much in life neral, it is clear that others also had a CONGRESS ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 is more nuanced than it seems because great deal of respect for what he ac- RELATIVE TO HEALTH CARE it is ‘‘determined by the majority and complished. LEGISLATION—PM29 subject to change.’’ This attitude cap- is proud of citizens The PRESIDING OFFICER laid be- tures, in many ways, what makes such as Deputy Chief David Baker, and fore the Senate the following message Mark’s reporting fresh and relevant: his countless actions are worthy of this from the President of the United though we live in a world where con- distinction. He will be missed dearly by States which was which was ordered to stant and often polarized judgments all those who knew him, and his gen- lie on the table: are made, in the end, nearly everyone erosity will be missed by all. and everything is subject to change. I ask my colleagues to join me and To the Congress of the United States: Mark’s careful and nuanced presen- all Americans in honoring Newton, NH, When I spoke here last winter, this tation of the news reminds us of this Deputy Fire Chief David A. Baker.∑ Nation was facing the worst economic important lesson. f crisis since the Great Depression. We Mark Davis is a fairminded and even- were losing an average of 700,000 jobs handed journalist. That is one big rea- REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 per month. Credit was frozen. And our son why Connecticut citizens have ∑ Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, financial system was on the verge of named him the best television reporter 8 years since one of the most dev- collapse. in the State, according to Connecticut astating attacks in our Nation’s his- As any American who is still looking Magazine. Mark understands, as the tory, we still feel the pain and horror for work or a way to pay their bills will

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