S5474 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 26, 2012 On July 26, 1990, when he signed ADA living with Parkinson’s disease whom yellow ribbon around an oak tree on into law, President George Herbert VA cares for along with Parkinson’s their lawn in Maryland to symbolize Walker Bush spoke with great elo- patients across the world will be better her hope for a safe return for her hus- quence. And I will never forget his final equipped to make informed decisions band and all of the hostages. Penne en- words before taking up his pen. He about their treatment options. couraged others to show their support said, ‘‘Let the shameful wall of exclu- In closing, I commend VA and NIH and determination to be reunited with sion finally come tumbling down.’’ for their efforts to combat a disease their loved ones through the use of yel- Mr. President, today, that wall is in- that affects so many of America’s vet- low ribbons. The original yellow ribbon deed falling. And we must join to- erans. was later donated to the Library of gether, on a bipartisan basis, to con- f Congress. It is because of her efforts tinue this progress. that Penne is credited with founding TRIBUTE TO AMBASSADOR L. the yellow ribbon campaign during the f BRUCE LAINGEN hostage crisis. VA AND NIH JOINT PARKINSON’S Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise After his release, Bruce became the DISEASE RESEARCH today to honor an accomplished dip- Vice President of the National Defense Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, as lomat and distinguished public servant, University until he retired from the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ambassador L. Bruce Laingen. On Au- Foreign Service in 1987. He went on to Veterans’ Affairs, I would like to take gust 6, Bruce will celebrate his 90th be the Executive Director of the Na- a moment to recognize the Department birthday. I want to take this momen- tional Commission on Public Service of Veterans Affairs and the National tous occasion to reflect on his con- from 1987 until 1990. Between 1991 and Institutes of Health, NIH, for their re- tributions and efforts in support of our 2006, Bruce was President of the Amer- search into an innovative surgery that Nation. Despite the personal sacrifice, ican Academy of Diplomacy. has demonstrated success in improving Bruce honorably served the United Bruce continued to share his exper- the stability of muscle movement for States with expert skill and dedication tise and knowledge through his efforts veterans with Parkinson’s disease. VA throughout his long career. on several distinguished Boards of Di- and NIH’s joint research collaboration Bruce was born and raised on a farm rectors including No Greater Love, A regarding deep brain stimulation ther- in southern . He joined the Presidential Classroom for Young apy has furthered the medical commu- U.S. Navy, and served our Nation dur- Americans, the Mercersburg Academy nity’s understanding of Parkinson’s ing World War II. Bruce received his of- in Pennsylvania, and the National De- disease and will be incredibly valuable ficer training at Wellesley College in fense University Foundation. I had the to doctors and Parkinson’s patients 1943, and attended the University of honor of working with Bruce on the throughout the world. Dubuque in Iowa for general Naval Board of Directors of the Presidential For many individuals, medication training. He was a commissioned offi- Classroom. He has been a strong advo- alone is insufficient when it comes to cer in the Naval Supply Corps. Bruce cate for this wonderful program, which dealing with neurological diseases such served in the Pacific with amphibious encourages students to learn about as Parkinson’s disease. VA and NIH forces in the Philippine campaigns. how their government works and aspire conducted research into an alternative After World War II, Bruce graduated to leadership through public service. treatment option known as deep brain from St. Olaf College in Minnesota in Bruce has received many honors as a stimulation therapy to test the long- 1947. He went on to further his edu- result of his brave service to our Na- term outcomes of the treatment. Deep cation at the University of Minnesota, tion. He was awarded the Department brain stimulation therapy is a surgical where he received a Master’s degree in of State’s Award for Valor, the Depart- procedure that implants electrodes International Relations in 1949. ment of Defense’s Distinguished Public into specific stimulation sites within As a result of his passion and interest Service Medal, the Presidential Meri- the brain. These electrodes are then in what was happening across the torious Award, and the Foreign Service able to send electrical pulses to areas globe, Bruce dedicated 38 years to the Cup. of the brain that controls movement Foreign Service. He joined the Foreign I am grateful for his willingness to and motor control and helps mitigate Service in 1949, and served this Nation serve our Nation and provide strong the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease as across the world in Germany, Iran, leadership in implementing the foreign well as reduce some of the side effects , and . The United policy goals of the . caused by medication. Thanks to deep States was very fortunate to have Bruce, Penne, and their three sons Bill, brain stimulation therapy, thousands Bruce serve as U.S. Ambassador to Chip, and Jim have given so much to of individuals suffering from Parkin- Malta from 1977 to 1979. our Nation. son’s disease have experienced a dra- In June 1979, Bruce returned to Iran f matic improvement in their quality of to serve as the U.S. Charge d’Affaires life. in the wake of the . CROWDFUNDING Since deep brain stimulation therapy Within a few months of his arrival, a Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, I rise was approved by the Food and Drug Ad- group of demonstrators took over the today to discuss an issue that I and ministration, FDA, as a therapy for U.S. Embassy in Tehran. The students many of my colleagues are very excited Parkinson’s disease in the late 1990s, and militants were protesting the about: crowdfunding, which allows there has been an ongoing debate about United States’ relationship with the startups and small businesses to har- which stimulation sites within the government of Iran and the Shah’s ness the power of the Internet to pool brain provide the best and most dura- entry into the United States on hu- investments from ordinary Americans ble treatment outcomes and how long manitarian grounds. On November 4, intrigued by their ideas. These ideas those results last. To better under- 1979, Bruce was taken hostage along can range from revolutionary new stand the role that stimulation sites with more than 60 other Americans. technologies to simple projects that play in deep brain stimulation therapy, For a total of 444 days, he and 51 other can improve communities in need. VA and NIH conducted a 3-year clinical Americans were held hostage in Iran. If crowdfunding is going to take off, trial. The trial ultimately found that Throughout the entire ordeal, he this new market needs to inspire con- the benefits gained from deep brain worked diligently to protect the hos- fidence in both investors and small stimulation therapy remained after 3 tages and resolve the crisis. He showed businesses. That is why in December of years and the benefits from the surgery true professionalism and strength. In 2011, I introduced S. 1970 with Senators were not dependent by which stimula- his book Yellow Ribbon: The Secret MICHAEL BENNET and MARY LANDRIEU tion site was selected for implantation. Journal of Bruce Laingen, Bruce de- and in March of this year the bipar- This is the type of research that is scribes his personal perspective and tisan, compromise crowdfunding crucial to providing the care that our thoughts about the events that took amendment with Senators MICHAEL Nation’s veterans need and deserve. place over those 444 days. BENNET and SCOTT BROWN. That Thanks to the hard work of VA and Shortly after Bruce’s capture, his amendment passed the Senate by a NIH researchers, the 40,000 veterans wife Penelope ‘‘Penne’’ Laingen tied a vote of 64 to 35 and was included in the

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