CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E258 HON
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E258 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 5, 2002 HONORING ROMAN, DON AND GLO- TRIBUTE TO BISHOP WILLIAM L. guish, I told each family that they should take RIA REED FOR THEIR EFFORTS JORDAN comfort in the knowledge they are in the TO FUND SPINAL CORD INJURY hearts and prayers of an entire nation. They RESEARCH HON. ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH are truly American heroes. Just as I have come to know the nearly 100 OF ILLINOIS residents of my Congressional District who IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK never came home on September 11, I have OF CALIFORNIA Tuesday, March 5, 2002 come to know John Bulaga, Jr., Jeremy Glick, Bruce Reynolds, Deepa Pakkala, and Joseph IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. BLAGOJEVICH. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to rise today to pay tribute to the Vilardo. Tuesday, March 5, 2002 Honorable Bishop William L. Jordan, Pastor of John Bulaga, Jr. was a man who loved St. Mark Baptist Church in Harvey, Illinois. planning for the future. John and his wife Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to Michelle were within days of closing on a take this opportunity to share with my col- Since 1976, God, through him, has made and continues to make a difference in many lives. house for a future in Haskell when he was leagues the achievements of a remarkable killed while working for eSpeed, with Cantor family in my district. Under his leadership and vision, St. Mark’s membership has grown to over seven thou- Fitzgerald. John focused a career on pre- Roman Reed was a star college football sand. He preaches two Sunday services each paring for the future of technology and the player until he was paralyzed by a game injury week. St. Mark operates several community internet. His wife finished some of the family’s that broke his neck. Such an injury would dev- based programs, a medical center and a com- plans for the future, as she recently finished astate most families, but not the Reeds. Ro- munity center. Over twenty-six years of the closing of the house and will move there man’s father, Don, began tirelessly searching untiring service, faithful dedication to the com- shortly with their two children, Rhiannon and for cures for his son’s injuries. Don learned munity and strong leadership have earned him Alannah. Jeremy Glick was one of the heroes aboard that, while research is moving closer and clos- the deserved respect and admiration of all the fated United Flight 93 that crashed in er to a cure, insufficient funding is slowing our whose lives he has touched. Pennsylvania. Before Jeremy and other pas- chances for success. Bishop Jordan has been instrumental in sengers decided to attack the hijackers, Jer- Roman’s parents, Don and Gloria Reed, shaping the future of the community, state and emy was able to call his wife, Lizbeth, pro- have become tireless advocates for spinal country. I applaud his leadership and com- viding important details about the terrorists’ cord research. They gathered other concerned mend him for toiling so long to provide the actions over his cell phone and telling Lizbeth citizens and founded ‘‘Californians for a Cure,’’ type of guidance which has empowered so how much he loved her. Jeremy’s newborn a campaign to raise funds for spinal cord in- many to make meaningful contributions to the daughter Emerson will grow up hearing of her jury research. Car accidents are the leading community. His accomplishments are far too cause of spinal cord injury. Recognizing that, father’s brave actions. numerous to list but I applaud him for each Deepa Pakkala never wanted to call it a they sought state legislation to dedicate a por- and every one of them and for having the day. Determined to not only succeed but tion of the state revenues collected from dream and desire to use his faith as a vehicle excel, Deepa worked long hours in order to speeding tickets to spinal cord research. to effect social, political and economic change. provide for her family. A young mother who The Reed’s State Assemblyman, John He is a true testament to his faith and an had just begun working for Oracle Corpora- Dutra, took up their cause for spinal cord re- asset to our country. I commend Bishop Wil- tion, Deepa was with a client in the World search in the State Legislature. In September liam Jordan and wish him many more years of Trade Center on September 11th. Last Janu- 2000, after three years of tremendous work, exemplary service to the Lord. ary, Deepa gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Governor Gray Davis signed the Roman Reed f Trisha. The two months she took to spend bill into law. For five years, this law will pro- TRIBUTE TO JOHN BULAGA, JR., with her daughter was the only time she has vide $1 million annually for spinal cord re- ever slowed down, according to her husband search in California. JEREMY GLICK, DEEPA PAKKALA, BRUCE REYNOLDS, of ten years. Bruce Reynolds was last seen helping a Last Friday, March 1, the Roman Reed Lab- JOSEPH VILARDO oratory for Spinal Cord Injury Research was woman with burns in the south World Trade dedicated at the University of California, Irvine. Center tower. Bruce’s father recalls that ever This laboratory was created through some of HON. MARGE ROUKEMA since Bruce was young, he knew he wanted to the funds made possible by the Roman Reed OF NEW JERSEY be a police officer to help people. He became Bill. The Roman Reed Laboratory has a sim- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a Port Authority Police Officer in June of 1986. ple, important vision: to create a setting where Tuesday, March 5, 2002 Through his service and bravery, not only did his dream come true, but he has also saved scientists can rapidly translate ideas into re- Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today search. Furthermore, the laboratory hopes to people’s lives and therefore made others’ to pay tribute to five outstanding individuals dreams possible. From the way people talk make it possible for any scientist with a com- who were killed in the attacks on our nation on pelling idea to immediately undertake research about Officer Bruce Reynolds, you can tell he September 11th. For the past four months, we was a truly special husband, father, son and and experiments. The new core laboratory will have heard and read the stories of countless help fast-track spinal cord injury research and fellow officer. Bruce’s children, Brianna and family members, neighbors and friends who Michael, can be very proud of their father. speed up our chances of finding successful went to work on September 11th and never treatments to these devastating injuries. Joseph Vilardo loved his family more than came home. I ask that the names of five of anything. Joseph, a Senior Vice President with Today, Roman has regained the use of his these men and women be kept in our nation’s Cantor Fitzgerald, lived with his wife and chil- arms and is a proud father himself. His par- CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—commemorating dren in Stanhope, nearby his parents and ents still tirelessly push for greater strides in them as true American heroes. three sisters. According to his many friends, spinal cord injury research. Most recently, I’ve Our northern New Jersey communities have Joseph was a well-loved and well-respected heard from Don Reed regarding his fight to been particularly hard-hit. We all know some- individual. Regardless of how much work was oppose new federal limitations on stem cell re- one who was lost. Their stories are heart- required of him, Joseph always made time for search. Stem cells may well be one of the an- wrenching, nearly unbearable in their sadness. his wife Patricia and their two children, Nicole swers to fighting paralysis. Don is taking his Today, in northern New Jersey, families will and Matthew. Nicole and Matthew will have fight from California to Washington to make gather to celebrate the strong and proud many memories of their father’s love for them. sure that roadblocks are not put in the way of American spirits of five individuals taken from These individuals have the admiration and vitally needed research. our community. ClearChannel Communica- thanks of an entire nation. Their families can I commend the entire Reed family for their tions will also be present with the United Way be assured that this nation will never forget dedication to finding a cure for spinal cord in- to present the families of the victims with a do- the atrocities of September 11th or the values juries—not only for their son—but for everyone nation. I thank everyone who will be taking for which they died. Out of this tragedy, our who suffers from these devastating injuries. I part in this for their support and compassion nation has emerged stronger and prouder than am honored to know the Reeds, am proud to for those who have lost a loved one. ever. And we now come together to tell these represent them in the U.S. Congress, and I I have spoken to many families in my own families they are not alone. America stands am pleased to help them in this important attempt to bring them some consolation. Even with them—now in their hour of grief, and in cause. though there are no words to relieve their an- the days and years to come. VerDate 11<MAY>2000 05:19 Mar 06, 2002 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05MR8.022 pfrm02 PsN: E05PT1 March 5, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E259 Mr.