E748 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 5, 2004 HONORING ALBERT R. MORRIS cations, makes these deaths all the more trag- PAYING TRIBUTE TO ALTA ic. CASSIETTO HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE I hope that our efforts through this bill and OF DELAWARE as well as the attention that we can bring to HON. SCOTT McINNIS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES this disease through Asthma Awareness Day OF COLORADO education and outreach activities today and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, May 5, 2004 throughout the weekend at the Omni Wednesday, May 5, 2004 Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great Shoreham Hotel will help us reduce the inci- pleasure that I rise today to recognize the dence of asthma and the fatality rate associ- Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to achievements of Mr. Albert R. Morris, Presi- ated with it. With this kind of bi-partisan effort take this opportunity to pay tribute to Alta dent of A.R. Morris Jewelers in Wilmington, and supported at the state and local level, we Cassietto of Montrose, Colorado. Throughout DE. On behalf of the citizens of the First can make sure that every asthma patient has her fulfilling life, Alta has fulfilled many roles with great success, including being appointed State, I would like to pay tribute to this out- a chance to breath freely. Telluride’s first woman Postmaster. Her serv- standing individual, and extend to him our ice, both in her career with the Postal Service congratulations on being chosen as the 2004 f and her community involvement, is certainly recipient of the Small Business Council of HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF commendable and deserving of recognition by America’s Small Business Person of the Year RICHARD MICKA this body of Congress and nation. Award. Alta Cassietto was born in Cedaredge, Col- Mr. Speaker, for over 40 years, A.R. Morris HON. JOHN D. DINGELL orado in 1907. After traveling with her parents Jewelers has set the standard for business to their native Italy in 1908, the family returned OF MICHIGAN and civic leadership in Delaware. The Morris to Telluride at the outbreak of the First World family’s steadfast commitment to depend- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES War. In 1927, as only a junior in high school, ability, integrity, quality, and trust has ce- Wednesday, May 5, 2004 Alta began to work as a reporter for the Tellu- mented A.R. Morris’ position at the pinnacle of ride Daily Journal. When economic conditions small business in Delaware, and as this award Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my dear friend, Richard ‘‘Dick’’ forced the paper to become a weekly in 1929, indicates, throughout the nation. Based on an Alta became the editor, a position she held unwavering commitment to his community, Mr. Micka, on the occasion of his retirement from La-Z-Boy Corporation after 36 years of distin- until 1934, when she became Telluride’s first Morris has proven that businesses can suc- woman Postmaster, a position she held for ceed, while still maintaining an individual rela- guished service. A longtime Monroe County, Michigan resi- thirty-six years until her retirement in 1970. tionship with their customers. Now, in A.R. In 1975 Alta moved to Montrose to better dent, Dick graduated from Monroe Catholic Morris’ second generation of family ownership, care for her mother. She has remained very Central High School in 1956. He then earned they continue to provide value and excellence active in the community, volunteering at the a bachelor’s degree in economics from the in their craft. Montrose Memorial Hospital and with the Re- It is with great pleasure that I offer the most University of Detroit in 1960. That same year, tired Seniors Volunteer Program. She has also heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Morris upon re- he was commissioned as a second lieutenant pursued her love of traveling, having crossed ceipt of this award. His tireless diligence and in the Air Force. For nearly three of his seven both the Atlantic and Pacific ten times. dedication to work and family should serve as years in the military, Dick served at Okinawa. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to pay tribute an example for all small businesses. Mr. He became a captain with the Medical Service to Alta Cassietto before this body of Congress Speaker, I commend Albert R. Morris for his Corps. and this nation. She is a truly great treasure exceptional leadership and I ask that we rec- Dick began his career with La-Z-Boy’s Mon- for her Montrose community and the State of ognize the substantial contributions his family roe Headquarters in 1968 as Factory Payroll Colorado. I sincerely thank her for her service. Supervisor. In 1970, he moved to inventory and business have made to the state of Dela- f ware. control, and then to the production-planning department in 1971. He was special projects THE WOOL SUIT AND TEXTILE f manager from 1974 to 1979, working closely TRADE EXTENSION ACT OF 2004 THE IMPORTANCE OF ASTHMA with the Fabric Processing Center. In this po- AWARENESS DAY sition, he was among the first to witness the HON. AMO HOUGHTON company’s computer-controlled system in OF NEW YORK HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS Monroe, Michigan command a South Carolina IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW YORK factory machine to mechanically choose and Wednesday, May 5, 2004 pick up a fabric roll from the thousands on IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. HOUGHTON. Mr. Speaker, today I am hand. In 1979, Dick was promoted to his cur- pleased to join my colleague from New York, Wednesday, May 5, 2004 rent position. As Vice President of Administra- LOUISE SLAUGHTER, introducing the ‘‘Wool Suit Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank tion, Dick has dealt with the assets, patents, and Textile Trade Extension Act of 2004.’’ trademarks, and administrative functions of the Allergy and Asthma Network for holding This legislation extends and improves an ex- La-Z-Boy, but he is certainly best known for today’s 7th annual Asthma Awareness Day isting program designed to equalize the trade his service as La-Z-Boy’s community and civic and the Breath Freely Briefing to increase treatment provided to domestic manufacturers affairs director. asthma awareness. I also want to thank my of worsted wool suits. colleagues, Representative STEARNS, Chair- Dick has faithfully served many community Over the last decade a provision in our man BARTON, Representative TUBBS-JONES, organizations, including the Monroe County trade laws has had a devastating impact on Representative ENGEL and Representative Historical Commission, the United Way of the tailored clothing industry in the United KENNEDY for their leadership on this issue. Monroe County, and the Monroe County States—reducing employment by half. This I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Chamber of Commerce. provision effectively created a suit export in- H.R. 2023. I signed onto this bill because I un- He is also a noted conservationist. The dustry overnight in Canada and Mexico. Effec- derstand the life-altering effects of asthma. As Michigan United Conservation Club honored tively, finished suits were able to enter our you know, asthma is the 6th ranking chronic him with their Conservationist of the Year market duty-free, while our domestic pro- condition in the United States and the leading award in June 1974 for his efforts to save the ducers were forced to contend with a tariff of serious chronic illness of children in the United Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in Monroe more than 30 percent on the fine fabrics used States. County, Michigan. He is still very actively in- in their production. The African American community is dis- volved in efforts to restore Lake Erie wetlands, With a shrinking customer base the textile proportionately impacted by the effects of clean the lake of environmental contamination mills that once produced enormous amounts asthma. More than 3 million African Americans and restore native habitats and species. of worsted wool fabric reduced their fabric pro- currently have asthma. We are three times As Dick enters his retirement years, I would duction. Competition for supply and prices more likely than the general population to be ask that my colleagues rise and join with me paid to woolgrowers in turn were impacted hospitalized for asthma. Sadly, African Ameri- to wish him and his wife, Jeanne, a very negatively. cans constitute 26 percent of all asthma happy, healthy, and relaxing future. I would Our proposal builds on action taken by Con- deaths. The fact that asthma can be managed also like to thank him for his dedicated service gress in 2000 and 2002 to address this situa- with proper health care and appropriate medi- both to La-Z-Boy and the Monroe Community. tion. Under the existing legislation, domestic

VerDate May 04 2004 05:04 May 06, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A05MY8.020 E05PT1 May 5, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E749 suit makers, textile producers, and the domes- tional Eye Institute (NEI) and the Centers for It is the traditions of the long-established tic sheep industry received a combination of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have cultures that make Taos a proud community, tariff relief and incentives to stabilize employ- the resources they need to improve commu- a desirable place to live, and a wonderful ment and production in the United States. This nication and education campaigns, increase place to visit. Although the Town of Taos cele- program has been extremely successful, and surveillance, support epidemiology and pre- brates its 70th birthday this month, we must stopped the precipitous decline in employment vention research; and implement appropriate not forget that it is an area that has been in the tailored suit industry. program and policy changes. home to American Indians for nearly 1,000 However, these provisions expire next year. In order to ensure access to and availability years. The arrival of the Spanish Conquis- Because the suit industry must design their of treatment and rehabilitation services for in- tadores, led by Capita´n Hernan Alvarado on lines months in advance, the expiration of this dividuals with vision loss, we must support August 29, 1540, marked the beginning of the program will affect pricing and competitiveness programs at the Centers for Medicaid and three cultures that would eventually dominate much earlier than the close of 2005. Medicare Services (CMS) and the Department the area. Our proposal extends these provisions for of Health and Human Services (HHS) that re- Yet other newcomers emerged in the 18th an additional five years, and makes improve- move barriers and improve access to eye century with the arrival of French and Amer- ments in the program for all interested parties. exams currently covered under Medicare, ican traders. Taos, no more than a tiny moun- We are pleased to note that our legislation such as diabetic eye exams and glaucoma de- tain village, was transformed into a bustling has the strong support of the suit manufactur- tection for high risk populations. We must also trade center as wagon trains, frontier scouts ers, the garment workers’ union—UNITE, the strengthen the Medicare program to advance and mountain men gathered. Taos was also sheep association, and the textile industry. As coverage for vision rehabilitation services as the home of famous frontier scout Kit Carson, the domestic tailored clothing industry and provided by orientation and mobility special- who is commemorated in a state park and mu- wool textile mills continue to face significant ists, rehabilitation teachers, and low-vision seum. challenges maintaining employment and pro- therapists. The once geographically-isolated village be- duction as a result of an unleveled playing Finally, we must bolster our research efforts came more accessible when the Atcheson, field, an extension of this program is timely to improve our understanding of the eye and Topeka and the Santa Fe Railroad reached and vital to the continued health of this impor- visual system in health and disease, and to Santa Fe. The era of America’s love affair with tant manufacturing sector. develop the most effective means of preven- the West had begun. As tales of the region’s We hope our colleagues will join us in co- tion, treatment and rehabilitation. This report beauty spread, tourists, writers and artists sponsoring this legislation. provides the roadmap we need to raise aware- from the east discovered northern New Mexi- f ness about vision loss, give individuals the co’s uniqueness. Some settled permanently. tools they need to prevent it, and give hope to By the end of the Roaring Twenties, Taos IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL the millions already suffering from vision loss had an established reputation as a thriving art VISION STRATEGY that better treatments for can be found. colony. Writer D.H. Lawrence is credited with As a co-chair of the Congressional Vision saying, ‘‘I think the skyline of Taos is the most HON. DAVID E. PRICE Caucus, I would like to thank all of the organi- beautiful I have ever seen. . .’’ Perhaps the OF NORTH CAROLINA zations involved in crafting this report, includ- most prominent resident of the 20th century IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing the American Academy of Ophthalmology, was none other than artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Wednesday, May 5, 2004 the American Optometric Association, the The incorporation of the Town of Taos CDC, Lighthouse International, the National began as a community-wide initiative after Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Alliance For Eye and Vision Research, the several large structure fires destroyed most of on behalf of the Congressional Vision Caucus, NEI and most importantly, Prevent Blindness the plaza buildings in existence at the time. I rise to recognize May as Healthy Vision America. Prevent Blindness America should Month, and to discuss the importance of the Community volunteers undertook an effort to be commended for spearheading this effort, organize a volunteer fire department, a com- recommendations of the Vision Problems Ac- for bringing together this coalition of experts, tion Plan, A National Public Health Strategy to munity water supply system and a municipal and for its almost century-long dedication to form of government to ensure stability over the the prevention of blindness and vision loss. preventing vision loss. Good vision is critical to conducting activi- long term. ties of daily living, and it affects developmental f Taos, sometimes described as ‘‘The Soul of the Southwest,’’ is a flourishing community learning, communication, work, health, and CELEBRATING THE 70TH ANNIVER- quality of life. Unfortunately, far too many peo- today in New Mexico. A hundred galleries SARY OF THE INCORPORATION showcase the works of artists past and ple are at risk for losing their eyesight. More OF THE TOWN OF TAOS, NM than 80 million Americans have a potentially present, local and international. Scattered blinding eye disease, 3 million have low vision, within walking distance around the plaza and 1.1 million are legally blind, and an additional HON. TOM UDALL along side streets lined with bright hollyhocks 200,000 are more severely visually impaired. OF NEW MEXICO and geraniums, the galleries invite thousands Despite the fact that half of all blindness can IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of tourists each year. World-class contem- porary fine art, southwestern art, sculpture, ce- be prevented, far too many people do not Wednesday, May 5, 2004 have access to the care they need. If current ramic, crafts, jewelry, and weavings are long- trends continue, the number of blind and vis- Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I time economic staples of the town. ually impaired individuals will double by 2030. rise today to recognize an historic and out- Wheeler Peak at over 13,000 feet looks Healthy Vision Month, a component of standing community—Taos, New Mexico—and down on the world-class Taos Ski Basin. Dur- Healthy People 2010, is a national eye health to congratulate the residents on the celebra- ing the warmer months, the area provides a campaign to raise awareness about the var- tion of the town’s 70th anniversary. scenic chair lift and trails for hiking, biking, ious conditions that can affect eyesight and On May 7, 2004, the Town of Taos will horseback trips, llama treks and fishing. cause vision loss. Additionally, a coalition of commemorate the 70th anniversary of its in- Today, as in the past, Taos is a mecca for leading eye health experts have just released corporation as a general law municipality in a wide range of people who are attracted by the Vision Problems Action Plan, A National the State of New Mexico. This event will also its mystique, unique heritage, historical signifi- Public Health Strategy to provide our nation mark 389 years since the King of Spain colo- cance, and beauty. with a framework for preventing vision loss. nized the Taos area in 1615—five years be- Mr. Speaker, I could speak for hours on the This groundbreaking study recommends that, fore the Pilgrims landed in New England. rich history of Taos. Let me finish by saying in order to reduce the occurrence of vision Further, this will be the 209th anniversary that this special occasion is a time for all loss and its accompanying disabilities, we since the Don Fernando de Taos land grant Taosen˜os to honor 70 years of proud and must concentrate our efforts on three priority was declared an Ayuntamiento under the laws noble history. While we are grateful for the areas: prevention; access to care and treat- of the Spanish government in 1795. Finally, past seven decades, I know that the best is ment; and research. this will also mark 156 years since the Treaty yet to come. I ask that my colleagues join me Our public health and prevention campaign of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed by the as we honor all the contributions Taos has must ensure that vision programs at the Na- United States and Mexico in 1848. made to New Mexico.

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