E1948 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 29, 2006 HONORING JUSTIN-SIENA HIGH them. We cannot allow these survivors to fade White CARE Act and have supported its reau- SCHOOL OF NAPA into history without the closure that would thorization in the past. These programs pro- come from official recognition, which is why vide lifesaving medical care, drug treatment, HON. MIKE THOMPSON my colleague, the Honorable CHRISTOPHER and support services to over 535,000 low-in- OF CALIFORNIA SMITH, and I introduced H. Res. 759, calling come people living with HIV/AIDS throughout IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES on the Japanese government to formally ac- the nation. knowledge and take responsibility for its in- Westchester County, in my congressional Friday, September 29, 2006 volvement in this unspeakable atrocity. district has the highest number of persons liv- Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, Our resolution has broad Congressional ing with HIV or AIDS of any New York State I rise today to mark the 40th anniversary of support with 55 bipartisan cosponsors, includ- county outside of New York City. The services the establishment of Justin-Siena High School ing a substantial number of Members from the provided under the Ryan White CARE Act lit- in Napa, California. Thousands of young men International Relations Committee, and the erally mean the difference between life and and women from Napa, Sonoma and Solano Congressional Human Rights, Women’s death for my constituents living with this dev- counties have benefited from the school’s rig- Rights, Asian Pacific American, and Korea astating disease. orous curriculum and commitment to devel- Caucuses. Additionally, on September 13, Unfortunately, the bill before us today will oping outstanding citizenship in its students. 2006, the resolution was marked up in the jeopardize these services for my constituents Justin-Siena High School was created in International Relations committee by unani- and countless other Americans in states that 1972 from the merger of Justin High School mous consent, and subsequently sent to the are at the epicenter of this crisis. and Siena High School. Both schools were Speaker with an official request that it be con- Under this bill, New York State stands to founded in 1966, Justin High School by the sidered on the floor under suspension of the lose more than $78 million over four years. Christian Brothers and Siena High School by rules. We have also seen an overwhelming re- Despite what some say, the AIDS epidemic the Dominican Sisters. Justin-Siena has bene- sponse from the Korean American, Chinese has not shifted—it has expanded. It simply fited from the spirit and guidance of both or- American, Filipino American and Vietnamese makes no sense to pit regions of the country ders in the decades since it was created, and American communities to the Speaker asking against each other by providing vitally needed the ideals under which each school was for the resolution to come before the entire services to one region at the expense of an- founded have guided its faculty and students. House of Representatives. Amnesty Inter- other. A strong tradition of academic excellence national, as well as prominent Japanese- My colleagues, rushing a bill through the has been the foundation of Justin-Siena’s sta- American Congressman and my close friend, House that will negatively impact the lives of tus as a preeminent high school in Northern MIKE HONDA, also strongly and vocally support so many individuals living with HIV and AIDS California. This has translated into success for H. Res. 759 makes no sense. I am a cosponsor of legisla- the remarkable numbers of Justin-Siena’s Mr. Speaker, it is beyond my understanding tion, H.R. 6191, that would temporarily reau- graduates who continue their educations at why H. Res. 759 has not been scheduled for thorize the program for one year to allow Con- colleges all over the . Addition- floor consideration. There has been no visible gress to continue to negotiate a compromise ally, the school has made a notable effort to controversy about the bill from Members of that would not unfairly result in drastically re- ensure that its students learn the value of Congress. duced funds for any state. service to others as part of their education, Moreover, many of the bills also marked up I urge the House leadership to immediately and this has been of great benefit to the Napa in the September 13 International Relations consider H.R. 6191 and urge my colleagues to Valley. The back-to-back section football Committee hearing have made it to floor and vote against the bill before us. passed by voice vote. It is deeply disturbing championships Justin-Siena High School won f in 2004 and 2005 remind us that athletics are that the leadership of this House is not inter- not being neglected either. ested in supporting human rights or reiterating S. 2562, THE VETERANS’ COM- Justin-Siena High School has made an im- the role of the Congress to oppose human PENSATION COST-OF-LIVING AD- portant commitment to opening the opportuni- trafficking and other similar atrocities that have JUSTMENT ACT OF 2006 ties afforded by the school to students of all occurred throughout the world. This is not a backgrounds. This determination to ensure an Japanese issue, this is not a Korean issue, HON. SILVESTRE REYES this is not an American issue; this is an issue accessible and affordable education is an im- OF TEXAS about human dignity. And it is a slap in the portant indicator of the role this school plays IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES face to those who have worked so hard to in our community. Friday, September 29, 2006 Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time bring the Comfort Women issue to light on the that we recognize the 40th anniversary of Jus- international stage and especially to those Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tin-Siena Catholic High School in Napa, Cali- who have been directly or indirectly affected strong support of S. 2562, the Veterans’ Com- fornia, and I congratulate the staff and stu- by sexual slavery for this resolution to die at pensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of dents there. Justin-Siena has been a great the hands of the Speaker after it successfully 2006. asset to the Napa Valley and surrounding completed all the necessary procedural steps S. 2562 would raise the rates of compensa- areas, and I expect it will continue educating and demonstrated broad bipartisan support. tion for veterans with service-connected dis- I urge the Speaker in the strongest terms fine young women and men for many genera- abilities and would increase dependency and possible to allow H. Res. 759 to come before tions to come. indemnity compensation for survivors of cer- the full House under suspension of the rules f tain disabled veterans. Surviving spouses and before the end of the 109th Congress, so that children aged under 18 would be among those CALLING ON THE SPEAKER TO we may once and for all put this issue to rest, who would benefit from the compensation rate BRING H. RES. 759 TO THE FLOOR and leave this Congress having made a strong increase that would become effective on De- FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION statement in support of human dignity. cember 1, 2006. The increase in rates would f be equal to the increase provided to Social HON. LANE EVANS RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREAT- Security recipients and is projected to be ap- OF ILLINOIS MENT MODERNIZATION ACT OF proximately 2.9 percent. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2006 As a co-sponsor of H.R. 4843, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act Friday, September 29, 2006 SPEECH OF of 2006, which passed the House of Rep- Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, the sexual en- resentatives on June 27, 2006, I also strongly slavement of more than 200,000 young HON. NITA M. LOWEY support the Senate version of the bill. women and girls by the Japanese Imperial OF NEW YORK In recognizing the contributions that vet- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Army before and during World War II is one of erans have made to our country, it is vital that the most ignored and overlooked violations of Thursday, September 28, 2006 we provide compensation that reflects today’s human rights and international law in the 20th Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluc- rising cost-of-living. Many of the approximately Century. These women, euphemistically tant opposition to the Ryan White Treatment 60,000 veterans who reside in El Paso, Texas known as ‘‘Comfort Women,’’ are now elderly Modernization Act. depend largely on government compensation and living their last years without a formal Like many of my colleagues in the New for supporting their families. Increasing the apology from the government that enslaved York delegation, I strongly support the Ryan compensation rates for veterans and their

October 6, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1949 families allows us to demonstrate our im- Emily Perez was a trailblazer and a star in consumer (DTC) advertising; and eliminating mense gratitude for those who have coura- every sense of the word. conflict-of-interests involving members of FDA geously served our country. She rose to the top of her class at Oxon Hill advisory committees. Mr. Speaker, nation’s veterans and their High School. She became the first minority fe- This report provides independent verification service to our appreciation for their service to male command sergeant in the history of the that Congress must act to implement the our country. I ask all my colleagues to join me U.S. Military Academy. And she excelled at changes that are needed at the FDA. Con- in voting favorably on S. 2562. everything from track to the gospel choir. gress will have the opportunity next year to f As reported, friends make an immediate impact when it considers and family members nicknamed her ‘‘Kobe,’’ the reauthorization of the Prescription Drug RECOGNIZING FINANCIAL after Los Angeles Lakers basketball player User Fee Act (PDUFA). Congress should PLANNING WEEK Kobe Bryant, because ‘‘everyone knew she strongly consider IOM’s PDUFA recommenda- SPEECH OF could make the shots, in whatever she did.’’ tion that a portion of the user fees be diverted Second Lieutenant Perez was best known to specific safety-related performance goals. HON. MAXINE WATERS for her tenacious leadership, first as a wing I ask that the New York Times editorial be OF CALIFORNIA commander of Junior ROTC and then on the inserted in the RECORD. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES campus of West Point. She leaves behind a [From the New York Times, Sept. 28, 2006] Thursday, September 28, 2006 collection of young cadets inspired by her pa- PRESCRIPTION FOR A STRONGER F.D.A. triotism, as they prepare for military careers Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support A prestigious advisory group has put its defending our Nation. of H. Res. 973, ‘‘Recognizing Financial Plan- weight behind criticism that the Food and While incredibly strong willed, Perez also is Drug Administration is pitifully weak when ning Week.’’ I want to thank Mr. HINOJOSA and remembered for her sensitivity to others, orga- it comes to removing dangerous prescription Mrs. BIGGERT for introducing the resolution. I nizing an HIV–AIDS ministry in high school drugs from the market. Last week, a panel am cosponsor of this resolution because I be- after family members contracted the virus. appointed by the Institute of Medicine, part lieve that we must acknowledge the impor- Yet it was being a soldier that was Perez’s of the National Academy of Sciences, issued tance of financial planning for all Americans. a slew of recommendations to strengthen the true calling. She was born into a military family This resolution accepts the goal of financial beleaguered F.D.A. as it struggles to regu- in Heidelberg, Germany, and knew from a planning as a tool to enable families and indi- late a huge array of medications whose ill ef- very young age that she wanted to serve. viduals to achieve their financial and life goals. fects sometimes show up only after years of After graduating from West Point, she was as- It recognizes the relevance of financial plan- wide use. signed to the Army’s 204th Support Battalion, The institute’s report, which was requested ners, many of whom are essential to American 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division and de- by the F.D.A., deplores the big imbalance be- individuals and families planning for their fu- ployed to in December. tween the money and staff devoted to ap- tures. proving new drugs and the much smaller re- Sound financial planning must be integrated One of her mentors, Roger Pollard, told the Post: ‘‘I clearly remember thinking that she sources for monitoring drugs after they are into any comprehensive life plan. Many of the on the market. The imbalance results in part financial instruments and investments require would definitely be the first female president of from the pharmaceutical industry’s pro- basic if not advanced financial planning to be this country.’’ viding user fees that pay for expediting the Lost at the age of 23, we will never know used productively. Financial independence is a approval process, but not for monitoring the what was in store for this extraordinary young aftereffects. Worse yet, even when it spots a goal that I strongly advocate. Without financial woman. But one thing is certain: She hero- problem, the agency has very little power to independence it is impossible to function and ically served her Nation in defense of our free- regulate drugs on the market unless there is to meet future challenges. overwhelming evidence that they are unsafe, The Financial Planning Association has des- dom, and we should all be proud of the full life she led in her short time here. which is seldom the case. ignated the week beginning October 2, 2006 Although the nation is mired in budget as Financial Planning Week. The House offi- f deficits, the institute was wise to call for a cially recognizes the importance of financial STATEMENT ON IOM REC- large increase in financing and personnel for this crucially important regulator of public planning and financial planners in the process, OMMENDATIONS FOR FDA RE- and this resolution embraces Financial Plan- health. If Congress is too stingy to ante up FORM more money, it should at least divert some ning Week. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to of the drug industry’s user fees to surveil- support this resolution. HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO lance after a drug’s approval. f The panel calls for the F.D.A. to evaluate OF CONNECTICUT the safety and effectiveness of drugs that are ON THE DEATH OF SECOND IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES truly new, not just copycats, at least once LIEUTENANT EMILY J.T. PEREZ Friday, September 29, 2006 every five years. It wants the agency to be given explicit power to compel post-mar- HON. STENY H. HOYER Ms. DELAURO. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to keting studies and to impose fines, injunc- bring to my colleague’s attention a New York tions and withdrawals to enforce its deci- OF MARYLAND Times editorial that comments on the rec- sions. In a departure from conventional wis- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ommendations by the Institute of Medicine dom, the panel also urges the F.D.A. to re- Friday, September 29, 2006 (IOM) for reforming the Food and Drug Admin- quire that a substantial majority of the Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, the tragic loss of istration (FDA). The editorial contends that members of each of its advisory panels be IOM has wisely called for a significant in- free of significant financial involvement Second Lieutenant Emily J.T. Perez, a young with companies whose interests might be af- soldier from Prince George’s County, MD, who crease in financing and personnel to correct fected. That undercuts the agency’s claims gave the ultimate measure of sacrifice for our the imbalance between the funds and staff de- that there are not enough experts without Nation in Iraq, saddens all of us. voted to approving new drugs and the smaller ties to the drug industry. And today, I want to pay tribute to this out- resources available for post-market surveil- f standing young American, as well as express lance. The editorial also observes that, even my deepest condolences to her family, includ- when problems arise, the agency virtually has COMMENDING THE BOY SCOUTS OF ing her parents, Vicki and Daniel, and all of no authority to regulate drugs on the market AMERICA TROOP ONE OF SAC- her friends and loved ones. unless there is overwhelming evidence that RAMENTO ON ITS 90TH ANNIVER- Second Lieutenant Perez of Fort Wash- they are unsafe. SARY ington died on September 12 after a roadside The IOM report, The Future of Drug Safety, bomb exploded under her . She is the confirms what many of us in Congress have HON. DORIS O. MATSUI first female graduate of West Point to die in been arguing all along—that FDA authority OF CALIFORNIA Iraq. needs to be strengthened and that the agency IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES But she should not be remembered solely relies too heavily on negotiations with industry. for how she passed from this life and into The recommendations outlined in the IOM re- Friday, September 29, 2006 God’s hands. She must be remembered for port reflect the initiatives that many of us in Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute the outstanding and inspiring way in which she Congress already have proposed, including: to the Boy Scouts of America Troop One of lived and those she touched during her 23 requiring post-market surveillance of drug Sacramento as they celebrate their 90th anni- years. products; requiring a moratorium on direct-to- versary and ask all of my colleagues to join

October 6, 2006