H1514 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 25, 1998

BRUCE VENTO, for his amendments to the bill search and protection of the tropical rain for- as long-term treatment for diabetes. which recognizes the importance of tropical ests of and other regions of the world. Research by former Assistant Health forest plants for medical treatment of human By following the footsteps of native healers, Secretary Philip Lee found that every illnesses, and that native peoples who live in Dr. Cox perhaps best exemplifies the need for dollar invested in treatment for chemi- or near rain forests should be consulted, given our so-called modern technological world not cal dependency can save $7 in future their tremendous knowledge of plants that to disregard the tremendous amount of knowl- costs: medical costs, incarceration have medicinal value. edge that can be obtained from indigenous costs, social service costs, and so forth. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that peoples and their understanding of certain A Rutgers University study found during House floor deliberations, Congress- plants that have medicinal and healing value; that untreated alcoholics incur health man VENTO cited the outstanding work of Dr. What Dr. Cox is saying to us is that there is care costs that are 100 percent higher , one of the finest much that our modern world can learn from than for treated alcoholics or alcohol- Ethnobotanists in the world today, and who is native cultures. ics. After treatment, Mr. Speaker, the especially noted for his studies and research Mr. Speaker, again I support the provisions days lost to illness, sickness claims, work in the South Pacific. of H.R. 2870, and I commend my colleagues and hospitalizations drop by one-half. I have known Dr. Cox for several years from for their endorsement and passage of this leg- A Brown University study found that his work in the and through- islation. drug and alcohol treatment could re- out , and I am extremely gratified duce crime by over 80 percent, and a f that Dr. Cox was honored by Time magazine Minnesota study, a study in my home as one of the world's top 10 medical scientists SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a pre- State of Minnesota, evaluated our in 1997. vious order of the House, the gentle- treatment programs and concluded Dr. Cox first came to Samoa in the early woman from North Carolina (Mrs. that Minnesota last year saved $22 mil- 1970s as a young Mormon missionary. He be- MYRICK) is recognized for 5 minutes. lion in health care costs because of came enchanted with Samoa and immersed (Mrs. MYRICK addressed the House. treatment. himself in the Samoan culture, learning to Her remarks will appear hereafter in Mr. Speaker, the facts are clear: read and write fluently in the Samoan lan- the Extensions of Remarks.) treatment works. Treatment is cost-ef- guage. After his departure from the islands to f fective. Assuring access to treatment obtain his doctorate degree from Harvard Uni- will not only combat this insidious dis- versity, Dr. Cox later joined the faculty at The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ease, but it will also save health care in Provo, Utah. Dr. previous order of the House, the gentle- dollars. Cox is also the newly-appointed director of the woman from the District of Columbia As someone who stays very close to National Tropical Forestry Botanical Garden, (Ms. NORTON) is recognized for 5 min- other recovering people in Minnesota which is located on the island of Kauai, in the utes. and to treatment professionals in our State of . (Ms. NORTON addressed the House. State, I have been alarmed by the In 1984, Dr. Cox, with his family, returned to Her remarks will appear hereafter in dwindling access to treatment in this Samoa to pursue his post-graduate studies of the Extensions of Remarks.) country. In fact, over the last decade, plants found in rain forests. The death of his f 50 percent of the treatment facilities in mother from cancer motivated Dr. Cox to America have closed. Even more search for new avenues outside of traditional PASS THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE alarming, over the last decade, 60 per- medicine for treating incurable diseases. Re- TREATMENT PARITY ACT NOW cent of the adolescent treatment cen- siding in the isolated village of on The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a ters in our country have closed. The the island of Savai'i, Dr. Cox initiated research previous order of the House, the gen- current system either blocks access for on how native Samoan healers utilized certain tleman from Minnesota (Mr. RAMSTAD) addicted people, or greatly limits their plants from the rain forest for medicinal pur- is recognized for 5 minutes. treatment experience. poses. Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, nearly It is time to put chemical depend- Over the years, traveling back and forth be- 26 million Americans are presently suf- ency on par with insurance coverage for other diseases. That is why I have tween Samoa and the U.S. to conduct re- fering from the ravages of drug and al- introduced the Substance Abuse Treat- search, Dr. Cox has discovered 74 medicinal cohol addiction. There is an epidemic ment Parity Act, H.R. 2409. This com- plants with the assistance of native Samoan in America, a national crisis of alcohol monsense and cost-effective legislation healers. Extracts from the leaves, bark and and drug addiction. One in 10 people in would expand access to treatment by roots of the rain forest plants have proven ef- the United States of America is ad- fective in treating illnesses from high fever to prohibiting health plans from imposing dicted to drugs and/or alcohol. appendicitis to asthma. In particular, one new limits on substance abuse coverage The statistics, Mr. Speaker, are abso- plantÐderived drug isolated by Dr. Cox, that are different from those require- lutely shocking. Alcoholism and drug Prostratin, holds the promise of a cure for ments for other health care services. addiction cost this country $90 billion AIDS. b 1845 Mr. Speaker, most of the Earth's 265,000 last year, in addition to even greater flowering plants are located in tropical regions, human costs: the shattered dreams; the All this bill does is provide parity for and less than one percent of these plants tragic deaths; the violent crime; bro- treatment of substance abuse. This have been tested for effectiveness against dis- ken families; shattered, broken lives. would remove barriers to substance ease. In continuing his work with native heal- Alcohol abuse alone last year killed abuse treatment without significantly ers, Dr. Cox hopes to find the answer to can- 100,000 people in this country. increasing health care premiums. In cer, alzheimer's and other incurable diseases A recent study by Columbia Univer- fact, we have all the empirical evidence in the rain forests of Samoa and the world. sity’s National Center on Addiction in the world, study after study to show However, the decimation of tropical forests lit- and Substance Abuse found that 80 per- that this is cost effective. In fact, one erally threatens to prevent the discovery of cent of American prisoners, 80 percent released just yesterday by the Sub- hundreds of new medical drugs. of the 1.2 million Americans locked up stance Abuse and Mental Health Serv- For his efforts to stop the destructive log- today, are there because of drugs or al- ices Administration shows how inex- ging of the rain forests of the island of Savai'i, cohol. pensive and cost effective this legisla- Dr. Paul Cox is greatly respected by the Sa- Mr. Speaker, as a recovering alco- tion is. That study, released yesterday, moan people. He has even been bestowed holic myself, I know firsthand the shows that the average health care pre- the Samoan Matai title of ``'' by the vil- value of treatment for chemical addic- mium would only increase by two- lage elders of Falealupo on the island of tion. Mr. Speaker, I am here to speak tenths of 1 percent per month. So for Savai'i, as a token of appreciation for all that from personal experience that treat- the cost of a cup of coffee, $1.35 a he has done for the villagers, including the es- ment works. I ask my colleagues to month, we could treat 16 million Amer- tablishment of a 30,000 acre rain forest pre- consider the following facts that make icans who have insurance but are pres- serve and construction of a primary school for clear the effectiveness of treatment. ently being blocked from treatment be- the village children. A University of Pennsylvania study cause of these barriers, higher copay- Mr. Speaker, again I want to commend Dr. by Dr. Thomas McLellan found that ments higher deductibles, limited hos- Paul Cox for his life's work devoted to re- long-term treatment is just as effective pital stays, and so forth. March 25, 1998 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1515 Mr. Speaker, Congress can take a big Brittney Lambie when the shooting County, Arkansas. Mr. Speaker, my step this year to knock down barriers began. Mrs. Thetford and Brittney re- wife Carolyn and I, and our children, to treatment. Just as the Civil Rights main in critical condition today. Eight send our heartfelt condolences and Act of 1964 tore down barriers to inte- more students were wounded in the prayers to the families and to the com- gration, just as the Americans with shooting: Amanda Barnes, Jennifer Ja- munity as a whole, as does the entire Disabilities Act tore down barriers for cobs, Candace Porter, Ashley Betts, staff of the offices of the First Congres- people with disabilities, this year we Tristan McGowan, Christina Amer, sional District. can knock down barriers to treatment Jenna Brooks, and Whitney Irving. We stand ready to assist in any way for people who are suffering the rav- Inevitably, tragedies produce heroes that we can and wish Godspeed to the ages of drug and alcohol addiction. We and there was no shortage of heroes people of Craighead County as we all can pass the Substance Abuse Treat- yesterday. In addition to teachers continue to deal with this horrifying ment Parity Act and make treatment Shannon Wright and Sara Thetford, tragedy. available for 16 million more Ameri- Sheriff Dale Haas and the Craighead f cans. County Sheriff’s Department, as well The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Mr. Speaker, let me just close by say- as the Arkansas State Police, did a previous order of the House, the gen- ing this is a life-or-death issue because commendable job of containing the tleman from Washington (Mr. chemical addiction is fatal if it is left scene and securing the surrounding HASTINGS) is recognized for 5 minutes. untreated. So, I urge my colleagues, areas. (Mr. HASTINGS of Washington ad- please join me in cosponsoring H.R. The emergency medical response dressed the House. His remarks will ap- 2409. teams in Jonesboro and Craighead pear hereafter in the Extensions of Re- f County, Emerson Ambulance Service, marks.) Patient Transfer Service, and Keller f OFFERING CONDOLENCES TO THE Ambulance Service, all showed great FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF TRAG- professionalism under difficult cir- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a IC AMBUSH SHOOTING IN cumstances. previous order of the House, the gentle- CRAIGHEAD COUNTY, AR The paramedics and medical techni- woman from New York (Mrs. MCCAR- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. cians from those three agencies worked THY) is recognized for 5 minutes. DEAL of Georgia). Under a previous together as a team and did a tremen- (Mrs. MCCARTHY of New York ad- order of the House, the gentleman from dous job of administering care to the dressed the House. Her remarks will Arkansas (Mr. BERRY) is recognized for victims. The doctors and staff of St. appear hereafter in the Extensions of 5 minutes. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center did Remarks.) Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise with an outstanding job of preparing them- f great reluctance to address this body selves for the chaos that entered the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a today. I am honored every time that I emergency room yesterday afternoon. previous order of the House, the gen- step into this Chamber, but this after- They have also done an outstanding job tleman from New Jersey (Mr. PAPPAS) noon to be here and to speak on a topic of keeping the community informed of is recognized for 5 minutes. that I am about to address, is the last the status of the survivors. (Mr. PAPPAS addressed the House. thing I want to do. I know that the families around His remarks will appear hereafter in Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to eulo- Craighead County are thankful for the the Extensions of Remarks.) gize the lives of the five people, one many counselors and ministers from f woman and four little girls, who lost Jonesboro and from around the State The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a their lives yesterday in the senseless who have offered their services to help previous order of the House, the gen- and tragic ambush shooting in the children of Westside cope with this tleman from Michigan (Mr. STUPAK) is Craighead County, Arkansas. I rise to horrible tragedy. The people in the recognized for 5 minutes. offer my condolences to the families of communities that make up Westside (Mr. STUPAK addressed the House. these victims and to those that were school district, Bono, Cash, and Egypt, His remarks will appear hereafter in injured and to the entire community as will look to each and to the Lord in the the Extensions of Remarks.) they struggle to make sense of the vio- wake of this tragedy. The fact that f lence that we never dreamed would be children were victimized in a place visited upon our State. where they should be safe makes this The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a As nearly everyone in the country ordeal even more difficult to com- previous order of the House, the gentle- knows from the media reports that we prehend. woman from Indiana (Ms. CARSON) is have been receiving, yesterday after- We are all asking ‘‘Why?’’ Why did recognized for 5 minutes. noon someone pulled a fire alarm at these young lives have to be snuffed (Ms. CARSON addressed the House. Westside Middle School in Craighead out so senselessly? That answer may Her remarks will appear hereafter in County, Arkansas. As teachers and stu- never come, and as many have sug- the Extensions of Remarks.) dents evacuated the building, they gested, the answer may be beyond our f were greeted by a torrent of gunfire comprehension. Craighead County is a The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a from nearby woods. wonderful place full of people who for previous order of the House, the gen- Among the victims is Shannon many, many years have worked to tleman from Kentucky (Mr. LEWIS) is Wright. Mrs. Wright was a 32-year-old strengthen their community. It is a recognized for 5 minutes. teacher who was shot while trying to place where traditional values, faith in (Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky addressed shield sixth grader Emma Pittman God, love of fellow man, and commit- the House. His remarks will appear from the hail of bullets. Mrs. Wright ment to family are the pillars upon hereafter in the Extensions of Re- died at 7:53 last night, following sur- which the community is built and the marks.) gery. Eleven-year-old Amber Vanover source of strength that they will have f told reporters what she saw: ‘‘He was to rely on now. fixing to shoot her, and Mrs. Wright As is often the case when the world TRANSPORTATION UPDATE moved in front of her.’’ seems turned upside down, the Bible The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a Eleven-year-old Natalie Brooks also provides some solace. The 46th Psalm previous order of the House, the gen- lost her life. Paige Ann Herring and says, ‘‘God is our refuge and strength, tleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. FOX) is Stephanie Johnson, age 12, and Brit- a very present help in trouble. There- recognized for 5 minutes. tany Varner, age 11, had their lives fore we will not fear, though the earth Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speak- taken from them. A heartbreaking loss be removed and the mountains be car- er, I join with the gentleman from Ar- for their families and friends. ried into the sea.’’ kansas (Mr. BERRY), my good friend, Sara Lynette Thetford, who teaches If there is any place on earth that is and all of our colleagues in wishing all social studies to Westside sixth grad- capable of dealing with a tragedy of the prayers to the First District of Ar- ers, stepped in front of 13-year-old this magnitude, that place is Craighead kansas and to all the families there,