E654 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 27, 2004 things we should and CAN provide to our care community’s medical, moral, and legal danger until the waves were crashing against Guard and Reserve members. Extending the obligation to fulfill its mission at all costs. their door. Let us not wait until we are on military pay raise, providing meaningful tax re- Patients continue to receive an abundance of the brink of disaster to accept the dire cir- cumstances that await us. It is time we rec- lief for military families, and improving overall health care services even as the economic vise on hospitals tightens. ognize the tide is rising against the health quality of life entitlement programs is the very The warning signs are easily recogniz- care industry. It is imperative that state and least we can do for the families and able—from the previously unacceptable federal governments, health care providers, servicemembers who have endured extraor- delays in gaining access to doctors to the in- industry leaders, and patients work coopera- dinary—and in some cases—supreme sac- tolerably long waits in emergency rooms to tively to find sustainable solutions to ensure rifices for our country. ambulances being diverted from hospital to that core medical services remain available The mistreatment of our Guard and Reserv- hospital. Because these cracks in the system to every resident of Massachusetts. ists and its repercussions on them and their have been incremental and the degeneration f families’ morale and well-being must stop. Is it of the system gradual, we have come to ac- cept them as routine when they are anything INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION too much to ask that our government provide but. They are, in fact, alarm bells signaling DESIGNATING THE NEWELL basic necessary services such as comprehen- the onset of a crisis. GEORGE POST OFFICE IN KAN- sive health coverage and timely compensation Today’s delays, long waits, and diversions SAS CITY, KS to our Guard and Reserve members? are mere inconveniences compared to what I urge my colleagues to include funding for may lie ahead. Do you want to see the day these measures in this year’s Defense Author- when patients are flatly turned away for HON. DENNIS MOORE ization Act and to push for passage of the lack of beds? Or when critical and costly OF many proposals addressing these issues services, such as psychiatric care, are elimi- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES which are currently stalled in Committee. nated? Or when resources become so scarce Tuesday, April 27, 2004 that only the fortunate few will have enough f money and power to afford access to the ad- Mr. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, joined today by HEALTH CARE’S BREWING STORM vanced technologies and treatments to which Representatives , and many currently feel entitled? , I am introducing legislation that Such dire scenarios may seem unthinkable would designate the United States Postal HON. BARNEY FRANK in a state whose health care system was once Service facility located at 550 Nebraska Ave- OF MASSACHUSETTS the model for the nation. But there’s a rap- nue in Kansas City, Kansas, as the ‘‘Newell IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES idly advancing storm poised to wreak havoc, already leaving shuttered local hospitals in George Post Office Building.’’ Tuesday, April 27, 2004 its wake. In 1980 there were 118 hospitals in Newell Adolphus George served as a mem- Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, Massachusetts. Today there are 67. ber of the 86th Congress, from 1959–61, rep- earlier this week I had the pleasure of insert- As president and CEO of one of the largest resenting the Second District of Kansas, which ing into this forum a very good editorial from community hospital systems in the state— was redesignated as the Third District fol- the Boston Globe about the excellent work and the largest employer in southeastern lowing the post-1960 congressional reappor- Massachusetts, it is my responsibility to that is done by Bristol Community College, tionment. He was a member of the House Vet- issue the storm warning, before it hits us erans’ Affairs Committee. Born in Kansas City, which I have been privileged to represent for head-on. more than twenty years. It is important for us I entered Massachusetts health care just Missouri, in 1904, he attended Hawthorne to spread good news. But it’s also important after the famous blizzard of 1978, an act of Grade School and Wyandotte High School in for us to give people the bad news, especially nature that caused more destruction than Kansas City, Kansas, as well as Wentworth when it is bad news that could be made worse most of us had ever experienced. The cost of Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, and if we do not act. the destruction and the loss of life might Park College in Parkville, Missouri. One of the most important institutions in the have been less had we the capability to warn After studying law at the University of Kan- people just how bad it was going to be. part of Massachusetts which I represent is the sas City School of Law, Newell George ob- Already, we are seeing the state eliminate tained employment as a Capitol Hill elevator Southcoast Health System, which joins major insurance coverage for those who can least hospitals in Fall River, New Bedford and afford it. Health care providers are refusing operator through the patronage of Senator Wareham. The President of that system, John to provide essential services because they George McGill of Kansas and graduated from Day, is an extremely knowledgeable student of cannot receive reimbursement for those the George Washington University Law health care in America, and not only does a services. For the first time, many of my col- School. He then was an attorney for the Re- first-rate job of administering the hospital sys- leagues at hospitals have begun to discuss construction Finance Corporation in Wash- tem, he also has been an important source of the elimination of health care services. ington, D.C., from 1935–1937, a regional SouthcoastHealth System, which I oversee, counsel for the War Manpower Commission information for me and others about health gives me a close look at this dilemma. Our care policy. patient population is older, sicker, and poor- from 1942–43, and a regional attorney for the Sadly, but honestly, he recently wrote an er than elsewhere in Massachusetts. More Bureau of Employment Security and the Fed- op-ed piece in the Boston Globe which began than 75 percent of our patients rely solely on eral Security Agency from 1937–52. After the with the quote ‘‘warning’’ that ‘‘a devastating Medicare and Medicaid, which reimburse Democratic Party lost control of the Executive health care crisis is closer than you think.’’ hospitals substantially below our actual Branch, George served as first assistant Wy- John Day is deeply committed to providing the costs. Unlike public safety-net hospitals, andotte County Attorney from 1953–58. At that health care that people need, and he has community hospitals like Southcoast have point, he began running for Congress, losing no statutory entitlement to local or state to incumbent Republican Errett Scrivner in been a leader in providing it to people of funds in order to underwrite the cost of pro- below average income in a part of the state of viding free care to the uninsured. 1954 and 1956. In 1958, however, a strong Massachusetts where that has been an issue. Our merger of St. Luke’s Hospital in New anti-Republican tide ran through the farm and His eloquent plea for a change in our health Bedford, Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall western states, resulting in the defeat of nu- care policy, and his dire—but hardly exagger- River, and Tobey Hospital in Wareham al- merous incumbent Senators and Representa- ated—warnings about what will happen if we lowed us to stabilize the financial footing of tives, including the defeat of Representative do not change, deserve our attention and I our region’s health care system. By cresting Scrivner by Newell George. efficiencies of scale and sharing resources, With Republican dominance returned to ask that his article be printed here. we now provide care where it is needed HEALTH CARE’S BREWING STORM Kansas in 1960, Representative George was most—in our own community. A decade ago defeated for re-election by of (By John B. Day) there did not exist the continuum of care Warning: A devastating health care crisis that is available today for tens of thousands Lawrence, making Newell George the most re- is closer than you think. Like the side-view of families in southeastern Massachusetts. cent resident of Kansas City to represent Kan- mirrors on our cars that warn us ‘‘objects But while we are proud of these accom- sas in the U.S. Congress. After his defeat, are closer than they appear,’’ a rupture in plishments, we know that mergers, consoli- however, George was the first U.S. Attorney the Massachusetts health care system is dation, and cost-cutting maneuvers are not nominated for appointment by the new Ken- more of a real threat than it seems at first enough. The continuing state and federal nedy-Johnson Administration. Newell George or even second glance. The professional funding cuts leave many hospitals with no served as U.S. Attorney for Kansas from health care that patients receive today has choice but to cut core clinical services—serv- given us a false sense of security over the ices everyone expects to receive at their 1961–68. After losing another congressional imperiled state of the entire system. local community hospital. race in 1968 to Representative , Patients across Massachusetts have been During the blizzard of ’78, many coastal Jr., George practiced law privately in Kansas insulated from this reality by the health residents refused to believe they were in real City, Kansas, and died in 1992.

VerDate jul 14 2003 04:01 Apr 28, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27AP8.012 E27PT1 April 27, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E655 Married to the former Jean Hannan of Kan- As U.S. troops fight in Iraq, a safe and King single-handedly revolutionized women’s sas City, Kansas, Newell George was an in- democratic Israel becomes ever more impor- tennis, bringing world attention to the excite- trepid public servant and active, concerned cit- tant. America stands side-by-side with the only ment of the women’s game and fighting to en- izen. In addition to his political activities, he democratic nation in the Middle East and com- sure that men and women compete for equal was a member of Abdallah Shrine, Scottish memorates the 56th anniversary of its inde- prize money. King’s brilliant play and Rite; a master of the West Gate Masonic pendence. unyielding quest for equal opportunities Lodge; president of the Kansas City, Kansas, f opened doors for all women competing in Hi-12 Club; a member of the Kansas State Hi- sports. HONORING NORTHSIDE COLLEGE 12 Association; a member of the Breakfast A true star in her own right, King won a PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Optimist Club; a member of the Wyandotte record 20 Wimbledon titles (winning women’s County, Kansas and American Bar Associa- singles 6 times, doubles 10 times and mixed tions, the American Judicature Society, Delta HON. RAHM EMANUEL doubles 4 times), 13 U.S. Open titles and 29 Theta Phi law fraternity, the American Acad- OF ILLINOIS Virginia Slims singles titles. King is the only emy of Political And Social Science, the Kan- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES woman to win U.S. singles titles on all 4 sur- sas City, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, the Tuesday, April 27, 2004 faces on which it has been played (grass, Terrace Club, the Top o’ the Morning Club, Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to con- clay, carpet and asphalt). She is one of only and the First Presbyterian Church of Kansas gratulate Northside College Preparatory High 8 players to hold a singles title in each of the City, Kansas. School of Chicago for its achievement on win- Grand Slam events. In 1967, she won the tri- Newell George’s other public service in- ning the first place title in the citywide Aca- ple crown of singles, doubles and mixed dou- cluded membership on the Kansas Public Dis- demic Decathlon and the second place posi- bles championships at both Wimbledon and closure Commission; the Civil Service Com- tion at the Illinois Academic Decathlon com- the U.S. Open. mission of Kansas City, Kansas; the Kansas petition on March 13, 2004. In 1968, King became professional and by State Government Ethics Commission; and The Academic Decathlon is a team competi- 1971, she was the first woman athlete in any service as a director of the Kansas Multiple tion wherein students are tested through a di- sport to earn more than $100,000 in a single Sclerosis Society. Nicknamed ‘‘Punk’’ by his verse group of scholastic categories including: year. Over the course of her career, she friends, George’s other activities included art, economics, essay interview, language and earned nearly $2 million in prize money. By managing a string of boxers, after boxing him- literature, mathematics, music science, social the time she stopped playing competitively in self at Wentworth Military Academy; bowling; science and speech. 1984, she had won 71 singles championships and adding to a collection of old books—main- With up to nine members from each team and had been ranked in the world’s top ten 17 ly Bibles and McGuffey readers—begun by his competing in all ten events of the decathlon times, number one in the world 5 times and father. and representing a diversity of scholastic apti- number one in the U.S. seven times. Explain- In short, Mr. Speaker, Newell A. George tude, the true spirit of this year’s ‘‘America: ing her success, she has said, ‘‘No one was the kind of community oriented, politically The Growth of a Nation’’ theme has been ad- changes the world who isn’t obsessed.’’ active individual who made things happen on vanced. King had been a strong advocate of wom- the state and local level in so many American The decathlon, which was first created by en’s tennis and women’s rights throughout her cities during the middle third of the twentieth Dr. Robert Peterson, has helped maximize the career. She convinced her colleagues to form century. With regard to Kansas and Kansas learning potential of young minds through a players’ union in 1973, the Women’s Tennis City, he was one of a small but hardy group competitive challenge. Northside College Pre- Association. She was then the 1972 U.S. of Democratic activists who kept two-party paratory has shown its ability to shine among Open women’s singles champion and had government alive in one of our country’s most the best and brightest of Chicago’s academic been outraged that her prize money was Republican states. It is fitting, therefore, that community. $15,000 less than the male champion. She the House consider the legislation introduced As winners of the citywide Academic De- threatened not to play unless the prize money today by the bipartisan Kansas House delega- cathlon, the eight students from Northside Col- was equalized by the following year and she tion that will designate Kansas City, Kansas’, lege Prep High School went on to compete in persuaded U.S. Open organizers that the civic center post office in memory of U.S. Rep- the Illinois Academic Decathlon, and partici- other women players would also sit out the resentative Newell George. pated in the semifinals of one of the most game. In 1973, the U.S. Open became the prestigious high school academic competition f first major tournament to offer equal prize in the United States. money for men and women. ISRAEL INDEPENDENCE DAY I commend each of our Northside College In 1973, she accepted a challenge from Preparatory High School competitors: Andrew Bobby Riggs, former Wimbledon champion HON. JOE BACA Miller, Catherine Cobb, Gathi Abraham, John and self-professed male chauvinist pig. The Fitzgerald, Caitlin Lill, Aidan Roche, Geoffrey OF prize was a winner-take-all $100,000. The Kriston and Daniel Roe. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES heavily promoted match drew 30,472 spec- Reaching this level of competition is a tre- tators to the arena and attracted 50 million tel- Tuesday, April 27, 2004 mendous achievement and one that deserves evision viewers worldwide, a record for any Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to com- special recognition. Northside College Pre- tennis match. King played along with the the- memorate the 56th anniversary of Israel’s paratory students set the strong example for atrics: She was carried in on a litter by four independence. academic excellence that the Academic De- men in short togas. Riggs was wheeled in on For 56 years, Israel has faced existential cathlon seeks to attain. a rickshaw pulled by models he dubbed ‘‘Bob- threats. Born out of the ashes of the Holo- Mr. Speaker, I join with all residents of the by’s Bosom Buddies.’’ Once the game got un- caust, Israel has offered its shores to the most Fifth Congressional District of Illinois in con- derway, however, they were all business. King vulnerable of the world’s Jewry. gratulating Northside College Preparatory High thrilled the crowd with an outstanding game of Israel is a refuge to the persecuted and has School on its achievement. I wish the Aca- tennis, beating Riggs in straight sets, 6–4, 6– rescued Jews from Germany, Morocco, Iraq, demic Decathlon competitors the best of luck 3 and 6–3. She proved that women’s tennis Iran, Cuba, Ethiopia, Russia and other coun- and continued success as their education con- was at least as exciting as the men’s game, tries where Jewish minorities were threatened. tinues. I am very proud of these young and fu- and that women deserved the same attention She has persevered because to fail would ture leaders of tomorrow. It is my privilege to and prize money as their male counterparts. take away the one safe haven that Jews represent them in the U.S. Congress. King co-founded the Women’s Sports Foun- around the world have from historical charges f dation, dedicated to promoting sports opportu- and anti-Semitic acts. HONORING BILLIE JEAN KING nities for women. In 1989 she helped found It was 56 years ago that the Jewish State of the coed World Team Tennis and served as Israel declared its independence and became HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY its CEO. She is currently the director and offi- the first and only democratic nation in the Mid- cial spokesperson for the organization, as well OF NEW YORK dle East. as a TV commentator. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES In those 56 years, Israel has defended itself Additionally, King coached the U.S. Olympic from war, terrorism and anti-Semitism. It has Tuesday, April 27, 2004 team, leading the U.S. squad to four Olympic endured unbearable losses and terrible sac- Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to medals. She also coached the U.S. Fed Cup rifices. honor Billie Jean King, a true American hero. teams to victory in 1976, 1996, 1999 and

VerDate jul 14 2003 04:01 Apr 28, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A27AP8.017 E27PT1