November 28, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1611 PAYING TRIBUTE TO MEL TILLIS Cancer Awareness Month. As such, I would TRIBUTE TO BARBARA AND ARLIN like to help acknowledge all those affected by BELL HON. STEVE COHEN this type of cancer and to bring more aware- OF TENNESSEE ness to the medical research needed to help HON. DAVID YOUNG fight this disease. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF IOWA In June 2017, the Pancreatic Cancer Action IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, November 28, 2017 Network reported that pancreatic cancer is Tuesday, November 28, 2017 Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay trib- ranked the ninth most commonly diagnosed ute to country music’s stellar singer-songwriter cancer among women and the 11th among Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise Mel Tillis, the Country Music Association’s en- men, and is the third leading cause of cancer- today to recognize and congratulate Barbara tertainer of the year in 1976, who overcame a related death in the United States. and Arlin Bell of Council Bluffs, Iowa on the lifetime of stuttering through song. Lonnie Mel- In fact, I have been contacted by several very special occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. They celebrated their anniversary vin Tillis died earlier this month at 85. He had constituents who have lost loved ones to pan- on September 15, 2017. six No. 1 country singles as a singer, including creatic cancer. Barbara and Arlin’s lifelong commitment to ‘‘Good Woman Blues’’ in 1976 and ‘‘Southern According to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancreatic cancer is often found in each other and their family truly embodies Rains’’ in 1981 and wrote such memorable Iowa values. As they reflect on their 60th anni- tunes as ‘‘I’m Tired’’ for Webb Pierce, ‘‘The its advanced stages and is both difficult to de- tect and to treat. Unfortunately, major symp- versary, may their commitment grow even Snakes Crawl at Night’’ for Charley Pride and, toms of pancreatic cancer, which include nau- stronger, as they continue to love, cherish, with Danny Dill and Carl Perkins, the Patsy sea, diabetes, abdominal or back pain, and and honor one another for many years to Cline hit ‘‘So Wrong.’’ Mel’s songs explored loss of appetite, among others, are often over- come. the dark caverns of deep emotion typified by looked as symptomatic of more common Mr. Speaker, I commend this great couple his somber ballad ‘‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your health conditions. The organization stated that on their 60th year together and I wish them Love to Town,’’ about a cheating wife, which about 71 percent of individuals will not live many more. I ask that my colleagues in the was a big hit for Kenny Rogers in 1969. Mel past the first year of diagnosis and the dis- United States House of Representatives join was also inducted into the Nashville Song- ease is projected to move from the third lead- me in congratulating them on this momentous writers Hall of Fame in 1976 and to the Coun- ing cause of cancer-related death to the sec- occasion and in wishing them nothing but the try Music Hall of Fame in 2007. I want to ex- ond by 2020. best. tend my condolences to his family, particularly Tragically, the five-year survival rate for f my friend and Mel’s singer-songwriter daugh- those with pancreatic cancer is nine percent— TRIBUTE TO DALE SUNDERMAN ter Pam Tillis, who recorded a tribute disk for the lowest survival rate among major forms of her father in 2002: ‘‘It’s All Relative: Tillis cancer. We must utilize all federal resources Sings Tillis.’’ Although he was born and died available to meet this devastating disease HON. DAVID YOUNG in Florida, Tennesseans and all Americans will head on and ensure better outcomes for pa- OF IOWA remember and cherish forever his lovely bari- tients and their families. That is why I have IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tone and haunting lyrics. America has lost a consistently advocated for an increase in fund- Tuesday, November 28, 2017 true original. ing for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise f to ensure that projects—including those which today to recognize and congratulate Dale TRIBUTE TO MARY AND LARRY seek to find cures, improve treatments and Sunderman of Atlantic, Iowa, who recently HARRISON gain a better understanding of the complex celebrated 40 years of service in the Cass causes of cancers that affect millions of Amer- County Auditor’s office. Dale has served as icans—are well funded. This fall, I supported County Auditor since 1984. HON. DAVID YOUNG an increase in funding for NIH in the FY 2018 Dale began employment in the Cass County OF IOWA Omnibus Appropriations Act, which includes Auditor’s office on October 10, 1977. Dale IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES $5.5 billion for the National Cancer Institute. said, ‘‘I was hired because of my background Tuesday, November 28, 2017 I also urged the House Appropriations Com- in mathematics and accounting. Logic is a mittee to include pancreatic cancer as an eligi- good part of the job, too.’’ His first role was to Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise ble research category in the Peer Reviewed today to recognize and congratulate Mary and assist with the elections. Dale said he has Cancer Research Program (PRCRP)—and the seen many changes in the Auditor’s office Larry Harrison of Council Bluffs, Iowa on the House bill, which passed on June 16th, main- very special occasion of their 50th wedding over the years from a manual record keeping tained this eligibility. The Department of De- process to the modern computer technology of anniversary. They were married on September fense conducts high-impact innovative re- 9, 1967 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in today. He said he has worked with many dif- search through the PRCRP that has been ferent county supervisors, and he felt he al- Corning, Iowa. used to improve early detection of pancreatic Mary and Larry’s lifelong commitment to ways had a great working relationship with cancer, to better understand the prognosis of them, and focused on serving the citizens of each other and their family truly embodies pancreatic cancer patients, and to improve the Iowa values. As they reflect on their 50th anni- Cass County. well-being of individuals with a pancreatic can- Mr. Speaker, I applaud and congratulate versary, may their commitment grow even cer diagnosis. Dale Sunderman for the 40 years of service stronger, as they continue to love, cherish, While these resources for pancreatic cancer he has provided to the citizens of Cass Coun- and honor one another for many years to are an important investment, we know that so ty, Iowa. He is a shining example of how hard come. often laudable initiatives and innovative re- work and dedication can make a difference in Mr. Speaker, I commend this great couple search projects sit idle because of funding lim- so many lives. I am proud to represent him in on their 50th year together and I wish them itations. Therefore, we must continue to work the United States Congress. I ask that my col- many more. I ask that my colleagues in the to ensure that these research projects receive leagues in the House of Representatives join United States House of Representatives join sufficient resources. me in congratulating Dale and wishing him me in congratulating them on this momentous Those suffering from pancreatic cancer, as nothing but continued success in all his en- occasion and in wishing them nothing but the well as their loved ones and caregivers, need deavors. best. vocal advocates on Capitol Hill to ensure ac- f f cess to quality care and treatments. We have a duty to see that programs which research TRIBUTE TO BERTA AND CHARLIE PANCREATIC CANCER detection and treatment are supported appro- KORDICK priately at a federal level. It is my hope that, HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH by recognizing Pancreatic Cancer Awareness HON. DAVID YOUNG Month, we can raise awareness of the risks of OF NEW JERSEY OF IOWA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES pancreatic cancer and the urgency to treat it. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES I look forward to continuing to work with my Tuesday, November 28, 2017 colleagues in Congress and with advocates Tuesday, November 28, 2017 Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, No- across the nation as we move forward in this Mr. YOUNG of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I rise vember has been dedicated as Pancreatic fight against cancer. today to recognize and congratulate Berta and

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