May 20, 2009 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 10 13163 I am also pleased to see that the bill in- velop their skills and to perform the music of TRIBUTE TO RODGER MCFARLANE, creases funding for Essential Air Service. different cultures and heritages. On April 17, PIONEER IN THE LGBT CIVIL Coming from a rural district, I understand how 2009 during the NOVA-Annandale Symphony RIGHTS AND HIV/AIDS MOVE- critical EAS is to economic development. Orchestra’s 15th Anniversary celebration, The MENTS Rural communities across America count on Reunion Music Society announced the award EAS to preserve affordable, reliable air serv- recipients in two special categories: The Rich- HON. DIANA DeGETTE ice. The EAS program is a major piece of our ardson-Watkins Founders Awards, which rec- OF COLORADO rural transportation infrastructure and greatly ognize persons or businesses from the com- enhances the ability of these communities to munity that have made significant contribu- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES attract and retain new business investment. I tions to the success of the Reunion Music So- Wednesday, May 20, 2009 support continued efforts to maintain this vital ciety’s programs, and The Orchestra/Players Ms. DEGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise to program and urge my colleagues to support Awards, which are given to musicians who honor the extraordinary life and accomplish- this legislation. have made significant contributions to the suc- ments of Rodger McFarlane. A pioneer and cess and development of the Symphony over f legend in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and several years and are selected by their peers transgender (LGBT) civil rights and HIV/AIDS A PROCLAMATION HONORING RON in the orchestra. VANVOORHIS, TEACHER AT EAST movements, this remarkable man merits our The recipients of The Richardson-Watkins recognition and our esteem for his unprece- MUSKINGUM MIDDLE SCHOOL, Founders Awards are: FOR GIVING STUDENTS THE OP- dented contributions to our nation and to the Annandale Florist, Inc. and Mr. Gary PORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE world. Sherfey for many years of providing com- WASHINGTON, DC FOR 30 YEARS Sadly, Rodger was taken from us far too plimentary flower arrangements displayed on young, at age 54. Larry Kramer, Rodger’s HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE the theater stage at the Symphony Orchestra longtime partner and collaborator, has said concerts and for helping to promote concerts that Rodger ‘‘did more for the gay world than OF OHIO through displays at the florist shop. any person has ever done.’’ Rodger was at IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Norman Johnston, a long-time volunteer the forefront of responding to the AIDS epi- Wednesday, May 20, 2009 and one of the founding members of the RMS, demic as it began to ravage our country in the who served on the Board of Directors for Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: early 1980’s. Before HIV even had a name, in many years. He continues to support the Sym- Whereas, Ron VanVoorhis, initiated East 1981, Rodger set up the first HIV/AIDS hotline phony Orchestra by serving as the organiza- Muskingum Middle School’s annual trips to anywhere; in fact, he used his home phone. tion’s graphic artist as well as providing signifi- Washington, D.C.; and Rodger, one of the original volunteers at Gay cant financial support both personally and Whereas, Mr. VanVoorhis has been respon- Men’s Health Crisis, the nation’s first and larg- through the solicitation of paid advertising. sible for close to 4,000 students being able to est provider of AIDS client services and public Dr. Bruce Mann, Dean of Liberal Arts at see and experience Washington, D.C.; and education programs, became its first paid ex- Northern Virginia Community College’s Annan- Whereas, Mr. VanVoorhis has consistently ecutive director. Until his death, Rodger was dale campus, who serves as the college’s liai- attended each trip, missing only one year for the president emeritus of Bailey House, the son to the RMS. He oversees the music the birth of his daughter; and nation’s first and largest provider of supportive courses that involve college students and Whereas, Mr. VanVoorhis has provided this housing for homeless people with HIV. Rodger members of the Symphony Orchestra and co- service without stipend and consistently at was also a founding member of ACT UP–NY, ordinates the scheduling of concerts and re- very low cost, saving each student an average the pioneering protest group responsible for hearsals. In addition, he successfully solicits of $100 per trip; now, therefore, be it sweeping changes to public policy as well as and obtains financial resources for concerts. Resolved, that along with his friends, family, drug treatment and delivery processes. Dr. Mann is presently serving his fourth year and the residents of the 18th Congressional In 1989, Rodger became executive director on RMS’ Board of Directors. District, I commend Mr. Ron VanVoorhis on of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, merg- his service to the East Muskingum Middle The recipients of The Orchestra/Players ing two small industry-based fundraising School, and congratulate him on his 30 years Awards are: groups into one of America’s most successful of service in bringing the students of EMMS to Mr. Claiborne T. Richardson II: For the last and influential AIDS fundraising and grant- Washington, D.C. to give them a better idea of 15 years ‘‘Clai’’ has generously contributed his making organizations. From 2004 to 2008, what it means to be an American citizen. time and talent to the Symphony Orchestra Rodger served as the executive director of the helping it to grow and thrive. As the orches- f Denver-based Gill Foundation, one of the na- tra’s percussion and timpani section leader he tion’s largest funders of programs advocating IN HONOR OF THE 15TH ANNIVER- leads and teaches his section, which is com- for LGBT equality. Rodger was instrumental in SARY OF THE NOVA-ANNANDALE posed of many budding musicians, while en- the creation of the Gill Foundation’s sister or- SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND IN couraging and promoting the works of new ganization, Gill Action. RECOGNITION OF THE 2009 young composers. Clai is a mainstay musician Rodger took three organizations in their in- AWARDS RECIPIENTS with the other RMS programs—the Annandale fancy and grew each into a powerhouse to Brass, Reunion Music Society Jazz Orchestra, tackle the international tragedy of HIV/AIDS. HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY and the Chris Johnston Trio. At Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Rodger increased OF VIRGINIA Ms. Jody Smalley: Jody has been playing fundraising from a few thousand dollars to the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the violin with the Symphony Orchestra since $25 million agency it is today. During his ten- it was formed 15 years ago. As vice president ure at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, he Tuesday, May 19, 2009 of the Orchestra’s Board of Directors, Jody ar- increased the organization’s annual revenue Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speak- ranges for guest musicians to rehearse and from less than $1 million to more than $5 mil- er, I rise today to congratulate the NOVA-An- perform with the Orchestra. Her production of lion, while also leveraging an additional $40 nandale Symphony Orchestra on the occasion CD’s of music to assist other musicians with million annually through strategic alliances of their 15th Anniversary and to pay tribute to their individual practices and the Power Point with other funders and corporate partnerships. their 2009 Award Recipients. presentation she prepares to accompany the He transformed the Gill Foundation by sharp- In 1994, Dr. Claiborne Richardson of The annual ‘‘Winter Wonderland’’ program helps to ening its strategic purpose, focusing its philan- Reunion Music Society and Dr. Gladys Wat- ensure the high quality of the performances. thropy in the states, aligning its investment kins of the Northern Virginia Community Col- Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join with political imperatives, and forging alliances lege formed a partnership between the two or- me in congratulating the NOVA-Annandale that furthered both the LGBT movement and ganizations to create the NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra on their 15th Anniver- the progressive movement as a whole. Symphony Orchestra. This orchestra com- sary and paying tribute to the recipients of The The breadth of Rodger’s accomplishments bines the talents of local professional and Richardson-Watkins Founder’s Awards and of is astounding. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, amateur musicians and college students to de- the Orchestra/Player Awards. Rodger was a licensed nuclear engineer who

VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:29 Sep 12, 2011 Jkt 059102 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR09\E20MY9.000 E20MY9 erowe on DSK5CLS3C1PROD with BOUND RECORD 13164 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 155, Pt. 10 May 20, 2009 conducted strategic missions in the North At- spread along five miles of roads. The IN RECOGNITION OF THE lantic and far Arctic regions aboard a fast at- groundskeepers mow an average of 35 times PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY tack submarine. A gifted athlete, he was a vet- per year, totaling 1,600 acres. eran of seven over-ice expeditions to the I want to salute the board members and HON. DEBORAH L. HALVORSON North Pole. He also competed internationally staff members, past and present, of the Oak- OF ILLINOIS for many years as an elite tri-athlete. wood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, for the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Although Rodger never completed college, important work that they have done for 125 he was an accomplished and best-selling au- years. Wednesday, May 20, 2009 thor and producer of works for the stage. Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, today Rodger co-wrote several books, including The f I rise to recognize the Princeton Public Library Complete Bedside Companion: No Nonsense in Bureau County, Illinois. The Princeton Pub- Advice on Caring for the Seriously Ill (Simon THE MEDICAL RIGHTS ACT OF 2009, lic Library was recently the host of ‘‘Between & Schuster, 1998), and most recently, Larry H.R. 2516 Fences,’’ an exhibition from Museum on Main Kramer’s The Tragedy of Today’s Gays (Pen- Street, a partnership of the Smithsonian Insti- guin, 2005). In 1993, he co-produced the Pul- tution Traveling Exhibition Service and the itzer Prize-nominated production of Larry Kra- HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK Federation of State Humanities Councils. The mers The Destiny of Me, the sequel to The OF ILLINOIS Princeton Public Library is only one of two Illi- Normal Heart. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nois libraries that have been granted the op- Rodger’s many achievements led to well-de- portunity to host this exhibit. served awards; he was recognized with hon- Wednesday, May 20, 2009 The exhibit embraces the use and existence ors such as the New York City Distinguished of fences as an important facet of United Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to Service Award, the Presidential Voluntary Ac- States history. Fences are indicative of the stand here today to introduce the Medical tion Award, the Eleanor Roosevelt Award, the owners lives, their property, and their relation- Rights Act of 2009 that will protect the doctor- Emery Award from the Hetrick Martin Institute, ship with their neighbors. For this reason, the patient relationship, the integrity of the medical and Tony and Drama Desk honors. Most re- Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities profession and the right of Americans to cently, he received the Patient Advocacy Councils chose to highlight fences as an inte- choose the care they deem appropriate with- Award from the American Psychiatric Associa- gral part of the fabric of communities through out federal delay or restriction. tion. history. Beyond his professional contributions, The President outlined three principles for The mission of the Museum on Main Street friends knew Rodger as a devoted caregiver health care reform—lower costs, choice and project is to respond creatively to the chal- who nursed countless friends and family mem- access. I support these goals. To back them, lenge faced by rural museums to enhance bers battling cancer and AIDS. He was the the President should endorse the Medical their own cultural legacies. Princeton, a com- most compassionate and giving of friends, es- Rights Act. Our legislation is founded on this: munity of just under 8,000 residents, is thrilled pecially to those in physical or emotional dis- Congress should make no law to block the de- to feature ‘‘Between Fences’’ and I am hon- tress. A hallmark of his personality, his humor cisions that American patients make with their ored to represent them. made him stand out from the rest. doctor. If patients are our prime focus, their Please join me in paying tribute to the life of rights should be protected in law. f Rodger McFarlane, a constituent of mine, who We can look to Great Britain and Canada to was a tireless activist, a brilliant strategist, a show us how government takeover of health SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS remarkable leader, and a treasured friend. A care puts Congress, then the government in man who achieved so much in such a short charge of your health care decisions, allowing Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, time, Rodger will be missed by many. Denver them to decide what treatments you should or agreed to by the Senate on February 4, is better for the time he spent there. Our world should not have. While over 60 percent of 1977, calls for establishment of a sys- is better for the time he spent here. Americans are actually satisfied with their tem for a computerized schedule of all f health care plan, only 55 percent of Canadian meetings and hearings of Senate com- mittees, subcommittees, joint commit- 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF OAKWOOD seniors are satisfied. The starkest difference in care appears when you are sickest. In Britain, tees, and committees of conference. CEMETERY IN MT. VERNON, ILLI- This title requires all such committees NOIS government hospitals maintain nine intensive care unit beds per 100,000 people. In Amer- to notify the Office of the Senate Daily ica, we have three times that number at 31 Digest—designated by the Rules Com- HON. JOHN SHIMKUS per 100,000. In sum, Britain has less than two mittee—of the time, place, and purpose OF ILLINOIS doctors per 1,000 people, ranking it next to of the meetings, when scheduled, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mexico and Turkey. any cancellations or changes in the meetings as they occur. Wednesday, May 20, 2009 If we do not enact the Medical Rights Act, As an additional procedure along Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today patients will be at risk when government de- with the computerization of this infor- to note the 125th anniversary of Oakwood nies care, as they routinely do in Canada and mation, the Office of the Senate Daily Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Great Britain. Once denied government care, Digest will prepare this information for Since Oakwood’s formal recognition in many Canadians find doctors in the U.S. If printing in the Extensions of Remarks Congress orders the government to take over 1883, concerned local citizens have worked section of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD tirelessly to ensure that those in the commu- America’s health care, where can we drive on Monday and Wednesday of each nity who have left this life have a peaceful and once care is denied by a new government week. dignified final resting place. This Memorial health care system? To prevent this night- Meetings scheduled for Thursday, Day, the hard-working staff, which does so mare, Congress should pass the Medical May 21, 2009 may be found in the Daily Rights Act. much to maintain Oakwood, will welcome area Digest of today’s RECORD. residents to the annual Memorial Day Week- We need to promote patient-centered health end Drive-Thru. Local citizens can visit the care reform, where every American has ac- MEETINGS SCHEDULED resting places of such prominent citizens as cess to the care they need, when they need JUNE 2 the city’s first mayor, James Pace, Civil War it. It is not the role of the federal government Generals C.W. Pavey and W.B. Anderson, to decide the type of care a patient should 10 a.m. Environment and Public Works and Illinois Governor L.L. Emmerson. have but the role of doctors and medical pro- To hold hearings to examine the nomina- Over the decades, local residents have put fessionals. I urge my colleagues to support the tion of Victor M. Mendez, of Arizona, great efforts in creating a beautiful and serene Medical Rights Act to stop the federal govern- to be Administrator of the Federal final resting place. According to its official his- ment from taking control over decisions made Highway Administration. tory, the cemetery has over 9,000 markers by you and your doctor. SD–406

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