E1154 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 27, 2002 HONORING DEBORAH A. CHAM- STATEMENT COMMEMORATING HONORING DR. WALTER L. BERS, CRNA, MHSA PRESIDENT THE PASSING OF AMVETS BUSTER, ED.D. OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOUNDING MEMBER ALBERT C. OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS GEREMIA HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH OF CALIFORNIA HON. LINDSEY O. GRAHAM HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF SOUTH CAROLINA Wednesday, June 26, 2002 OF RHODE ISLAND IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise Wednesday, June 26, 2002 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today to honor Dr. Walter Buster upon his re- tirement as Superintendent of Clovis Unified Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Wednesday, June 26, 2002 School District. Dr. Buster was honored at a pay tribute to an outstanding resident of South dinner among his colleagues, friends, and Carolina, Deborah A. Chambers. Ms. Cham- Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I was sad- family. bers will soon complete her year as national dened to learn of the recent passing of a Dr. Buster has dedicated his life to edu- president of the American Association of former constituent of Rhode Island’s Second cation and has served many communities Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). I am very pleased District, Albert C. Geremia, native and long- throughout California. Walter’s colleagues that one of South Carolina’s own was tapped time resident of the City of Providence. Mr. agree, regardless of his position, he contrib- as the 2001–2002 president of this prestigious Geremia passed away on June 4th at Hickory utes vision, leadership, and ingenuity to his national organization. House Nursing Home in Honeybrook, Pennsyl- team. He has orchestrated many programs in The AANA is the professional association vania. Mr. Geremia was a Navy veteran of the Clovis Unified School District in the seven that represents over 28,000 practicing Cer- World War II and had a long and distinguished years he has been there. Four of his top pro- tified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). career in management for two Providence grams illustrate his unique ability to visualize Founded in 1931, the American Association of firms. As a Navy veteran, Mr. Geremia was a current needs with respect for the future. He Nurse Anesthetists is the professional associa- founding member of the Congressionally-char- implemented ‘‘Laptops for Learners,’’ a joint tion representing CRNAs nationwide. As you tered veterans service organization, AMVETS, venture with Microsoft and Toshiba to supply may know, CRNAs administer more than 65 of which Mr. Geremia was the last surviving all students with laptops to perform their daily percent of the anesthetics given to patients founder. classroom activities. Dr. Buster saw another of each year in the United States. CRNAs pro- Mr. Geremia was one of eighteen individ- his visions come to fruition with the develop- vide anesthesia for all types of surgical cases uals who began AMVETS. He worked to se- ment of the Center for Advanced Research and are the sole anesthesia provider in over cure its Congressional charter and to establish and Technology. The center will provide up to two-thirds of rural hospitals, affording these 1,800 11th and 12th grade students with ad- medical facilities obstetrical, surgical and trau- an office in Washington, DC. For his efforts, vanced project-based training in 12 different ma stabilization capabilities. They work in AMVETS awarded him the organization’s ‘‘Ray technology based laboratory environments. every setting in which anesthesia is delivered, Sawyer Award’’ at their 1952 National Con- Walter realizes the importance of reading to including hospital surgical suites and obstet- vention. Since its founding in 1944 in Kansas students, and put into action yet another pro- rical delivery rooms; ambulatory surgical cen- City, AMVETS has worked tirelessly on behalf gram, called ‘‘Community of Readers.’’ Volun- ters and the offices of dentists, podiatrists, and of America’s veterans and the community at teers from the community dedicate one hour plastic surgeons. large. Veterans across the nation owe men like Albert Geremia a debt of gratitude for all per week to read with the students. Always Debbie has been a nurse anesthetist since keeping in mind the importance of being an in- 1981. She received both her anesthesia train- they have done to keep and protect those benefits promised to our veterans. fluential citizen within the community, Dr. Bust- ing and Masters of Health Service Administra- er started ‘‘Character Counts!’’ a program that tion at the Medical University of South Caro- Our nation can never have too many men teaches students six core principles: responsi- lina, in Charleston, SC. She has been a solo the caliber of Albert Geremia. By helping to bility, respect, fairness, caring, citizenship, and practitioner since 1993 at the Microsurgery found AMVETS, he strove for something larg- trustworthiness. Center in Anderson, SC, as well as in both er than himself. A man should not be remem- Dr. Buster’s contributions to the Clovis edu- Greenville Memorial Medical Center and Saint bered for the wealth and possessions he cation system are obvious, but he has also Francis Bon Secours Hospital System in earned in life, but rather, for what sort of man made a tremendous impact on the community. Greenville, SC. In addition to her role as a he was and what he did to make the world a He serves on many state and local education solo practitioner, she was the Clinical Coordi- better place. and business committees. The State Board of nator at the Medical University of South Caro- Education recently appointed Dr. Buster to the lina School of Nurse Anesthesia at Greenville Mr. Geremia is survived by his wife, Anne, a daughter, Linda, and son, Paul. I offer them WestEd Board of Directors, a non-profit re- Memorial Medical Center from 1988–2000. search, development and service agency dedi- Even with her demanding schedule as a prac- my deepest condolences at this time of great loss, and I hope they will take great comfort in cated to improving education and other oppor- ticing nurse anesthetist and AANA president, tunities for children, youth and adults. Debbie has continued to be active as a CRNA knowing how fondly Albert will be remembered representative for pharmaceutical advisory by those whose lives he touched. f panels such as Pharmacia and Glaxo Smith AN AMERICAN COWBOY LEGEND: Kline since 2001 in order to advance the prac- f BEN COOPER tice of anesthesia. Debbie has held various leadership posi- PERSONAL EXPLANATION HON. JAMES A. BARCIA tions in the AANA as regional director, vice OF MICHIGAN president, and president-elect before becom- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing the national president of the AANA in HON. DAVID E. BONIOR 2001. Ms. Chambers has actively served with- OF MICHIGAN Wednesday, June 26, 2002 in the SC Association of Nurse Anesthetist as Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a District Representative on the board of di- pay tribute to the voluminous and noteworthy rectors and then in 1994 as state president. Wednesday, June 26, 2002 acting career of Ben Cooper, a performer Since 1994, Debbie has taken her experience whose work in the Western genre has in- and knowledge from the work place and her Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, due to commit- formed and entertained generations of young- AANA leadership roles to lecture on political ments in my home state of Michigan, I was sters about the history and the myths of the and academic anesthesia related topics before unable to cast votes on Monday, June 24. Old West. Many fans may recognize that Ben different professional groups and societies. Had I been present, I would have voted: ‘‘yea’’ has always had a special place in his heart for Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join on rollcall 249, on agreeing to H.R. 3937; the Western, but perhaps not everyone knows with me today in recognizing Ms. Deborah A. ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall 250, on agreeing to H.R. that he met his wife, Pamela, while working on Chambers, CRNA, MHSA, for her notable ca- 3786; ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall 251, on agreeing to the ‘‘Wagon Train’’ series with Ward Bond. reer and outstanding achievements. Congratu- H.R. 3971; and ‘‘yea’’ on rollcall 252, on While Ben is perhaps best known for his lations Debbie. agreeing to H.J. Res. 95. role in the non-western drama, ‘‘The Rose

VerDate 112000 03:48 Jun 28, 2002 Jkt 099061 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A26JN8.004 pfrm12 PsN: E27PT1 June 27, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1155 Tattoo,’’ he made his mark in many terrific Christmas tree—gifts that never were to be doubt, she has lived this motto throughout the Westerns, including ‘‘Johnny Guitar,’’ with opened. years that have passed since Christmas Eve, Joan Crawford and Sterling Hayden. He also Across town on that fateful night, Paul and 1992. She has stood tall and is truly a hero to had prominent roles in ‘‘Jubilee Trail,’’ ‘‘The Melanie Cravens picked up Melanie’s three many. Last Command,’’ ‘‘Outlaw’s Son,’’ and as daughters—Kandyce, Erin and Kacee Much of my admiration for Nadine Milford Johnny Shattuck in ‘‘Duel at Apache Wells.’’ In Woodard—at their father’s west-side Albu- 1965, Ben starred with Audie Murphy in ‘‘Gun- querque home. They decided to go see the stems from her enduring commitment to fight- fight at Comanche Creek’’ and ‘‘Arizona Raid- lights from Nine Mile Hill, west of the city on ing the good fight. Her values are reflected not ers.’’ Interstate 40. But before they topped the hill, only in the way she lives her life, but also in Before moving to Hollywood, Ben was al- they were struck by a pickup driving down the her intelligence and honesty. She will undoubt- ready an extremely successful performer with wrong side of the highway. edly be missed at MADD, but her legacy will 3,200 radio broadcasts and 250 live television Melanie and the three girls were killed in- endure, and she will never stop advocating for shows under his belt. His first film credit was stantly. Paul Cravens somehow survived, as the elimination of drunk driving. for his work in the Republic Studios film, ‘‘The did the driver of the pickup. Blood tests later Nadine, I wish you well in whatever future Thunderbirds.’’ While the bulk of Ben’s big- showed that the driver was well over the legal endeavors you pursue. screen work was in the 1950s and 1960s, his alcohol limit. Mr. Speaker, I will not go into the legal debacle that ensued on this case for the career has covered more than fifty years, in- f cluding two 1971 Westerns, ‘‘One More Train next several years, other than to say it was to Rob’’ and ‘‘Support Your Local Gunfighter,’’ painful and finally created the traction nec- VETERANS’ BENEFITS in which he played Colorado Magee. Over the essary for stronger drunk driving laws. years, Ben appeared in various movies and New Mexicans were inconsolable that had many guest appearances on hit television Christmas Eve when the local news began re- HON. DUNCAN HUNTER shows, including ‘‘Kung Fu: The Legend Con- porting what had occurred. Then they got tinues,’’ ‘‘The Fall Guy,’’ ‘‘Bonanza,’’ and ‘‘The mad. Our citizens demanded action to combat OF CALIFORNIA Rifleman.’’ He also had a longrunning part in the state’s DWI problem—and they got it. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ‘‘The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo’’ with I have been fortunate enough to be a first- Claude Akins from 1979 to 1981. hand witness to Nadine’s many accomplish- Wednesday, June 26, 2002 In the 1960s, Ben formed Celebrity Speak- ments. At the time, I was proudly serving as ers, a group that booked actors on the lecture the Attorney General of New Mexico. Earlier Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to circuit. Ben’s belief that the magnificent and that year, I had appointed a DWI Task Force speak on an issue that is very important to our hard-working character actors cast as side- to study what our state could do to fight drunk nation’s veterans. If you were to ask Ameri- kicks, saddle tramps, bank robbers and in driving. We issued our report to the State Leg- cans if they knew that their veterans were other essential supporting roles were equally islature as they convened in January. being denied benefits to which they earned in capable of acting as goodwill ambassadors for Throughout the next few years, we worked an effort to save money, there would be out- Hollywood has given us all a better under- to lower the legal blood-alcohol limit, tough- rage. Well Mr. Speaker, I am sorry to say that standing of film-making. ened penalties for drunk driving and set aside that is exactly what has been occurring for Finally, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to millions of dollars to fund local anti-DWI ef- many years. forts. The state also began widespread use of join me in applauding Ben Cooper for exhib- Today, veterans who served our country sobriety checkpoints and passed a ‘‘zero toler- iting the true spirit of the American cowboy- and retire after 20 years but endure a service- hero. Whether Ben wore a white or a black ance’’ law that strips minors of their licenses connected disability, have their disability bene- Stetson, his characters were memorable and when they are caught drinking and driving. fits offset dollar-for-dollar by a reduction in we should tip our collective hats to Ben Coo- Throughout all of this, there was one person per, another legendary hero of the Old West. in the spotlight who became the focal point of their retirement pay. This unfair practice is a disgrace for those who selflessly served our f this crusade, and that was Nadine. She could have sunk under the depression that engulfed country and sacrificed so much on our behalf. TRIBUTE TO NADINE MILFORD, her. Instead, she leaned on her deep faith and These offset dollars are taken away from vet- NEW MEXICO MADD STATE CHAIR the love of her family and seemingly overnight erans seeking to make a better life, send chil- transformed herself into the new face of DWI dren through college or have an opportunity to HON. TOM UDALL reform. Nadine could never have imagined spend time with grandchildren. OF NEW MEXICO that she would one day be tapped to lead Well Mr. Speaker, there is good news. After IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES such a worthy fight. Ultimately, I cannot think many years of trying to correct this problem, I of anyone better to have done it. am very proud that my committee, the House Wednesday, June 26, 2002 When Nadine was selected as the Mothers Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I Against Drunk Driving State Chair in 1999, Armed Services Committee, included a provi- rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding she was totally devoted to fighting for MADD’s sion granting concurrent receipt for our most New Mexican, my friend, Nadine Milford. On mission to stop drunk-driving. She has also severely disabled retirees in H.R. 4546, the June 30, after a successful three-year term, comforted countless numbers of families who Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act Nadine will step down as the Mothers Against have been affected by a drunk driving death. for Fiscal Year 2003. This provision provides Drunk Driving State Chair. I will take this time Being so modest, I doubt that Nadine even $5.8 billion to phase in, over a five-year pe- to pay tribute to Nadine for her efforts to elimi- realizes the positive impact that she has had riod, an elimination of the concurrent receipt nate the scourge of drunken driving and to im- on New Mexico. offset for disabled retirees with a disability rat- prove the lives of countless New Mexicans. Mr. Speaker, I have touched only on a small ing of 60 percent or greater. Though the offset When tragedy strikes, we can do one of two list of Nadine’s many personal and profes- is not eliminated completely for all disabled things. We can either allow it to defeat us or sional accomplishments. Vera Nadine Fuchs veterans, it is a first step. This measure we can use the experience to empower us to Milford was born in Los Angeles, California passed the House on May 9, 2002, by a vote become an effective advocate for change. and has resided in New Mexico since 1961. of 359–58. People living in New Mexico in 1992 will Her husband, Robert, still owns Bobby Joe’s Mr. Speaker, there is still more work to be never forget that December. What started out Auto Sales. In addition to Melanie, she has done. It is my understanding that, like the as an ordinary holiday season was soon four other children—Terrell, Celeste, Pauline changed into one of devastating heartbreak. It and Lance. After graduating from Victory Bible House, the Senate has included a concurrent was Christmas Eve and there were pockets of College, Nadine taught school for a time. Of receipt provision in their authorization bill and snow across the country. There was a sense everything she has done, I know how proud I plan on working actively with them on this of electricity in the air as there usually is dur- she is of her family. She has been a wonderful issue when this bill is brought to conference. ing the holidays. At one home in Albuquerque, wife and mother. Our veterans earn their retired pay by commit- Bob and Nadine Milford were especially ex- New Mexicans feel as though they know ting themselves to the defense of our country cited about spending the holiday with their Nadine because they have shared so much of and I believe there is no better way to honor children and grandchildren. On Christmas Eve, her grief over the years. Nadine’s motto is America than to give our nation’s veterans all 1992, gifts were waiting under the Milford’s ‘‘persistence wears resistance.’’ Without a the benefits to which they are entitled.

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