13952 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE July 19, 2001 of the important effort to acknowledge THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE law as soon as possible to ensure that the role played by the Hmong people in Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the we can provide the best medical treat- this war. close of business yesterday, Wednes- ment possible to everyone who needs Ms. STABENOW. My colleague from day, July 18, 2001, the Federal debt it. Michigan is correct in stating that stood at $5,712,502,926,348.50, five tril- We have lost an ally, but I have faith Hmong Special Guerrilla Units played lion, seven hundred twelve billion, five that we will not lose the fight for an important role in assisting US ef- greater patient protections. It saddens hundred two million, nine hundred forts in the Vietnam conflict, often me greatly that Donna will not be here twenty-six thousand, three hundred times at great sacrifice to themselves. to see it happen. She was an amazing forty-eight dollars and fifty cents. From 1961 to 1975 it is estimated that soul whose determination and strength One year ago, July 18, 2000, the Fed- about 25,000 young Hmong men and we’ll never forget.∑ eral debt stood at $5,680,376,000,000, five boys were fighting the Communist Lao f and North Vietnamese. The Hmong trillion, six hundred eighty billion, Special Guerrilla Units were known as three hundred seventy-six million. TRIBUTE TO LANCE CPL. SEAN M. the United States’ Secret Army, and Five years ago, July 18, 1996, the Fed- HUGHES their valiant efforts ensured the safety eral debt stood at $5,168,794,000,000, five ∑ Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. and survival of countless U.S. soldiers. trillion, one hundred sixty-eight bil- President, I rise today to pay tribute Mr. LEVIN. The Senator is correct. lion, seven hundred ninety-four mil- to Lance Cpl. Sean Hughes of Milton, Hmong Special Guerrilla Units ac- lion. NH, who gave his life for our country tively supported the United States, and Ten years ago, July 18, 1991, the Fed- on July 10, 2001, when a Marine Corps risked great loss of life to save downed eral debt stood at $3,546,904,000,000, helicopter participating in a training United States pilots and protect our three trillion, five hundred forty-six exercise went down in Sneads Ferry, troops. While the Special Guerrilla billion, nine hundred four million. NC. Units may have operated in secret, Fifteen years ago, July 18, 1986, the Sean was a graduate of Nute High their efforts, courage and sacrifices Federal debt stood at $2,070,143,000,000, School in Milton, NH. He joined the have been kept secret for far too long. two trillion, seventy billion, one hun- Marine Corps on July 14, 1999, following The word Hmong means ‘‘free people,’’ dred forty-three million, which reflects the military tradition of his father and and celebrations such as this com- a debt increase of more than $3.5 tril- grandfather who both served as mem- memoration will raise awareness of the lion, $3,642,359,926,348.50, three trillion, bers of the United States Air Force. An loyalty, bravery and independence ex- six hundred forty-two billion, three extremely talented and highly intel- hibited by the Hmong people. hundred fifty-nine million, nine hun- ligent Crew Chief with Marine Heli- Ms. STABENOW. It is important that dred twenty-six thousand, three hun- copter Squadron 365, Sean will always the sacrifices made by the Hmong peo- dred forty-eight dollars and fifty cents be remembered as the little boy who ple are honored by all Americans. during the past 15 years. enjoyed watching planes take off and These rugged people, from the hills of f land at the flight line with his father. An artist, athlete, and committed Laos, paid a great cost because of their ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS love of freedom and their support of Marine, friends each remember him as the United States. It is estimated that an exceptional person with a gentle over 40,000 Hmong died during the Viet- TRIBUTE TO DONNA CENTRELLA heart. Those who knew him best de- nam War. Thousands more were forced scribed him as ‘‘irreplaceable,’’ ‘‘a dear ∑ Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I rise to flee to refugee camps, and approxi- friend,’’ and one that has ‘‘enriched today to pay tribute to Donna mately 60,000 Hmongs immigrated to their lives simply by having known Centrella, a very special woman whom United States. him.’’ His constant smile will be Mr. LEVIN. As the Senator from I met 2 years ago during my campaign missed, as will his unwavering devotion Michigan knows, thousands of Hmongs in New York. Donna died on Monday to this country. immigrated to the United States after after a long, brave battle with ovarian As a fellow veteran, I commend Sean the Vietnam War. The transition to life cancer. for his service in the U.S. Marine in the United States has not always I first met Donna in September 1999, Corps. Hundreds of Marines, friends, been easy, but the Hmong community when I visited Massena Memorial Hos- and family lost a devoted scholar, has grown and is prospering. There are pital in Massena, NY. Donna had been friend, brother, and son. The people of nearly 200,000 Hmong in the United diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Au- New Hampshire and the country lost an States, and many of them live in our gust, but did not have health insurance honorable soldier with a deeply held home State of Michigan. It is impor- to cover her treatment. Miraculously, sense of patriotism. The determination tant that those who fought in the Spe- she found a doctor who would treat her and devotion he possessed as a Marine, cial Guerrilla Units are honored for without insurance and she was able to and an individual, will not soon be for- their actions. These units, like all afford care through a variety of State gotten. those who served the cause of freedom, programs. I send my sincere sympathy and must know that we appreciate the Perhaps even more astounding was prayers to Sean’s family and wish them great sacrifices made by the Special her doctor’s statement that she was ac- Godspeed during this difficult time in Guerrilla Units. tually better off without managed care their lives. It is truly an honor to have Ms. STABENOW. I would concur with coverage because he could better treat represented Lance Cpl. Hughes in the my good friend that events such as the her that way. Without HMO con- U.S. Senate.∑ 6th Annual Commemoration of U.S. straints, they were free to make the f Lao-Hmong Special Guerrilla Units decisions about the best procedures to Veterans Recognition Day play an im- follow for her treatment and care—her STRAND FAMILY FARM 100TH portant role in honoring these coura- doctor could keep her in the hospital as ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE geous veterans. This celebration will long as needed and he would not have ∑ Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I pay also educate future generations of to get preapproval for surgery. tribute today to a North Dakota family Americans about the sacrifices made I have retold Donna’s unbelievable that exemplifies the spirit of rural life by this independent and freedom loving story many times since meeting this and all that it contributes to our Na- people. I know that my Senate col- extraordinary woman. Hers is a story tion. The Strand family, of Regan, ND, leagues will join me, and my colleague that underscores the profound need in will this week celebrate 100 years on from the State of Michigan, in com- this country for immediate reform of the family farm. mending the Hmong Special Guerrilla the way we provide health coverage to Andrew and Anna Strand arrived in Units for their bravery, sacrifice, and our citizens. We owe it to patients like North Dakota in 1901, brought by emi- commitment to freedom. Donna to sign patients protections into grant train to Wilton, ND. Then, with VerDate Aug 04 2004 13:41 Apr 04, 2005 Jkt 039102 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR01\S19JY1.001 S19JY1 July 19, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 13953 only a team of horses, a wagon, a walk- IN RECOGNITION OF CORNER- Adding to these accomplishments, by ing breaking plow, a disc, and a drill, STONES COMMUNITY PARTNER- the end of the 2000 season, the team Andrew and Anna set about making a SHIPS IN THE 2001 SMITHSONIAN had racked up 7,896 total wins. Also, home in the small community of FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL the Indians are just one of four Amer- Regan. ∑ Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise ican League teams to spend their en- From those meager beginnings, Anna today to recognize the skill and ar- tire history in one city. The Indians and Andrew raised a family of six chil- tistry of those involved in the 2001 have been loyal to their fans, and the dren and, just like thousands of other Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Specifi- fans have, in turn, been loyal to their North Dakotans at that time, they cally, the festival focused on the Mas- team. After Jacob’s Field was built in built a successful family farm and did ters of Building Arts program featuring 1994, fans responded by selling out 455 the hard work that eventually carved craftspeople skilled in the various consecutive games. And, the Indians hardy communities from the prairie. styles of the building trades.