15476 Hon. John D. Dingell
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15476 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 154, Pt. 11 July 17, 2008 We have neglected to similarly inform ‘‘Twenty-five years ago in Congress you not vote of 423–5, passed H.R. 3626. While the women of the symptoms that they are more only trusted the opposing party, you enjoyed Senate did not complete action on its bill, ef- likely to experience. Shortness of breath, their company. Today, they hardly even forts to update the law commenced anew in nausea, vomiting and back or jaw pain are speak.’’ 1995. The result was the enactment of the all common symptoms of heart attack in During his last 4 years of service, from women, and far too many lives are lost be- landmark ‘‘Telecommunications Act of 1996’’ cause women—and, sadly, their health care 1976–80, he was the Chairman of the Com- the following year. providers—are unaware of these symptoms. munications Subcommittee. It was a tumul- Those of us who had been involved in these We must continue to challenge the dispari- tuous time to preside over that important efforts from the beginning recognized that we ties in health care that disproportionately panel. The Justice Department had filed an were building upon the foundation that Van threaten our communities. People of color antitrust suit against the then-integrated AT&T, had laid back in 1977 and 1978. He was the have limited access to affordable, high-qual- and sought to divest the company of its manu- visionary that realized that the days of AT&T’s ity health care. When heart disease occurs, facturing subsidiary, known then as Western monopoly had to end, and he was the one we are less likely to receive life-saving med- Electric. In response to the Justice Depart- ical interventions like coronary angiography who began the effort to build a consensus in and coronary revascularization. ment’s lawsuit, AT&T’s supporters in the Con- favor of competition. We continue to face the reality that too gress introduced the ‘‘Consumer Communica- Early in 1996, the White House contacted little research funding is being focused upon tions Reform Act,’’ which would have ratified my office to see who should be invited to at- the health risks that threaten minority com- AT&T’s status as a monopoly. tend the signing ceremony for the ‘‘Tele- munities. These harsh facts of life are now All of this fell into Van’s lap when he be- communications Act of 1996.’’ I suggested that publicly acknowledged by leaders in every came Chairman of the Subcommittee. At the they invite Lionel Van Deerlin, the man who political party. The critical test will be our time, competition in communications was in its got the ball rolling nearly 20 years before. And willingness to allocate the public funding infancy. Competitive suppliers of telephone so in February, 1996, I entered the Library of that is needed to eliminate race as a mor- equipment were beginning to spring up. But tality factor in this country. Congress to witness the President signing this Last year, I was proud to join Mayor Shei- competition in long distance was still a nov- important new law. And there was Van, my old la Dixon, Del. Shirley Nathan Pulliam and elty. Van knew that if the Congress ratified friend and colleague; smiling as always. Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. AT&T’s monopoly, consumers would have lost That was the last time that I saw Van. After Joshua Sharfstein in announcing an initia- an opportunity to shop around and obtain his defeat I missed his cool-headed leadership tive to reduce cardiovascular disease and un- equipment and service for less. So he came and ready wit. It was great to see him that acceptable health disparities in the Balti- up with a plan to forestall the legislation day, and I was glad that he lived to see his more region. (which was extremely popular) to educate his This effort relies heavily on community efforts come to fruition with the enactment of Subcommittee while giving the competitors an the new statute. This body has lost a good input to help develop strategies to prevent opportunity to gain a foothold in the market- suffering and save lives through public and decent colleague, who made valuable health efforts. The proposed strategies in- place. contributions that extended well beyond his clude launching a task force on reducing so- Van announced his intention to draft a years of service. And I have lost an old and dium intake; expanding community health ‘‘basement to attic’’ re-write of the Commu- dear friend, whom I will miss. We were better nications Act of 1934. And he proceeded to do worker programs: and developing partner- for his presence. just that. In 1978 he introduced H.R. 13015, ships with faith-based institutions. I am inserting for the RECORD the eulogy of We already have an effective smoking ces- the ‘‘Communications Act of 1978.’’ Although former Representative Lynn Schenk. sation program in place that offers free the bill was never approved by the Sub- The following is the text of the Eulogy for counseling and free nicotine patches and committee, he compiled an impressive hearing gum while supplies last. All you need to do Rep. Lionel Van Deerlin, delivered by his record and began to build the consensus that friend of 30 years, the Hon. Lynn Schenk, on is call 1–800–QUITNOW (1–800–784–8669) to get competition in communications was good for started. You can also find more information the occasion of his Memorial and Celebration about the initiative and how you can become consumers. of Life at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, San The following year he introduced H.R. 3333, involved by visiting http://www.baltimore Diego, California, at noon, on Saturday, June another attempt to re-write the Communica- health.org/disparities.htm. 14, 2008: We all have the power to attack the num- tions Act. Again, the bill was not reported by I have been given the high honor of speak- ber one killer in the United States and live the Subcommittee; however Van’s untiring ef- ing to you today about a most extraordinary heart-healthy lives. But everyday that we forts expanded both the record and the man—Lionel Van Deerlin—our dear Van. I wait to adopt a better lifestyle is another emerging consensus. And in 1980, the year of thank the Van Deerlin family, his children day we put ourselves at needless risk. his defeat, he introduced H.R. 6121, which and grandchildren for this special privilege. f was approved by both the Subcommittee and Van’s ‘‘life journey’’ was marked by so the full Committee on Interstate and Foreign much accomplishment that it would take TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE hours to recount—I will do my best to touch LIONEL VAN DEERLIN Commerce. In 1980, Van was defeated for re-election. on the highlights. In his concession speech he again dem- This man, with a giant heart, who looked HON. JOHN D. DINGELL at life through the softening lens of humor, onstrated his wry wit and sage perspective, has brought us together today, but he would OF MICHIGAN saying ‘‘Having been elected by the people in not want us to mourn him. Instead he would IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES this district for nine consecutive elections, it want us to celebrate his life and enjoy one Thursday, July 17, 2008 would hardly be appropriate to say that another’s company. they’ve taken leave of their senses this time.’’ As I share a few reflections, it is OK if you Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise to And so ended the career of a remarkable pub- want to tune me out and remember your own honor our former colleague, and my good lic servant. ‘‘Van’’ stories—there are so many! friend, the Honorable Lionel Van Deerlin of But the efforts that he put in motion did not On May 17, the Nation lost a great Amer- California. He passed away on May 17th in his end there. Building on the hearing record that ican, a family lost a cherished patriarch and San Diego home at the age of 93. we lost a dear friend. Van compiled, and the growing consensus Van died peacefully—just as he lived every Everybody referred to him as ‘‘Van.’’ He that competition should govern the delivery of day of his long and celebrated life—sur- served in this House from 1963 until 1981, communications products and services, Con- rounded by family and friends. And just like and was a friend and colleague of mine on the gress continued its effort to update the Com- Van, he closed his eyes for the last time only Committee on Interstate and Foreign Com- munications Act of 1934. In 1982 those efforts after finishing his column for the SD union merce. Throughout his career he maintained a were interrupted by the Justice Department’s tribune. marvelous wit and a generous spirit. He was announcement that it had settled the AT&T liti- Van was born in L.A., a true native son of a warm and gentle man. gation. That settlement resulted in the 1984 di- California. He went to public school in After his defeat, Van went back to the news- Oceanside and graduated from USC, where he vestiture of the Bell Operating Companies, was editor of the daily Trojan, something for paper business he loved, writing columns for and established the industry structure that per- which this Bruin long ago forgave him. the San Diego Tribune and then the Union- sisted for the next 15 years.