Congressional Record—House H10016
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H10016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE September 29, 2009 Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of As noted by the Philadelphia In- the United States, with the disease occurring my time. quirer, Coach Johnson’s Eagles career in approximately 1 in 500 newborn African- Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, on behalf will be remembered as ‘‘one of the fin- American infants, 1 in 1,000 newborn His- of the Committee on Oversight and panic-Americans, and is found in persons of est decades of defensive football in the Greek, Italian, East Indian, Saudi Arabian, Government Reform, I am proud to Eagles’ history, and when the chapter Asian, Syrian, Turkish, Cypriot, Sicilian, present House Resolution 693 for con- about the top of the 21st century is and Caucasian origin; sideration. This resolution serves to written about this football team, the Whereas more than 2,000,000 Americans honor the life and accomplishments of name Jim Johnson will be mentioned have the sickle cell trait, and 1 in 12 African- NFL coaching legend Jim Johnson, as prominently.’’ Americans carry the trait; well as extend our condolences to the In addition to his professional accom- Whereas there is a 1 in 4 chance that a Johnson family on his passing. plishments, Coach Johnson will be child born to parents who both have the sickle cell trait will have the disease; The measure before us was intro- equally remembered as a loving hus- Whereas the life expectancy of a person duced on July 29, 2009, by my colleague band to his wife, Vicky; a dedicated fa- with Sickle Cell Disease is severely limited, who spoke earlier, Representative BOB ther to his son, Scott, and daughter, with an average life span for an adult being BRADY of Pennsylvania. Michelle; and an endearing grandfather 45 years; Whereas, though researchers have yet to b 1515 to four grandchildren. Regrettably, Coach Johnson passed identify a cure for this painful disease, ad- This measure was reported out of the away in July of 2009 at the age of 68. vances in treating the associated complica- tions have occurred; Oversight Committee on September 4, Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that we can 2009, by unanimous consent. Whereas researchers are hopeful that in honor the life and accomplishments of less than two decades, Sickle Cell Disease Additionally, House Resolution 693 Coach Jim Johnson, as well as express has been cosponsored by over 50 Mem- may join the ranks of chronic illnesses that, our sincerest condolences to his family, when properly treated, do not interfere with bers of Congress and enjoys strong sup- through the passage of House Resolu- the activity, growth, or mental development port from the members of the Pennsyl- tion 693. I urge my colleagues to join of affected children; vania House delegation. me in supporting this resolution. Whereas Congress recognizes the impor- Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 693 I reserve the balance of my time. tance of researching, preventing, and treat- ing Sickle Cell Disease by authorizing treat- honors the life and accomplishments of Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Mr. Jim Johnson, whose celebrated ment centers to provide medical interven- Members to support the passage of tion, education, and other services and by football career spanned over 40 years at House Resolution 693, and I yield back the collegiate level and with the Na- permitting the Medicaid program to cover the balance of my time. some primary and secondary preventative tional Football League. Mr. LYNCH. In closing, I urge my medical strategies for children and adults A native of Maywood, Illinois, Coach colleagues to join with the lead sponsor with Sickle Cell Disease; Johnson began his career in football as of this resolution, Bob Brady of Penn- Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Associa- a player—first as an All-Big Eight sylvania, in supporting House Resolu- tion of America, Inc. remains the preeminent advocacy organization that serves the sickle quarterback from 1959 to 1962 at the tion 693. University of Missouri, under Coach cell community by focusing its efforts on I yield back the balance of my time. public policy, research funding, patient serv- Dan Devine, and subsequently as a The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tight end with the Buffalo Bills of the ices, public awareness, and education related question is on the motion offered by to developing effective treatments and a American Football League from 1963 to the gentleman from Massachusetts cure for Sickle Cell Disease; and 1964. (Mr. LYNCH) that the House suspend Whereas the Sickle Cell Disease Associa- In 1967, Mr. Johnson turned his atten- the rules and agree to the resolution, tion of America, Inc. has requested that the tion to coaching and was hired by Mis- H. Res. 693. Congress designate September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in order to edu- souri Southern College as the head The question was taken; and (two- football coach. Coach Johnson’s 2-year cate communities across the Nation about thirds being in the affirmative) the sickle cell and the need for research funding, tenure at the school was followed by 4- rules were suspended and the resolu- year tours at Drake University and at early detection methods, effective treat- tion was agreed to. ments, and prevention programs: Now, there- Indiana University, and ultimately led A motion to reconsider was laid on fore, be it to a 6-year stint as a defensive backs the table. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the coach and defensive coordinator at the Senate concurring), That the Congress sup- University of Notre Dame. Notably, the f ports the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Dis- Fighting Irish won the national cham- SICKLE CELL DISEASE ease Awareness Month. pionship in Coach Johnson’s first sea- AWARENESS MONTH The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- son with the team. ant to the rule, the gentleman from Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to After leaving Notre Dame in 1984, Massachusetts (Mr. LYNCH) and the suspend the rules and agree to the con- Coach Johnson went on to coaching po- gentleman from Ohio (Mr. TURNER) current resolution (H. Con. Res. 186) sitions with the Oklahoma Outlaws and each will control 20 minutes. supporting the goals and ideals of Sick- Jackson Bulls of the United States The Chair recognizes the gentleman le Cell Disease Awareness Month. Football League, and in 1986 entered from Massachusetts. The Clerk read the title of the con- the National Football League as a de- GENERAL LEAVE current resolution. fensive line and secondary coach for Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- The text of the concurrent resolution the Arizona Cardinals. imous consent that all Members may is as follows: Coach Johnson would later join the have 5 legislative days within which to defensive coaching staffs of the Indian- H. CON. RES. 186 revise and extend their remarks. apolis Colts and the Seattle Seahawks Whereas Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there before Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy blood disorder that is a major health prob- objection to the request of the gen- lem in the United States and worldwide; tleman from Massachusetts? Reid pursued and hired Johnson to be Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes the There was no objection. the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in rapid destruction of sickle cells, which re- Mr. LYNCH. I yield myself such time 1999. It is Coach Johnson’s 10-year pe- sults in multiple medical complications, in- as I may consume. riod with the Eagles that perhaps most cluding anemia, jaundice, gallstones, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Over- epitomizes his mastery of defensive strokes, and restricted blood flow, damaging sight and Government Reform Com- schemes and cemented his status, as tissue in the liver, spleen, and kidneys, and mittee, I’m proud to present House noted by Andy Reid, as the ‘‘best in the death; Concurrent Resolution 186 for consider- Whereas Sickle Cell Disease causes epi- business at what he does.’’ ation. This legislation expresses our Coach Johnson’s tenure in Philadel- sodes of considerable pain in one’s arms, legs, chest, and abdomen; support for the goals and ideals of phia witnessed 26 Pro Bowl selections Whereas Sickle Cell Disease affects an esti- Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. for the Eagles’ defense, including seven mated 70,000 to 100,000 Americans; The measure before us was intro- by safety Brian Dawkins and five by Whereas approximately 1,000 babies are duced on September 16, 2009, by my col- quarterback Troy Vincent. born with Sickle Cell Disease each year in league and good friend, Representative VerDate Nov 24 2008 02:39 Sep 30, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29SE7.031 H29SEPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with HOUSE September 29, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H10017 Danny Davis of Illinois, and favorably in the United States has the disease. tration), eye damage, anemia, delayed growth reported out of the Oversight Com- One in eight African American babies and even death. mittee on September 24, 2009, by unani- carry the sickle cell trait. There is a Although it cannot be cured, effective treat- mous consent. In addition, this meas- one in four chance that a child born to ment is available for persons with sickle cell ure enjoys the support of over 70 Mem- parents who both carry the sickle cell disease. The trait and the disease are inher- bers of Congress, and I am proud to say trait will have the disease. Life expect- ited. The most important thing one can do is that I am also an original cosponsor. ancy is limited, as an average lifespan to make sure to get tested.