E484 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 30, 2006 International justice is a relatively new phe- noted in that speech, ‘‘For the sixth consecu- erans alike—in times of disasters and other nomenon, and things have not always devel- tive year, the American Customer Satisfaction emergencies. To make my point, I need only oped smoothly. The Coalition has not been an Index reports that veterans are more satisfied to mention the heroic effects and efforts of VA employees during Hurricane Katrina and apologist for ICTY or the other war crimes tri- with their health care than any other patients Rita. Not only did our staffs evacuate sev- bunals, and has brought attention to areas in America. VA outscored the private sector by eral hundred patients out of our hospitals in where improvement was needed. The Coali- a full 10 percentage points. And as you would the Gulf area to other hospitals without los- tion should take great satisfaction that today, expect, because of our first-rate care, veterans ing one, and not only did they do it quickly 10 years after genocide in Bosnia and are now coming to us in ever greater num- and efficiently, at great personal risk to Herzegovina, the war crimes chamber of Bos- bers.’’ themselves and at great personal sacrifice nia’s court system now has the ability to han- Mr. Speaker, the point must be underlined: and loss. One nurse told me in Houston, the most popular form of medical care with where we relocated patients, that she for dle the emotional and controversial cases from four days could see her house in New Orle- that dark time. those who receive it according to Secretary ans, and she could see only the roof and the The staff of the Coalition for International Nicholson, speaking on behalf of the Bush Ad- chimney, but she went with her patients Justice has always been outstanding, and has ministration, is a form of medicine that is en- when we evacuated them, not even knowing provided critical assistance to myself, my per- tirely government run. I find it odd that people the disposition of her own family. sonal staff, and the Helsinki Commission staff who would denounce Medicare as a form of And when it’s all said and done, it’s the that work on these issues. CIJ staff have been ‘‘socialized medicine’’ don’t apply that dreaded millions of the men and women who we care for, though, who are our biggest supporters. more than willing and able to help those of us epithet to the one major medical care delivery For the sixth consecutive year, the Amer- in Congress who have worked to ensure com- system in our country which is entirely run by ican Customer Satisfaction Index reports mon concerns about international justice are the public sector—the medical care delivered that veterans are more satisfied with their appropriately reflected in U.S. foreign policy. by the Department of Veterans Affairs. health care than any other patients in Amer- Board members Mark Ellis, John Heffernan I ask that excerpts from Secretary Nichol- ica. VA outscored the private sector by a full and Jim Hooper were involved from the ear- son’s speech be printed here because they 10 percentage points. And as you would ex- liest days, when few were certain justice are an absolutely irrefutable answer to those pect, because of our first-rate care, veterans who claim that any increase in a government are now coming to us in ever greater num- would even be considered in diplomatic efforts bers. Fully 7.7 million are now enrolled in to bring peace and stability to the Balkans. role in medical care will somehow cause dete- our system. Staff past and present, including Edgar Chen, rioration in the quality of that care. The ability This year VA doctors and nurses will treat Stefanie Frease and Eric Witte, provided ex- of some myths to survive reality is one of the over 5.3 million veterans at one of our 14 pertise not only on the work of the tribunals most impressive and depressing features of points of healthcare access. That’s an in- but also on the countries and conflicts the tri- the American political scene. But I hope that crease of more than 1 million veterans com- bunals were created to address. I want to people reading Secretary Nicholson’s remarks, ing to us since President Bush came to of- and thinking about what they mean in the fice. We expect this year that we will have 60 highlight in particular Nina Bang-Jessen, CIJ’s million patient encounters; that is, 60 mil- Executive Director, who so effectively com- broader context, will refrain in the future from lion visits to our centers, clinics and hos- bined expertise and advocacy. She oversaw somehow arguing that an increase in a public pitals. We have 154 major hospitals and over the Coalition as it broadened its focus to in- sector role in medical care will necessarily 900 clinics, and we dispense pharmaceutical clude not only the former Yugoslavia but lead to its deterioration. I join Secretary Nich- prescriptions to over three—excuse me, over Rwanda, Cambodia, Sierra Leone and today, olson as a Member of Congress in taking 230 million times. pride in the medical care we provide for our We’ve achieved something that no other Darfur. major integrated provider has ever yet been Ongoing humanitarian catastrophes, Mr. veterans. My only criticism is that we don’t do able to do, and that is that every one of Speaker, may frustrate us, but those who it in even greater quantity—too many veterans these 7.7 million veterans enrolled in our have worked at the Coalition for International are unable to get access to the system, and system has an electronic medical record. Justice can take satisfaction knowing they did I believe that it is an area where more re- Time precludes me from telling you all of something about it and advanced the cause of sources would allow us to do an even better the advantages of safety and good medicine international justice beyond where it otherwise job. But again to quote from Secretary Nichol- that that gives us, but let me mention would be. They have saved lives and brought son’s speech, when the ‘‘NBC Nightly News anecdotally a couple of things. war criminals to justice, and played a role in . . . aired a story about VA healthcare, saying One, a young man came through Ronald preventing future crimes against humanity. For that it is the envy of healthcare administrators Reagan airport. He was a diabetic. His insulin that, we owe them our thanks and best wish- and a model for healthcare nationwide,’’ it was in his luggage, and they lost his luggage. es. ought to give pause to those who mindlessly And he called his father in , f repeat the assertion that quality medical care panicking, and his father said, ‘‘Call the VA,’’ and a government role are incompatible. because he was a veteran. VA EXPERIENCE SHOWS BENEFIT The VA is, I think, truly one of America’s He called our VA hospital here in north OF GOVERNMENT ROLE IN good news stories. Following a decade-long Washington. They said, ‘‘Get in a cab and HEALTHCARE healthcare transformation, the VA is now at come out here.’’ And by the time he got there, the forefront of America’s healthcare indus- they had his medical record dialed up, knew try. And it’s not just a proud secretary say- his insulin regime, administered to him, gave HON. BARNEY FRANK ing that, but a host of other organizations OF within and outside of the healthcare commu- him a supply and sent him on his way. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nity saying that about us. For example, the And during that relocation of hundreds of patients in Katrina, we were able in every Thursday, March 30, 2006 Journal of American Medical Association has applauded the VA’s dedication to patient case, after we got them resettled into another Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, safety. The Washington Monthly magazine a hospital, to dial up their medical record. one obstacle we have when we seek to ad- few months ago had a feature article calling So electronic health records and their ad- dress what is clearly the number one domestic VA health care, quote, ‘‘the best care any- vantages to patient safety, for telemedicine, problem in America today—a healthcare sys- where.’’ have put us at the forefront in health care de- tem that is both unduly expensive and pro- U.S. News and World Report described the livery in this country, and we are very proud vides too little coverage for many Americans— VA as the home of top-notch health care in its annual best-hospitals issue. And since of that achievement. And I can say that be- is the objection to what some people are quick you’re sitting down, I won’t shock you un- cause it didn’t happen in the 14 months that to call ‘‘socialized medicine.’’ The notion that a duly by telling you even The I’ve been in the job. So I’m sitting on the government role in healthcare is somehow in- Times recently said that the VA is a model shoulders of those who did make it happen. imical to the delivery of decent healthcare has for our nation. And very recently, I think But it is a seminal achievement in health care. prevented rational debate on this subject from last week or the week before, on the NBC Two weeks ago I announced the creation of going forward. Paradoxically, as the Secretary Nightly News was aired a story about VA another front of technological initiative at the of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Jim healthcare, saying that it is the envy of VA, which has the potential for untold ramifica- Nicholson, recently noted in his speech at the healthcare administrators and a model for tions in health care, and that’s the creation of health care nationwide. Press Club, it is the healthcare delivery sys- And we are a model of humanitarian serv- a new Genomic Medicine Program Advisory tem in our country that is most completely a ice in our communities as well. Our VA em- Committee, which will be to help me establish government operation that scores highest in ployees come to the aid of their communities policies for using genetic information to help consumer satisfaction. As Secretary Nicholson and their citizens—veterans and non-vet- improve the medical care of our veterans.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:05 Mar 31, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A30MR8.084 E30MRPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS March 30, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E485 The VA’s commitment to move into this dles that seemed uncrossable. At the tender Cal Bellamy’s contributions to the economy realm of research, to advance our knowledge age of 16 she knew her life long dream and of Northwest are only eclipsed by his of the relationship of the genome to a host of desire was the wonderful art of singing. Her personal dedication to our community. Cal has physical and mental conditions relevant to vet- father and other sibling also were musically in- been called on to lend his expertise and lead- erans, is completely in keeping with the inves- clined and played instruments and sang, and ership to several important organizations in tigative nature of VA medicine. For 75 years so it was in her blood to sing and sing she Northwest Indiana. Mr. Bellamy serves as our researchers and clinicians have been did. chairman of the Purdue Technology Center breaking exciting ground in virtually every as- Ms. Holliday sang all over the world from Advisory Board, where he is involved with the pect of medicine, with most of their work re- Budapest, Hungary, Russia, Africa, and most center’s activities to attract high-tech jobs to sulting in new and better ways to treat the recently in 2005 in London, England. She has Northwest Indiana. He is also chairman of the myriad illnesses of our veterans. From Nobel also performed with Alvin Slaughter and oth- Northwest Indiana Forum, the Education Com- Prize-winning researchers—and the VA’s had ers. mittee of the Lakeshore Chamber of Com- three Nobel Prize winners—from Nobel Prize Ms. Holliday sang in many establishments in merce, the Ethics In Government Taskforce of winners to the CAT scan to paperless records New York City and . Unfortunately, the Lake County Community Development technologies, to kidney transplants, to Ms. Holliday found herself entangled in sub- Committee, and cochair of Meals on Wheels microchip-drive prosthetics, to medical school stances that were not healthy, or helpful for of Northwest Indiana Capital Campaign. partnerships that have trained more than half her continued growth and high self-esteem. Mr. Bellamy also serves on the Board of Di- of our nation’s physicians today, we are lead- Ms. Holliday’s life took a wonderful change in rectors of many organizations committed to ing the world in our care for our veterans. her early 20s, hearing the promises of God, improving the quality of life in Northwest Indi- As I’ve outlined, we’ve done a great job so she accepted Jesus Christ as her lord and ana, including the First District Pro Bono Com- far. We are a world-class healthcare network savior. The word of deliverance was preached mittee, which provides legal services for low- when it comes to treating existing illnesses unto her and after many trials and errors, the income individuals, the Urban League of and disabilities. But then we ask ourselves, chains that bound her were broken and the Northwest Indiana, Lake County Workforce what if we knew how to identify the earliest broken pieces of her life were put back to- Development, the Calumet Council Boy possible signs of a veteran’s predisposition to gether again. Nothing became more important Scouts of America, the Northwest Indiana Mi- a particular disease? What if we knew in ad- to Ms. Holliday than to do the will of Him who nority Business Opportunity Committee, and vance how a veteran would react to a par- called her out of darkness to the marvelous the Northwest Indiana World Trade Council. ticular drug therapy? What if we could reason- light. Cal Bellamy also commits his time to edu- ably forecast the risks a particular veteran Ms. Holliday combined the fields of dentistry cational causes throughout the area, serving might face with respect to some forms of can- and elder care for a lifetime of caring and as the founding director of the Hammond Edu- cer? What if, summing up, we could move sharing. However, she believes her greatest cation Foundation, on the Board of Advisors from providing medicine that is preventative to gift is fundraising. Ms. Holliday received a cer- for Indiana University Northwest, and on the medicine that is predictive? tificate for great community services from the Chancellor’s Council for Purdue University With the advent of the Genomic Medicine Honorable State Senator John L. Sampson for Calumet. Without a doubt, Mr. Bellamy has Advisory Committee, we are positioning the her accomplishments at the Bible Speaks given his time and energy graciously to make VA to take a new journey, a truly great journey Church and Christian School of Brooklyn, NY. Northwest Indiana a better place for future along the DNA trail. It is a path still not well Mr. Speaker, I believe that it is incumbent generations. lighted. There are so many questions of ethics on this body to recognize the accomplish- Mr. Bellamy received his B.A. with highest and privacy that we are not going to proceed ments of Parthenia R. Holliday as she offers distinction from Indiana University, his law de- down that trail without first assessing the risks her talents for the betterment of our local and gree from the University of Michigan, and is a and benefits to our veterans. But we know national communities. graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of from past experience that once we determine f Banking at the University of Delaware. I wish that a VA program is in the best interest of our him and his wife, Cathy, the best of luck as veterans, we move forward with all the re- HONORING MR. CALVIN BELLAMY they approach the exciting next steps of their sources we can muster. life. And when VA health care is on the move, HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other we change the nation’s healthcare landscape OF INDIANA distinguished colleagues join me in com- for the better. As medical practice incorporates IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mending Cal Bellamy for his outstanding con- the advances of science, we must harness Thursday, March 30, 2006 tributions to the community of Northwest Indi- VA’s triple mission of health care, research ana. His commitment to improving the quality and training to bring these advances to the Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my dis- of life for the people of the First Congressional veterans we serve. tinct pleasure to honor Mr. Calvin Bellamy on District of Indiana is truly inspirational and I’m confident our new push down the the occasion of his retirement as chief execu- should be recognized and commended. Over genomic road will benefit not only our vet- tive officer of Bank Calumet, where he has the years, I have sought out Cal to seek his erans, but the larger national health care com- served the people of Northwest Indiana over assistance on matters affecting Northwest In- munity as a whole, as so much of our other the past 24 years. Throughout his time leading diana. I have always found him to be trust- research has done, such as the development Bank Calumet, Mr. Bellamy has done much to worthy and deliberate in our conversations. As of the CAT scan and the pacemaker and the improve the quality of life for everyone in said, ‘‘If your actions in- first liver transplant done at the VA. Northwest Indiana. He has been an exemplary spire others to dream more, learn more, do community leader as well as a successful f more and become more, you are a leader.’’ business man, and I am proud to call him a Cal Bellamy has been a great leader for A TRIBUTE TO PARTHENIA friend. Northwest Indiana. HOLLIDAY Under Mr. Bellamy, Bank Calumet has be- f come a crucial component for economic devel- HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS opment in the region, with branches serving IN TRIBUTE TO BRAYTON WILBUR OF NEW YORK both Indiana and Illinois. Today, Bank Calumet IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES operates in 29 locations with over 400 employ- HON. ees. Bank Calumet has become one of the Thursday, March 30, 2006 OF largest locally owned bank and holding com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in panies in Northwest Indiana with over $1 bil- recognition of Parthenia R. Holliday and I lion in total assets. Bank Calumet has been Thursday, March 30, 2006 hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing named ‘‘one of America’s best banks’’ by all Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to the accomplishments of this outstanding mem- three national rating services under Mr. Bel- pay my respects to Brayton Wilbur, Jr., a great ber of the community. lamy’s leadership. These incredible accom- San Franciscan and a dear friend. One of our Parthenia R. Holliday was born in Philadel- plishments reflect the drive, passion, and com- great civic leaders, he made immeasurable phia, PA. mitment Cal Bellamy has shown to creating a contributions to our most treasured institutions. Her childhood years were like so many oth- world-class financial institution that invests in Mr. Wilbur passed away on March 24 after a ers filled with challenges, crossroads and hur- the communities it serves. lifetime of service to the arts, the business

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:05 Mar 31, 2006 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A30MR8.088 E30MRPT1 ycherry on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS