E1042 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 14, 2007

Board of Directors, Children’s Theater of Dal- PERSONAL EXPLANATION good friend, LEE TERRY of Nebraska. We are las; Deacon, Royal Lane Baptist Church; and proud to have the support of over 80 other bi- the St. Marks Boy Scouts. Through these or- HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER partisan members of Congress today as origi- ganizations, Sue touched the lives of count- OF nal co-sponsors of this important legislation. less individuals. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disease Monday, May 14, 2007 A devoted mother of three, Sue also con- that affects motor nerve cells in the brain and sistently showed her love for God and others. Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I was un- spinal cord. While the great baseball player, She delicately balanced the rigors of profes- avoidably detained for Rollcall votes 337 Lou Gehrig, put a national face on ALS over sional life with the demands of caring for their through 341 held on Thursday, May 10, 2007, 65 years ago, my own family was personally family; yet, she still made time for friends. beginning with Rollcall 337. affected when my grandmother, Dora Engel, Madam Speaker, it is a great honor for me Madam Speaker, had I been present, I was diagnosed with the fatal disease and would have cast the following votes on H.R. to rise today to pay tribute to a lady who faith- passed away when she was only in her 50s. 2082: to authorize appropriations for fiscal fully served her community with dedication Unfortunately, families across the Nation face year 2008 for intelligence and intelligence-re- the challenges and experience the suffering and integrity. Sue Sarilyn Washington will be lated activities of the Govern- associated with ALS every single day. 5,600 sorely missed in North . ment, the Community Management Account, people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS and the Central Intelligence Agency Retire- each year, and it is estimated that as many as f ment and Disability System, and for other pur- 30,000 Americans have the disease at any poses. On passage Passed by recorded vote: given time. The average life expectancy for a INTRODUCTION OF THE ALS 225–197 (rollcall No. 341). I would have voted person with ALS is two to five years from the REGISTRY ACT OF 2007 ‘‘yes.’’ time of diagnosis. The causes of ALS are not Madam Speaker, had I been present for the well understood and there is no known cure. motion to recommit with instructions, rollcall We must provide hope to change this tragedy HON. LEE TERRY No. 340, I would have voted ‘‘no.’’ today. OF NEBRASKA Madam Speaker, had I been present for the Surprisingly, a single national patient reg- Schiff amendment rollcall No. 339, I would istry which collects and stores information on IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have voted ‘‘yes.’’ the prevalence and incidence of ALS does not Monday, May 14, 2007 Madam Speaker, had I been present for the currently exist in the United States today. The Rogers (MI) amendment rollcall No. 338, I legislation I am re-introducing with Congress- Mr. TERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to would have voted ‘‘yes.’’ man TERRY, would build on a fiscal year 2006 acknowledge the introduction of The ALS Reg- Madam Speaker, had I been present for the Congressional appropriation which directed istry Act of 2007 by my colleague ELIOT ENGEL Hoekstra amendment rollcall No. 337, I would the Centers for Disease Control to evaluate of New York and myself. A similar bill intro- have voted ‘‘no.’’ the science to guide the creation of a national duced in the 109th Congress, H.R. 4033, gar- f ALS Registry. The Engel/Terry legislation will nered the support of 215 of our colleagues, create an ALS registry at the Centers for Dis- PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOYCE ease Control and Prevention and will aid in nearly 50 percent of the members of the HOLLAND the search for a cure to this devastating dis- House of Representatives. Today, we are ease. The registry will collect data concerning: joined by 80 additional original cosponsors in HON. JON C. PORTER the incidence and prevalence of ALS in the this effort. OF NEVADA United States; the environmental and occupa- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tional factors that may contribute to the dis- fatal, progressive, neurodegenerative disease Monday, May 14, 2007 ease; the age, race or ethnicity, gender and family history of individuals diagnosed; and affecting motor nerve cells in the brain and Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today spinal cord. Approximately 5,600 people in the other information essential to the study of to honor Ms. Joyce Holland, a registered ALS. The information gained from the ALS U.S. are diagnosed with ALS, also known as nurse, who is a distinguished and devoted Lou Gehrig’s Disease, each year. It is esti- registry will also strengthen a disease clear- professional in her field. inghouse’s ability to put patients in contact mated that as many as 30,000 Americans In 1992, Joyce earned her associates de- with scientists conducting clinical trials and have the disease. The average life expectancy gree in Nursing. She later joined the nursing scientists studying the environmental and ge- for a person with ALS is 2 to 5 years from the staff of Boulder City Hospital as a registered netic causes of ALS. time of diagnosis. There is no known cure for nurse/medical decision support coordinator in We need to provide our Nation’s research- ALS. 2000. Joyce served as RN/MDS Coordinator ers and clinicians with the tools and informa- There is currently no single national patient for 6 years before retiring in 2006. After a brief tion they need to make progress in the fight registry which collects and stores information retirement, Joyce returned to Boulder City against ALS. The data made available by a on the prevalence and incidence of ALS in ex- Hospital in 2007 as the long term care direc- national registry will potentially allow scientists istence in the United States. The establish- tor, the position she holds today. Throughout to identify causes of the disease, and maybe her career at Boulder City Hospital, Joyce’s ment of a national registry will help identify the even lead to the discovery of new treatment, high degree of professionalism and enduring occurrence and frequency of ALS and other a cure for ALS, or even a way to prevent the compassion have earned her the respect of motor neuron disorders and collect data which disease in the first place. This is good public her colleagues and have made her invaluable is badly needed for ALS research, disease policy. to her patients. The establishment of a registry will bring management and the development of stand- Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Joyce new hope to thousands of patients and their ards of care in order to significantly enhance Holland. Her passion and her love of nursing families that ALS will no longer be a death the nation’s efforts to find a treatment and have improved the lives of countless patients sentence. I strongly urge the swift consider- cure for ALS. in Las Vegas. I thank her for her dedication ation and passage of the ALS Registry Act of All diseases bring hardships on those af- and commitment to the community and wish 2007. flicted, but ALS is particularly cruel in the her the best in her future endeavors. f quickness of the onset, the severity of the f RECOGNIZING JEREMY ALLEN symptoms and the fatal nature of the condi- INTRODUCTION OF THE ALS PATANIA FOR ACHIEVING THE tion. The provisions in our bill creating a na- REGISTRY ACT OF 2007 RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT tionwide registry for persons afflicted with ALS are important steps forward in strengthening the efforts to understand, treat and one day HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL HON. OF NEW YORK eradicate this terrible disease. I urge my col- OF MISSOURI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES leagues to support and cosponsor the ALS Registry Act and I am proud to join my friend Monday, May 14, 2007 Monday, May 14, 2007 Mr. ENGEL in bringing forward this important Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to re-in- Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly legislation. troduce the ALS Registry Act of 2007 with my pause to recognize Jeremy Allen Patania, a

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:20 May 15, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A14MY8.035 E14MYPT1 mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with REMARKS May 14, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1043 very special young man who has exemplified IN RECOGNITION OF JOSEPH A. PAYING TRIBUTE TO SUZANNE the finest qualities of citizenship and leader- DART, PRESIDENT OF MASSA- LICHNER ship by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts CHUSETTS BUILDING TRADES of America, Troop 857, and in earning the COUNCIL, AFL–CIO most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. HON. JON C. PORTER Jeremy has been very active with his troop, OF NEVADA participating in many scout activities. Over the HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES years Jeremy has been involved with scouting, OF MASSACHUSETTS he has not only earned numerous merit Monday, May 14, 2007 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES badges, but also the respect of his family, Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today peers, and community. Monday, May 14, 2007 to honor Ms. Suzanne Lichner, a licensed Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join practical nurse, who is a distinguished and de- me in commending Jeremy Allen Patania for Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in voted professional in her field. his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts of honor of a good friend and tremendous labor Prior to joining the nursing staff at Boulder America and for his efforts put forth in achiev- leader, Joseph A. Dart. Joe has dedicated his City Hospital, Suzanne worked as an LPN in ing the highest distinction of Eagle Scout. life to improving the lives of working men and home health care and hospice care. Suzanne women throughout Massachusetts. began her career at Boulder City Hospital in f Joining Local 257 Painter & Allied Trades in 2000 with the Skilled Nursing Facility, where U.S. TROOP READINESS, VET- 1974, Joe’s hard work and leadership skills she quickly demonstrated her ability, talent, ERANS’ CARE, KATRINA RECOV- propelled his rise through the ranks. In 1980, dedication, and compassion towards her pa- ERY, AND IRAQ ACCOUNTABIL- Joe became a Business Agent and the fol- tients. During the past 7 years, Suzanne’s strengths as a health care professional have ITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007 lowing year advanced to Business Manager. earned her the respect of her peers and col- By 1985, Joe held the position of President of leagues. In 2006, Suzanne transferred to the SPEECH OF the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council. Medical/ Surgical Unit at Boulder City Hospital, Joe’s ability to advance his union and provide where she serves as a medical surgical nurse. HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY the fellow members of his trade with employ- OF NEW YORK Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Su- ment exemplifies the characteristics in which zanne Lichner. Her passion and her love of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES all members of the Building Trades should nursing have improved the lives of countless Thursday, May 10, 2007 strive. patients in Las Vegas. I thank her for her dedi- Between 1994 and 1996, Joe added three cation and commitment to the community and Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, new positions to his impressive list of accom- wish her the best in her future endeavors. I rise today in support of H.R. 2206, the ‘‘U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, Katrina plishments, all of which he holds to this day. f Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Act.’’ This In 1994, Joe became President of the Massa- chusetts Building Trades Council, an organiza- legislation includes the important funding that IN RECOGNITION OF SIGNATURE has already passed this chamber to provide tion which is comprised of 72 local unions and LEARNING CENTER resources for servicemen and women, for mili- 10 Local Building Trades Councils rep- tary and veterans’ health care, and for valu- resenting 75,000 construction trades men and able programs like LIHEAP and SCHIP. women in Massachusetts. In 1995, Joe be- HON. BRAD ELLSWORTH This bill ensures accountability. H.R. 2206 came Co-Chair of the Labor-Management OF INDIANA Construction Safety Alliance, where he suc- provides 3 months of funding for the war in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Iraq but requires the president to report back ceeded in passing the OSHA 10-Hour Law re- to Congress about whether certain goals are quiring all construction workers on public Monday, May 14, 2007 met before the rest of the funds will be re- projects to be trained in safety. In 1996, Joe Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I rise leased by subsequent legislation. became the Executive Vice President of the today to congratulate Signature Learning Cen- It is time for the president to listen to the Massachusetts AFL–CIO. ter in Evansville for being recognized as one American people and support this reasonable Throughout his career in the Building of the top charter schools in the nation by the legislation to help bring an end to this war. Trades, Joe has been an advocate for workers Center for Education Reform (CER). The Cen- rights and fought to provide his fellow brothers ter is one of only 53 schools to receive the f and sisters of labor with fair wages and skilled National Charter School of the Year Award STUDENT LOAN SUNSHINE ACT training. Joe has negotiated dozens of Project and was selected based on student achieve- Labor Agreements to guarantee good wages, ment, satisfaction of parents, and its policies hours, and working conditions on massive and programs. HON. construction sites. These agreements have The Signature Learning Center has approxi- OF FLORIDA also guaranteed employers access to a skilled mately 275 students with an average class IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES workforce and eliminated labor relations prob- size of 20. Its students excel academically with 100 percent enrollment in advanced col- Monday, May 14, 2007 lems. In 1988, Joe was instrumental in defeat- ing a ballot question, which was intended to lege preparatory courses and 100 percent Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, remove Prevailing Wage Laws in the state of graduation rate. For these reasons and others, the school was listed by Newsweek as one of the most important goal of the Student Loan Massachusetts. Ten years later, Joe was es- the top 100 High Schools in the nation in Sunshine Act is to protect students and par- sential in the passage of an amendment to the 2006. ents and help them receive the most afford- Massachusetts Payment of Wages Law, which able loan possible. With that in mind, I would increased penalties on employers who willfully Signature Learning Center joins nearly 4,000 charter schools nationwide in educating like to mention that recently, a number of my and intentionally violated payment rights of over 1 million American children. colleagues and I sent a letter to Secretary employees. Spellings regarding the urgent need to reopen Children are our nation’s greatest resource. the national student loan database for stu- Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to The quality of education they receive has a di- dents and parents to receive low interest con- join with Joe’s family, friends and brothers and rect impact on the strength of our economy, solidation loans before the rates are changed sisters of labor to thank him for his incredible the safety of our communities, and the ability on July 1st. dedication and commitment to the fight for of our nation to compete in the world. The Sig- Although, we fully support new and better workers’ rights and service to the American nature Learning Center is providing children in safeguards to protect student privacy which Labor Movement. I hope my colleagues will southern Indiana with the tools they need to many student loan companies advocate, it is join me in celebrating Joe’s distinguished ca- meet their full potential and make a difference crucial that both students and lenders have reer and wishing him good health and success in our world. I am proud to recognize them for safe and secure access to this information. in all his future endeavors. their accomplishments today.

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