10717 Hon. Charles B. Rangel Hon. Bob Goodlatte Hon
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July 8, 2011 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 157, Pt. 8 10717 to the families of soldiers who commit suicide surprise that Mr. Miranda would later take The VPPA was passed by Congress in the while serving abroad. I strongly support that such large strides toward the road of success. wake of Judge Robert Bork’s 1987 Supreme change, and I applaud President Obama for His claim to fame comes from writing and Court nomination battle, during which a local taking this important step. starring as Usnavi in the Broadway musical In Washington, DC, newspaper obtained a list of The men and women who commit suicide the Heights, which opened on Broadway at video tapes the Bork family rented from its while serving our country on active duty over- the Richard Rodgers Theater in 2008. This neighborhood video tape rental store. This dis- seas are casualties of war, and I strongly be- phenomenal musical composer has won the closure caused bipartisan outrage, which re- lieve that they should be remembered as Tony Award as composer and lyricist. With his sulted in the enactment of the VPPA. such. Those soldiers suffer the unseen creativity and determination he was able to The commercial video distribution landscape wounds of war, which, though often ignored, take an idea and catapult it into success. He has changed dramatically since 1988. Back can be devastating. Their sacrifice for our Na- took a risk and believed in his dream as well then, the primary consumer consumption of tion should be honored and celebrated, and as himself. We can all learn from this fine ex- commercial video content occurred through their surviving families and friends should ample and believe in ourselves, especially the sale or rental of prerecorded video cas- know that we appreciate their loved ones’ when no one else will. We should all have the sette tapes. This required users to travel to service. courage to live out our dreams, while inspiring their local video rental store to pick a movie. In his statement announcing the policy others. Les Brown once said ‘‘Shoot for the Afterward, consumers had to travel back to change, the President emphasized that these moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the the store to return the rented movie. Movies men and women suffered the consequences stars.’’ This is exactly what Mr. Miranda did that consumers rented and enjoyed were rec- of war, and they did not receive the services and now he is taking his dreams and plays to ommended to friends primarily through face- and treatment that they needed. As the Presi- new heights. to-face conversations. With today’s tech- dent emphasized, that needs to change. We With his countless accomplishments, it is nology, consumers can quickly and efficiently need to do far more to help those who bear impossible to single out Mr. Miranda’s greatest access video programming through a variety the burden of our wars, by ensuring that they achievement, but one could say that In the of platforms, including through Internet Pro- have the physical and emotional support they Heights has won critical acclaim. This extraor- tocol-based video services—all without leaving need, access to quality mental health services, dinary theater piece has been nominated and their homes. and assistance to help them and their families has won countless awards, such as the 2009 Our proposed amendment updates the cope with the immense stress of war. Grammy for Best Musical Show Album, 2008 VPPA to allow video tape service providers to By changing this policy, the President has Tony Award for Best Musical, 2008 Tony facilitate the sharing on social media networks taken an important step towards reducing the Award for Best Original Score, and was a Fi- of the movies watched or recommended by stigma surrounding the invisible injuries of nalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, users. Specifically, it is narrowly crafted to pre- war. We need to continue to work to ensure among many other accolades. As a performer, serve the VPPA’s protections for consumers’ that soldiers know what services are available Mr. Miranda has also showcased his talents privacy while modernizing the law to empower to them and feel comfortable seeking out the on many popular television series, including consumers to do more with their video con- help that they need. The Sopranos, House, Electric Company, sumption preferences, including sharing The act of sending a condolence letter rec- Modern Family and Sesame Street. Mr. Mi- names of new or favorite TV shows or movies ognizes the tragic loss and enormous sacrifice randa is also a co-founder of the popular hip on social media in a simple way. However, it of our military families. The mothers and fa- hop-improvisational group, Freestyle Love Su- protects the consumer’s control over his infor- thers, sisters and brothers, sons and daugh- preme that has toured comedy festivals mation by requiring consumer consent before ters who lose a loved one to either a visible throughout the world and continues to perform any of this can occur. And, it makes clear that or unseen wound of war should know that we, at esteemed venues throughout the country. a consumer can opt-in to the ongoing sharing as a country, mourn their losses. We should The White House has taken notice of this of his or her favorite movies or TV shows with- honor the sacrifice of all who give their lives rising star. In 2009 he was invited to perform out having to provide consent each and every in the service of our country. at the White House Evening of Poetry, Music time a movie is rented. It also makes clear f and the Spoken Word. The University of Ye- that written, affirmative consent can be pro- shiva also took notice of his greatness and be- vided through the Internet and can be with- PAYING TRIBUTE TO A PUERTO stowed him with an honorary degree. He has drawn at any time. RICAN-AMERICAN SUCCESS also been acknowledged by former mayor of This amendment does not change the pri- STORY—COMPOSER, LYRICIST New York City Ed Koch. This young fresh tal- vacy standard adopted by Congress when the AND ACTOR LIN-MANUEL MI- ent continues to believe in his dream and VPPA was first enacted. Specifically, it pre- RANDA make positive strides. He is currently working serves the requirement that the users provide on a musical theatre version of Bring It On, affirmative, written consent. HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL which will start its National Tour in the fall of It is time that Congress updates the VPPA OF NEW YORK 2011. to keep up with today’s technology and the consumer marketplace. This bill does just that. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, for this, I ask that you and my I hope my colleagues will join me in sup- Friday, July 8, 2011 distinguished colleagues in Congress join me in applauding this prolific artist, who is truly an porting this important piece of legislation. Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to inspiration. f congratulate Mr. Lin-Manuel Miranda for all of f CONGRATULATING DR. STEWART his marvelous accomplishments. It is my B. SIMMS pleasure to pay tribute to this prodigious com- INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION poser, lyricist and actor. I want to give thanks TO UPDATE THE VPPA to this exceptional constituent for sharing his HON. PAUL C. BROUN vision and talents with the world for all to OF GEORGIA HON. BOB GOODLATTE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES enjoy. OF VIRGINIA Friday, July 8, 2011 Mr. Miranda is a native New Yorker who IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES grew up in Manhattan’s diverse and vivacious Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is Friday, July 8, 2011 Washington Heights neighborhood and is of my distinct pleasure to congratulate Dr. Stew- Puerto Rican descent. He attended Hunter Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, today I am art B. Simms, Jr. for 30 years of excellent College High School and later graduated from joined by my colleagues, Representatives service at Beech Haven Baptist Church. Wesleyan University in 2002. While pursuing COBLE, SENSENBRENNER and SANCHEZ in intro- I am confident that Athens is a better place higher education he wrote his earliest draft of ducing a bipartisan bill to update the Video in which to live, work, and study because of In the Heights in 1999. He also wrote, acted Privacy Protection Act of 1988, VPPA. This bill the presence of his fine church. Beech Ha- and directed several other musicals while at- will ensure that a law related to the handling ven’s building stands as a stunning landmark tending Wesleyan. While in school he dili- of video tape rental information is updated to and the reputation of its members as a power- gently worked to perfect his craft, so it is of no reflect the realities of the 21st Century. ful testimony to the beauty of our God. Beech VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:44 Jul 02, 2014 Jkt 099102 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR11\E08JY1.000 E08JY1 ehiers on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD 10718 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS, Vol. 157, Pt. 8 July 8, 2011 Haven’s success and strength is due, in large by an overwhelming margin of 98.8 per cent to bench, at the bar, in government and through part, to Dr. Simms’ faithfulness and care. 1.17 per cent, peacefully voted for independ- civic and business leadership. In turn, these Many blessings as Dr. Simms continues on ence. The joy on the voters’ faces as they women are inspiring the next generation which his journey of devoted service to the Lord.