E 232 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 28, 1996 worlds, the Pope would not have to make his most dedicated and admired citizens, Eliza- urban communities to all of the District of Co- rounds in a bulletproof vehicle. In all of beth Douphner, who passed away recently. lumbia. these cases, we have willingly made certain Betty Douphner served as executive officer- Perhaps the most difficult issues Mr. Reuter sacrifices in freedom because we recognize clerk of the Board of Resource Conservation has addressed during his tenure at Metro are that there are larger interests at stake. In the case of the metal detectors, for example, District of the Santa Monica Mountains, for- the fiscal challenges faced by all jurisdictions the safety of our children, and our teachers, merly of Topanga-Las Virgenes Resource throughout this region. He has had to be re- and the establishment of a stable climate for Conservation District, which carries out envi- sourceful in order to preserve quality Metro instruction to take place, is paramount. ronmental education and restoration projects. service at a time when State and local re- If the flag amendment is about anything, During the 34 years Betty was employed by sponse to these budgets are lean, and Fed- it’s about holding the line on respect, on the the district, she watched it grow from an oper- eral transit assistance has been diminishing. values that you and I risked our lives to pre- ation with one employee, herself, to the 50- Mr. Reuter has provided the kind of leader- serve. We live in a society that respects lit- employee agency it is today. ship necessary to run a public service organi- tle and honors still less. Most, if not all, of zation in these tight fiscal times. He has con- today’s ills can be traced to a breakdown in In her position with the district, Betty worked respect—for laws, for traditions, for people, tirelessly for our community. She helped se- sistently encouraged private sector partner- for the things held sacred by the great bulk cure conservation services for landowners in ships in order to fully capitalize on the public of us. the area, wrote the district's quarterly news- investment in Metro. He was instrumental in Just as the godless are succeeding at re- letter, coordinated the annual plant sale, hired the negotiation of an agreement with the moving God from everyday life, growing RF&P Corp. to construct, entirely with private numbers of people have come to feel they’re personnel, maintained all the district's records, and helped establish and maintain the dis- funds, a Metrorail station at Potomac Yard in not answerable to anything larger than Alexandria, VA. This is the first agreement of themselves. The message seems to be that trict's Vance Hoyt Memorial Library. She be- nothing takes priority over the needs and de- came an expert on the law governing the op- this type ever executed in the United States. sires and ‘‘rights’’ of the individual. Nothing eration of resource conservation districts in His commitment to public-private partnerships is forbidden. Everything is permissible, from order to properly advise the district board. has enabled Metro to streamline its joint de- the shockingly vulgar music that urges kids Betty was also responsible for writing and velopment program making it easier for the to go out and shoot cops, to ‘‘art’’ that de- obtaining the first grants that expanded the private sector to invest in properties near Met- picts Christ plunging into a vat of urine—to district's education program. The large number rorail stations. His efforts to bring private sec- the desecration of a cherished symbol like tor investment to locations in proximity to the U.S. Flag. of awards to the district for conservation and Are these really the freedoms our fore- education are a testimony to the effectiveness Metro reflects his firm view that this region fathers envisioned when they drafted the Bill of her work, for which she was twice honored must fully utilize our investment in Metrorail. of Rights? Thomas Jefferson himself did not with a distinguished service award by the Em- Mr. Reuter recognizes that the Metro system regard liberty as a no-strings proposition. ployee Association of the California Associa- provides economic opportunity to all of the His concept of democracy presupposed a na- tion of Resource Conservation Districts. communities along its lines as well as environ- tion of honorable citizens. Remove the hon- mental benefits to the entire region. orable motives from a free society and what Betty contributed much to the community in other ways as well. For her volunteer work Larry Reuter has demonstrated his extraor- you have left is not democracy, but anarchy. dinary ability to lead during one of the most What you have left, eventually, is ‘‘Lord of with schools, the Women's Club, and the the Flies.’’ Strawberry Festival, the Topanga Chamber of challenging times for the transit authority. This Amid all this, the flag stands for some- Commerce recognized her as the 1979 ``Citi- region owes Mr. Reuter our gratitude for pre- thing. If respect for the flag were institu- zen of the Year.'' She was also a volunteer serving our investment in the Metro system tionalized, and children were brought up to and for continuing to provide quality public understand the unique collection of prin- with Share International, where she helped publish its monthly magazine. transit service to the entire National Capital re- ciples it represents, there would be inevi- gion. table benefits to society, benefits that would Betty Douphner's warmth, enthusiasm, and f help turn the tide of today’s chaos and dis- dedication are greatly missed by all of her col- respect. For no one who takes such prin- leagues at the district, and by everyone else TRIBUTE TO JONATHAN NEWTON ciples to heart—no one who sees the flag as who knew her. The entire Topanga community an untouchable symbol of democracy, of de- joins me in expressing our deep sorrow to her HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE cency—could possibly do the things that family and friends, and our heartfelt apprecia- some people do, these days, in the name of OF DELAWARE freedom. tion for her many years of outstanding public IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The flag stands for something miraculous service. Wednesday, February 28, 1996 that took life upon these shores more than f two centuries ago and, if we only let it, will Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, the volunteer fire live on for centuries more. It stands for a IN RECOGNITION OF LAWRENCE G. service community and the entire State of glorious idea that has survived every chal- REUTER, METRO GENERAL MAN- Delaware suffered a tragic loss recently with lenge, that has persevered in the face of ex- AGER the death of Jonathan Newton. Mr. Newton, at ternal forces who promised to ‘‘bury’’ us and internal forces which promised to tear us the young age of 31, was the consummate apart. Let us never forget this. HON. STENY H. HOYER volunteer firefighter. At the time of the acci- And let us not forget that 63 out of 99 sen- OF MARYLAND dent, he was en route to a fire safety program ators voted with us, or that we won over 375 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES at a local middle school. It was not uncommon legislators in total. Our efforts were no more for Mr. Newton to volunteer his time and en- Wednesday, February 28, 1996 wasted than were the efforts to take remote ergy to programs that heightened public outposts in the Pacific a half-century ago. Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to take this awareness about fire safety. In fact, his com- Those efforts, too, failed at first, but eventu- opportunity to recognize the many accomplish- ally we prevailed. munity education work earned him recognition We undertook a noble fight in trying to ments of the general manager of the Washing- as Firefighter of the Year for the Hockessin save our flag, and the fact that we have suf- ton Metropolitan Area Transit System Fire Company. fered a temporary setback does not diminish [WMATA], Mr. Lawrence G. Reuter. It is in- When a firefighter in Delaware suffers a the nobility of what we fought for. This is deed the Washington area's loss that Mr. Reu- tragedy, it is felt by the entire fire service com- not over by a long shot. They will hear from ter has chosen to accept the position of presi- munity. They are like a family, a unique group us again. dent of New York City's transit system. of individuals who take great pride in their her- f Mr. Reuter, as general manager of WMATA itage of volunteer service. Friends and family TRIBUTE TO ELIZABETH for the past 2 years, has consistently proven members alike spoke of Mr. Newton's altru- DOUPHNER that he knows how to run a railroad. His ad- ism, and fondness toward children, as he de- ministrative skills have been evident as he has voted so much of his time to educating them kept the fast-track program, designed to com- about fire safety. HON. ANTHONY BEILENSON plete the planned 103-mile metrorail system in What is most tragic about Mr. Newton's OF CALIFORNIA an accelerated time period, on schedule and death is that he leaves behind a family. He IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES within budget. Under his stewardship, WMATA has a wife who is 7 months pregnant and two Wednesday, February 28, 1996 now has the remaining four rail segments childrenÐall of whom will always have a spe- Mr. BEILENSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today under construction. Completion will finally pro- cial place in the Delaware volunteer fire serv- to pay tribute to one of Topanga, California's vide a complete network linking all of the sub- ice family. February 28, 1996 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 233 Mr. Newton's legacy of commitment and free markets and private enterprise. In addi- A little-noticed provision of the annual dedication as a volunteer firefighter will find a tion, Sri Lanka has been a good friend to the military spending bill requires the Pentagon permanent place in the Delaware volunteer United States for many years. We work to- to fire all soldiers, sailors and Marines who test positive for the HIV virus, even if they fire service mantra, reminding future volunteer gether on regional issues and in the United perform their duties as skillfully as Magic firefighters of the importance of their mission. Nations. We collaborate on a range of critical Johnson makes a no-look pass. The military On behalf of the citizens of Delaware, I offer transnational issues such as population, food strongly objected to this provision, but Con- my condolences to Sharon Newton and the security, and the environment. The United gress did not care. The president has called entire family on the untimely and tragic death States is Sri Lanka's largest trading partner. the new policy unfair, but because it is part of a true American hero, Mr. Jonathan New- Sri Lanka has long hosted an important Voice of a larger bill that includes urgently needed ton. of America facility on its territory. funding for our troops in Bosnia, he will sign f Sadly, what should have been a day of it into law. celebration for our friends in Sri Lanka was in- Under current policy, military personnel HONORING MICHAEL EAKIN stead a time of mourning. Several days before with the HIV virus are permitted to remain National Day, Colombo, the Sri Lankan cap- in the services as long as they are able to perform their duties. If their health deterio- HON. WILLIAM F. GOODLING ital, was rocked by a terrorist explosion that rates, the military initiates separation pro- OF PENNSYLVANIA claimed nearly 100 lives; 1,400 other men, cedures and provides disability benefits and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES women, and children were injured in the blast. continued health insurance coverage for Sri Lankan officials have blamed the Libera- Wednesday, February 28, 1996 them and their dependents. So they can re- tion Tigers of Tamil Eelam [LTTE] for this des- main near health care providers, military Mr. GOODLING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today picable act of terrorism, which, if true, would personnel with HIV are placed on ‘‘world- to pay special tribute to J. Michael Eakin who make the Colombo attack merely the latest in wide nondeployable status,’’ which means was recently elected as Pennsylvania Superior a long line of cowardly terrorist acts the LTTE that they cannot be sent on overseas mis- sions. Soldiers with other serious chronic ill- Court Judge and is ending his tenure as Cum- has taken. The world community should be berland Country District Attorney. For over 20 nesses, such as severe asthma, cancer and di- forthright in its denunciations of this group. let abetes are also nondeployable. In fact, only years he has served the citizens of Pennsylva- there be no doubt on this score: Genuine free- about 20% of the more than 5,000 nia's 19th Congressional District by dedicating dom fighters do not wantonly take the lives of nondeployable personnel are infected with his career to protecting those who live in Cum- the very people they claim to be liberating. HIV. berland County and ensuring the laws of the Mr. Speaker, I wish to conclude by reiterat- The congressional authors of the new pol- Commonwealth are upheld. ing my congratulations to the brave people of icy, led by Rep. Robert K. Dornan of Orange Mr. Eakin's accomplishments in both en- Sri Lanka on the occasion of their National County, argue that nondeployable personnel forcement and prevention are numerous. He is Day, as well as my deepest condolences for degrade military readiness because they can- responsible for establishing the first this horrid act of terrorism that struck down so not be sent overseas. However, their true multicounty drug task force in Pennsylvania's many innocent people. motive appears to be less lofty than protect- ing the readiness of our forces. The new pol- history. He has also dedicated much of his f time to working with at-risk youth through pro- icy irrationally singles out military person- CONGRESS MISSES THE MAGIC nel with HIV. If backers truly believe that grams such as drug abuse resistance edu- nondeployable personnel harmed readiness, cation. In addition, Mr. Eakin has led efforts to SHOW why wouldn’t they seek to oust soldiers with reduce Cumberland County's alcohol-related diabetes and asthma? The only conceivable fatalities by developing innovative programs HON. BARNEY FRANK answer is that readiness is not their real mo- which work to expeditiously apprehend and OF MASSACHUSETTS tivation. Their motivation is discrimination, pure and simple. process drunk drivers. Several community IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES service groups including Mother's Against Can anyone seriously contend that 1,059 Drunk Drivers and the Cumberland-Perry Drug Wednesday, February 28, 1996 HIV-positive soldiers—less than 0.1% of the and Alcohol Council have recognized Mr. Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, total force—can meaningfully affect readi- Eakin for these achievements. in passing a Defense authorization bill which ness? The Pentagon doesn’t think so. Its top includes a cruel and wholly unjustified provi- personnel policy expert, Assistant Defense Mr. Eakin has contributed a great deal to Secretary Fred Pang, recently wrote that the professional development of attorneys and sion requiring the discharge of all service ‘‘as long as these members can perform their law enforcement personnel. Currently recog- members who are HIV-positive, Congress required duties, we see no prudent reason to nized by the Pennsylvania District Attorney's served itself and the Nation very badly. Our separate and replace them. . . . The proposed Association and Pennsylvania Bar Association former colleague, who is now the junior Sen- provision would not improve military readi- as an authority on law enforcement, he has ator from California [Ms. BOXER] recently illus- ness or the personnel policies of the depart- developed and led training sessions for new trated how unwise and unfair this new policy ment.’’ district attorneys throughout the State. is with an article in the Los Angeles Times for If Magic Johnson can run and leap with the Mr. Speaker, by working hand in hand with February 6. Because we still have a chance to best of them, why can’t a military clerk file the community, Michael Eakin has exemplified redeem ourselves by repealing this provision with the best of them, or a military driver the true definition of public service. On behalf before it goes into effect, it is very important drive with the best of them? of the people of Pennsylvania's 19th Congres- that all Members reflect on the truth of what Perhaps the worst aspect of the new policy sional District, I thank him for his years of our former colleague has written and so I ask is its total rejection of the compassion and dedication and wish him continued success as that the article entitled ``Congress Misses the camaraderie for which the armed forces are rightfully praised. The United States of superior court judge. Magic Show'' by BARBARA BOXER, in the Feb- America does not kick its soldiers when they f ruary 6, Los Angeles Times be reprinted here. are down. We have a proud tradition of [From the Los Angeles Times, Feb. 6, 1996] standing by those courageous enough to SRI LANKA’S NATIONAL DAY CONGRESS MISSES THE ‘MAGIC’ SHOW dedicate their careers to the defense of our (By Barbara Boxer) nation. That tradition will end the day this new policy is enacted. HON. LEE H. HAMILTON Americans cheered last week as Earvin OF INDIANA ‘‘Magic’’ Johnson triumphantly returned to Military personnel discharged under the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the Los Angeles Lakers. In just 27 minutes, new policy will lose their jobs even if they exhibit no signs of illness. They will lose Wednesday, February 28, 1996 he scored 19 points and dispelled any remain- ing doubt about his ability to compete at the their right to disability benefits and their Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, Sunday, Feb- highest level. spouses and children will lose their health ruary 4, 1996, marked the 48th anniversary of To their credit, Magic’s fans, coaches, care coverage. This policy is worse than wrong, it is un-American. the independence of Sri Lanka. I know my col- teammates and even his NBA opponents wel- leagues will want to join me in saluting our comed him back with open arms. Imagine The same day that President Clinton signs how absurd it would be if Congress, just as the bill that includes this new policy, a bi- good friends in Sri Lanka on this momentous Magic demonstrated his Hall of Fame talent, partisan group of senators will introduce leg- occasion. passed a law requiring the NBA to fire all islation to repeal it. The president and our Sri Lanka and the United States have much basketball players who have the HIV virus. senior military leaders support repeal. De- in common. Both are committed to political This past week, Congress did something spite their strong support, the odds are un- pluralism, and both believe in the efficacy of just that absurd. clear. But I am certain about one thing: