S7946 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE July 19, 2001 tribute to thousands of courageous Americans about the sacrifices made extraordinary woman. Hers is a story Hmongs who selflessly fought alongside by this independent and freedom loving that underscores the profound need in of and in support of the United States people. I know that my Senate col- this country for immediate reform of military during the Vietman War. The leagues will join me, and my colleague the way we provide health coverage to efforts of the Hmong Special Guerrilla from the State of Michigan, in com- our citizens. We owe it to patients like Units were unknown to the American mending the Hmong Special Guerrilla Donna to sign patients protections into public during the conflict in Vietnam, Units for their bravery, sacrifice, and law as soon as possible to ensure that and the 6th Annual Commemoration of commitment to freedom. we can provide the best medical treat- the U.S. Lao-Hmong Special Guerrilla f ment possible to everyone who needs Units Veterans Recognition Day is part it. THE VERY BAD DEBT BOXSCORE of the important effort to acknowledge We have lost an ally, but I have faith the role played by the Hmong people in Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, at the that we will not lose the fight for this war. close of business yesterday, Wednes- greater patient protections. It saddens Ms. STABENOW. My colleague from day, July 18, 2001, the Federal debt me greatly that Donna will not be here Michigan is correct in stating that stood at $5,712,502,926,348.50, five tril- to see it happen. She was an amazing Hmong Special Guerrilla Units played lion, seven hundred twelve billion, five soul whose determination and strength an important role in assisting US ef- hundred two million, nine hundred will never forget.∑ forts in the Vietnam conflict, often twenty-six thousand, three hundred f times at great sacrifice to themselves. forty-eight dollars and fifty cents. One year ago, July 18, 2000, the Fed- TRIBUTE TO LANCE CPL. SEAN M. From 1961 to 1975 it is estimated that HUGHES about 25,000 young Hmong men and eral debt stood at $5,680,376,000,000, five ∑ boys were fighting the Communist Lao trillion, six hundred eighty billion, Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire. Mr. and North Vietnamese. The Hmong three hundred seventy-six million. President, I rise today to pay tribute Special Guerrilla Units were known as Five years ago, July 18, 1996, the Fed- to Lance Cpl. Sean Hughes of Milton, the United States’ Secret Army, and eral debt stood at $5,168,794,000,000, five NH, who gave his life for our country their valiant efforts ensured the safety trillion, one hundred sixty-eight bil- on July 10, 2001, when a Marine Corps helicopter participating in a training and survival of countless U.S. soldiers. lion, seven hundred ninety-four mil- Mr. LEVIN. The Senator is correct. lion. exercise went down in Sneads Ferry, Hmong Special Guerrilla Units ac- Ten years ago, July 18, 1991, the Fed- NC. Sean was a graduate of Nute High tively supported the United States, and eral debt stood at $3,546,904,000,000, School in Milton, NH. He joined the risked great loss of life to save downed three trillion, five hundred forty-six Marine Corps on July 14, 1999, following United States pilots and protect our billion, nine hundred four million. Fifteen years ago, July 18, 1986, the the military tradition of his father and troops. While the Special Guerrilla Federal debt stood at $2,070,143,000,000, grandfather who both served as mem- Units may have operated in secret, two trillion, seventy billion, one hun- bers of the United States Air Force. An their efforts, courage and sacrifices dred forty-three million, which reflects extremely talented and highly intel- have been kept secret for far too long. a debt increase of more than $3.5 tril- ligent Crew Chief with Marine Heli- The word Hmong means ‘‘free people,’’ lion, $3,642,359,926,348.50, three trillion, copter Squadron 365, Sean will always and celebrations such as this com- six hundred forty-two billion, three be remembered as the little boy who memoration will raise awareness of the hundred fifty-nine million, nine hun- enjoyed watching planes take off and loyalty, bravery and independence ex- dred twenty-six thousand, three hun- land at the flight line with his father. hibited by the Hmong people. An artist, athlete, and committed Ms. STABENOW. It is important that dred forty-eight dollars and fifty cents during the past 15 years. Marine, friends each remember him as the sacrifices made by the Hmong peo- an exceptional person with a gentle f ple are honored by all Americans. heart. Those who knew him best de- These rugged people, from the hills of ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS scribed him as ‘‘irreplaceable,’’ ‘‘a dear Laos, paid a great cost because of their friend,’’ and one that has ‘‘enriched love of freedom and their support of their lives simply by having known TRIBUTE TO DONNA CENTRELLA the United States. It is estimated that him.’’ His constant smile will be over 40,000 Hmong died during the Viet- ∑ Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I rise missed, as will his unwavering devotion nam War. Thousands more were forced today to pay tribute to Donna to this country. to flee to refugee camps, and approxi- Centrella, a very special woman whom As a fellow veteran, I commend Sean mately 60,000 Hmongs immigrated to I met 2 years ago during my campaign for his service in the U.S. Marine United States. in New York. Donna died on Monday Corps. Hundreds of Marines, friends, Mr. LEVIN. As the Senator from after a long, brave battle with ovarian and family lost a devoted scholar, Michigan knows, thousands of Hmongs cancer. friend, brother, and son. The people of immigrated to the United States after I first met Donna in September 1999, New Hampshire and the country lost an the Vietnam War. The transition to life when I visited Massena Memorial Hos- honorable soldier with a deeply held in the United States has not always pital in Massena, NY. Donna had been sense of patriotism. The determination been easy, but the Hmong community diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Au- and devotion he possessed as a Marine, has grown and is prospering. There are gust, but did not have health insurance and an individual, will not soon be for- nearly 200,000 Hmong in the United to cover her treatment. Miraculously, gotten. States, and many of them live in our she found a doctor who would treat her I send my sincere sympathy and home State of Michigan. It is impor- without insurance and she was able to prayers to Sean’s family and wish them tant that those who fought in the Spe- afford care through a variety of State Godspeed during this difficult time in cial Guerrilla Units are honored for programs. their lives. It is truly an honor to have their actions. These units, like all Perhaps even more astounding was represented Lance Cpl. Hughes in the those who served the cause of freedom, her doctor’s statement that she was ac- U.S. Senate.∑ must know that we appreciate the tually better off without managed care f great sacrifices made by the Special coverage because he could better treat Guerrilla Units. her that way. Without HMO con- STRAND FAMILY FARM 100TH Ms. STABENOW. I would concur with straints, they were free to make the ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE my good friend that events such as the decisions about the best procedures to ∑ Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I pay 6th Annual Commemoration of U.S. follow for her treatment and care—her tribute today to a North Dakota family Lao-Hmong Special Guerrilla Units doctor could keep her in the hospital as that exemplifies the spirit of rural life Veterans Recognition Day play an im- long as needed and he would not have and all that it contributes to our Na- portant role in honoring these coura- to get preapproval for surgery. tion. The Strand family, of Regan, ND, geous veterans. This celebration will I have retold Donna’s unbelievable will this week celebrate 100 years on also educate future generations of story many times since meeting this the family farm. VerDate 19-JUL-2001 05:31 Jul 20, 2001 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00054 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G19JY6.125 pfrm04 PsN: S19PT1 July 19, 2001 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S7947 Andrew and Anna Strand arrived in IN RECOGNITION OF CORNER- the Indians are just one of four Amer- North Dakota in 1901, brought by emi- STONES COMMUNITY PARTNER- ican League teams to spend their en- grant train to Wilton, ND. Then, with SHIPS IN THE 2001 SMITHSONIAN tire history in one city. The Indians only a team of horses, a wagon, a walk- FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL have been loyal to their fans, and the ing breaking plow, a disc, and a drill, ∑ Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise fans have, in turn, been loyal to their Andrew and Anna set about making a today to recognize the skill and ar- team. After Jacob’s Field was built in home in the small community of tistry of those involved in the 2001 1994, fans responded by selling out 455 Regan. Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Specifi- consecutive games. And, the Indians From those meager beginnings, Anna cally, the festival focused on the Mas- led Major League Baseball in attend- and Andrew raised a family of six chil- ters of Building Arts program featuring ance last year for the first time since dren and, just like thousands of other craftspeople skilled in the various 1948.