October 6, 1999 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 24307 Tallchief helped put an American stamp on UNITED NATIONS’ POPULATION structions and a razor blade to cut the um- classical ballet, until recent decades a pri- FUND (UNFPA) WORK IN KOSOVO bilical cord; marily European discipline, Clinton said. Delivery equipment—for use by trained The 1999 winners of the National Medal of HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY personnel to deal with both normal and com- the Arts are: plicated deliveries, as well as referral-level OF NEW YORK equipment to be used in hospitals to perform —Arts patron Irene Diamond, who gave IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Caesarean sections and to resuscitate moth- more than $73 million to the arts through ers and babies; foundations and personal gifts. Wednesday, October 6, 1999 Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) kit— —Franklin, the ‘‘Queen of Soul’’ who has Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to intended to diagnose and treat STDs and ex- won 17 Grammys. call attention to the work UNFPA is doing in plain how to prevent contraction; Safe blood transfusion equipment; —Designer and architect Michael Graves, Kosovo. UNFPA is helping Kosovo rebuild Then, in early May, UNFPA sent an expert who created some of century’s most admired from the war, improving medical care for men, on the treatment of sexual violence and war structures, including the Riverbend Music women and children, making deliveries safer, trauma to assess the needs of women victims Center in Cincinnati. and providing a full range of healthcare serv- of such violence. Interviews with them —Odetta, the ‘‘Queen of American Folk ices. While the war is over, UNFPA is con- showed that a considerable degree of sexual Music,’’ who created a groundbreaking sound tinuing its work to improve the quality of life violence had occurred and that there were with her voice and guitar. and healthcare for Kosovar Albanians. urgent needs for the treatment and counsel- —The Juilliard School of performing arts Mr. Speaker, to answer critics who are ling of women, their families and commu- in New York, which includes among its questioning their work and commitment in nities. UNFPA set up a training programme for health and relief workers of non-govern- alumni comedian-actor Robin Williams, cel- Kosovo, I submit the following explanation of list Yo-Yo Ma and jazz and classical trum- mental organizations (NGOs) working with their work into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD. peter and composer Wynton Marsalis. refugees and for international and national UNFPA’S WORK IN KOSOVO medical staff in Albania and the former —Writer and director Norman Lear, who Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. created some of the century’s most popular The United Nations Population Fund television social comedies, including ‘‘All in (UNFPA) is working in Kosovo as part of the REHABILITATION OF KOSOVO the Family,’’ ‘‘Good Times’’ and ‘‘The Jeffer- United Nations humanitarian and develop- Following the cessation of hostilities and sons.’’ ment effort. The United Nations has set up a the return of refugees to Kosovo, UNFPA, civil administration in the province of along with other United Nations agencies, —Actress and producer Rosetta LeNoire, Kosovo, under Security Council Resolution quickly established an office in Pristina, the who boasts a more than 60-year career that 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999. UNFPA is working capital of the province. As part of the civil includes numerous movies, Broadway pro- along with other United Nations agencies in administration authorized by the United Na- ductions and TV shows, including ‘‘Family Kosovo and is a cooperative partner in the tions Security Council, UNFPA is a member Matters’’ and ‘‘Amen.’’ health sector under the leadership of the of the Joint Civil Commission on Health, —Arts administrator Harvey Lichtenstein, World Health Organization (WHO). As in all which is responsible for developing health who was president of the Brooklyn Academy its programmes, UNFPA strictly adheres to policy and which includes representatives of Music for 32 years and established it as a internationally agreed human rights conven- from the United Nations and from all of the leading arts center. tions and standards and to the Programme of communities in Kosovo. UNFPA heads the —Singer Lydia Mendoza, who brought Action of the International Conference on Reproductive Health Policy Task Force of Mexican-American music to the public’s at- Population and Development, held in Cairo the Joint Civil Commission and the Repro- tention and became famous in Latin Amer- in 1994. ductive Health Coordination Committee, ica with her signature song, ‘‘Mal Hombre.’’ UNFPA’S EMERGENCY RELIEF OPERATIONS which includes representatives of all the United Nations bodies, NGOs and bilateral When the refugee crisis in Kosovo began, —Sculptor George Segal, who made a ca- aid agencies working in reproductive health. UNFPA responded quickly to ensure that reer of sculpting environments, including a The Policy Task Force has worked with the those fleeing the province had access to crit- life-sized bread line at the Franklin Delano Kosovo Institute of Public Health, a local or- ical reproductive health services. The Office Roosevelt Memorial in Washington. ganization, to draw up a Reproductive of the United Nations High Commissioner for Health Policy, which will guide the work of —Tallchief, who was the New York City Refugees (UNHCR), the lead United Nations all organizations as they undertake the reha- Ballet’s longtime prima ballerina. agency responsible for refugees, formally bilitation of the province. The 1999 winners of the National Human- asked UNFPA to serve as co-ordinator for re- ities Medals are: productive health service. The Fund con- UNFPA’S PRIORITY AREAS —Librarian Patricia M. Battin, who orga- ducted a rapid needs assessment from 6 to 13 The main concern of the United Nations in nized a national campaign to save millions April 1999; sent materials, supplies and the area of health is to help reestablish the of decaying books by putting their content equipment for safe delivery, safe blood trans- public health system in the province in order on microfilm. fusion, treatment of sexually transmitted to meet the health needs of all the people of diseases, management of miscarriages, and Kosovo. The overall needs throughout the —Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and jour- treatment for victims of sexual violence. province are overwhelming, and most of the nalist Taylor Branch, whose books, including Also, a total of 350,000 packets of sanitary health infrastructure has not been properly ‘‘Parting the Waters: America in the King towels and 14,000 pairs of underwear were maintained; much of it was destroyed or re- Years,’’ made him an authority on the civil purchased for distribution during the crisis. moved during the recent hostilities. Equip- rights movement. In essence, UNFPA’s major contribution to ment in hospitals is either obsolete and/or —New South scholar Jacquelyn Dowd Hall, meeting the needs of the Kosovo refugees broken, including such basic equipment as who founded the Southern Oral History was to supply emergency reproductive health washing machines and incubators for pre- Project at the University of North Carolina- kits and other reproductive health equip- mature babies. Many health facilities have Chapel Hill. ment to refugee camps in Albania and the been left in decay, with broken windows, use- former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and less heating systems, and little or no func- —Keillor, best-selling author and radio to maternity hospitals throughout Albania. tioning equipment. host of ‘‘A Prairie Home Companion.’’ UNFPA procured emergency reproductive The maternity, obstetric and gyneco- —Television anchor and editor Jim Lehrer, health kits to meet the needs of approxi- logical clinic in Pristina delivers some 30 to host of a public television news program mately 350,000 people for a period of 3 to 6 40 babies per day; it is on target to deliver named for him. months. In Albania, emergency reproductive 12,000 babies in the coming year, which —Political philosopher and author John health kits were supplied to refugee camps in would give it the largest number of deliv- Rawls, renowned for his views on justice, Kukes, Korca and Elbasan and to a total of eries of any hospital in Europe. It is achiev- basic rights and equal opportunity. 10 hospitals and maternity clinics. In addi- ing this with one broken-down washing ma- tion, UNFPA facilitated the donation of two chine and a shortage of sheets, gowns, incu- —Academy Award-winning filmmaker ultrasound machines from a private com- bators and ultrasound machines. On par- Spielberg. pany to the Albanian Ministry of Health. ticular busy days, it does not have enough —Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wil- UNFPA’s emergency reproductive health cribs in which to put the newborns, even son whose plays, including ‘‘The Piano Les- supplies included: when they are doubled up. Many of the deliv- son’’ and ‘‘Fences,’’ explore the black experi- Individual clean delivery kits for use if eries are premature, born to women who suf- ence in America. Wilson is formerly of St. medical facilities are unavailable. The kit fered great trauma and stress during the hos- Paul. includes soap, plastic sheeting, pictorial in- tilities. The World Health Organization

VerDate jul 14 2003 14:10 May 28, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\E06OC9.000 E06OC9 24308 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS October 6, 1999 (WHO) estimates that almost 50 percent of socio-economic and reproductive health sur- to be a man possessed of great skill and a premature infants born in the Pristina Hos- vey of the province. wealth of knowledge. He has truly been an in- pital do not survive. Other problems related f to the effects of the hostilities are a higher- valuable resource for all Ohioans and for us in Northwest Ohio. than-normal incidence of miscarriages and TRIBUTE TO DARRELL W. OPFER still births, both of which put the lives of Upon Darrell Opfer’s retirement from the mothers at risk. Conditions are equally poor, State House, the prosperity of Ottawa County if not worse, in maternities and health cen- HON. MARCY KAPTUR tres outside Pristina. In light of the above, it OF OHIO and jobs for its residents continue to drive his is essential to upgrade the equipment of the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ambitions. After careful consideration, he ac- maternity at the Pristina Hospital and in cepted the position of director of Ottawa Wednesday, October 6, 1999 other regions of Kosovo, as a critical first County’s economic development program. He step in safeguarding maternal and child Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to plans to use his government, utility, and busi- health within the overall context of the re- recognize the lifelong contributions that Rep- ness acumen to further economic develop- habilitation of the health system of Kosovo. resentative Darrell W. Opfer has made to Ohio UNFPA is playing a key role in the area of and more specifically, the Fifty-Third Ohio ment throughout Ottawa County. reproductive health by helping to assess re- productive health conditions and needs; by House District. For the last seven years, Dar- Walter Lippman once said, ‘‘The final test of supplying urgently needed equipment, mate- rell has been the epitome of a public servant a leader is that he leaves behind him in other rials, and medicines for hospitals, primary in the Ohio House of Representatives. He men the conviction and the will to carry on. health facilities and mobile clinics; by pro- works tirelessly to represent both Ohio and his . . . The genius of a good leader is to leave viding training and support for health staff; district to the best of his ability, and for this we behind him a situation which common sense, and by supporting health information and are greatly indebted. On behalf of Ohio’s law- without the grace of genius, can deal with suc- education programmes. UNFPA has begun makers and citizens, I am pleased and hon- work with its other partners in Kosovo in cessfully.’’ The work of Darrell Opfer has ored to pay tribute to this outstanding leader. drawing up a standard reproductive health- Born and raised Elmore, Ohio, Darrell has made out state a better place to live. On be- training curriculum for health workers in half of the entire Ohio community, I would like the province. It is designed to raise their been a resident of Ottawa County and the awareness of reproductive health needs and Fifty-Third district his entire life. After com- to thank you, Darrell, for your loyalty and serv- to provide basic and refresher training in pleting bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ice to our state and your district. We will cer- basic reproductive health skills. Bowling Green State University, he entered tainly miss your skills as a legislator, but you The issue of sexual and other violence the Peace Corps as a volunteer school teach- know that you will continue your dedication to against women in Kosovo is a very serious er, instructing schoolchildren in East Africa. leadership and service in your new position. issue. UNFPA has sent an expert on sexual Upon his return, he spent sixteen years teach- violence to the province to report on ways in Good luck and God bless. which the health system and health workers ing high school government and social studies in Kosovo can address these issues in a cul- at Genova High School. f turally sensitive manner. Another compo- Darrell began his political career by serving nent of UNFPA’s strategy in the area of as an Ottawa County Commissioner for ten COMMEMORATING THE 88TH ANNI- health, education and community services years. During this time, he helped form the Ot- VERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE focuses on mental health, particularly the tawa County Visitors Bureau and the Commu- mental health of women. Violations of NATIONAL DAY OF THE REPUB- nity Improvement Corporation. These organi- LIC OF CHINA human rights and human dignity have been zations have improved the quality of life in his used as a systematic way of conducting war and have left profound scars that may not district, as each implemented programs to cre- disappear. Victims of torture or violence, be ate more jobs and support local businesses. HON. NANCY PELOSI it physical, sexual or psychological continue Darrell was elected to the Ohio House of to suffer from significant trauma. To provide Representatives, where during his first term he OF CALIFORNIA counselling and to prevent ostracism and ex- became known for his bipartisanship. During IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES clusion of the victims from their own com- his tenure in the Ohio General Assembly, he munities, UNFPA will continue to help was a member of the Agriculture and Natural Wednesday, October 6, 1999 strengthen local community capacity to pro- Resources Committee, Finance and Appro- vide care and support to women and men in priations Committee, Local Government and Mr. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to distress. pay tribute to a special occasion. In San Fran- There is an urgent need in Kosovo for de- Townships Committee and Veteran’s Affairs mographic and health status of Kosovo since Committee. He was also the ranking minority cisco we are celebrating the 88th Anniversary the return of the refugees in June this year. member of the Agriculture and Development of the National Day of the Republic of China, Given the new situation, all prior census and Subcommittee. In his last two terms in office, known as the ‘‘Double Tenth’’ celebration of other data—if they can be found—are obso- he was dedicated to bringing about electric freedom day. lete. All relief organizations working in the deregulation, attempting to meet the needs of The people of the United States have a province are looking for such information to schools, local government, industry, cus- use in their operations. To that end, UNFPA strong bond with and commitment to the peo- and the International Organization for Mi- tomers, and public utilities. Through his career Darrell passed a remarkable amount of legis- ple of the Republic of China [Taiwan] who gration (IOM) jointly organized a prelimi- have demonstrated to the world their pledge to nary mission to assess the feasibility of a lation, personally sponsoring 30 bills and co- cluster sample population survey in Kosovo. sponsoring 718 others. During his years of democracy. The Republic of China continues The two organizations have developed a pro- service in Columbus, he never missed a ses- to be a prosperous, colorful nation of peoples posal for a survey of about 9,500 households. sion of the Ohio House of Representatives and interests characterized by strong eco- The results of the survey will be made avail- and never missed a vote. In 1991, he earned nomic growth and respect for basic human able to all interested agencies and to the the Outstanding Chief Elected Official Award, public. rights and democratic freedoms. presented by Ohio Training Directors Council. Therefore, as priority measures for emer- The Republic of China is an important part- His steadfast dedication in representing his gency relief and rehabilitation in Kosovo, ner of the United States—economically, cul- UNFPA is preparing to undertake three cru- district as an Ohio House Member was only cial projects in the short term: upgrade the interrupted by state mandated term limits. turally, strategically, and politically. It is my equipment of the maternity/OB–GYN depart- Darrell has always been wise counsel to privilege to congratulate the celebrants of the ment of Pristina hospital, and to provide other elected officials and community leaders, ‘‘Double Tenth’’ festival of freedom. I am basic equipment and supplies to maternities quietly building coalitions on issues, bringing proud to voice the support and best wishes of and ‘‘birthing centers’’ elsewhere in the various points of view together in discussions, the Republic of China’s many friends in Con- province; strengthen local capacity to iden- tify members of the community who need and offering his expertise with myriad con- gress and look forward to celebrating this his- psycho-social support and to provide care cerns. Throughout his years as a Commis- toric event in the years ahead. and support to these women and men; and sioner and State Representative, I have undertake an urgently needed demographic, sought his advice many times and know him

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