S15272 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE November 20, 2003 Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask This is a huge challenge. We have ‘‘We’re poised to make an absolute leap, I unanimous consent that the order for begun to take some important steps to think. the quorum call be rescinded. address it, but we are a long way from ‘‘It’s really neat because you work so hard The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without to build something, a total department, and done. to see it come to fruition is just a great feel- objection, it is so ordered. f ing. Until now you’ve had that little stigma, f even though we knew we can compete. The TRIBUTE TO UNIVERSITY OF LOU- MORNING BUSINESS stigma’s gone.’’ ISVILLE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR After six years of unwavering effort by Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask TOM JURICH athletic director Tom Jurich, the stigma is unanimous consent that there now be a gone. After some of the most skillful, steely period for morning business with Sen- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, No- and inspired personnel moves in recent col- ators permitted to speak for up to 10 vember 5, 2003, brought many reasons lege sports history reinvigorated football minutes each. for celebration in Kentucky. First, my and men’s basketball, the stigma is gone. friend, Ernie Fletcher was celebrating After a committed campaign to improve U of The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without L’s shady NCAA-compliance image, low- objection, it is so ordered. his victory in the gubernatorial elec- tion, making him the first Republican budget facilities and neglected non-revenue f sports, the stigma is gone. to hold that office in 32 years. The The news that U of L will leave Conference REGARDING SOUTH AFRICA’S NEW same day, the University of Louisville, USA in 2005 (at the latest) for the Big East HIV/AIDS POLICY my alma mater, was celebrating its ac- did not pack the focused emotional wallop of Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President. I rise ceptance into the Big East Conference. beating UCLA in Indianapolis in 1980, Ken- to express my strong support for a de- On that day, my local paper, The Cou- tucky in Knoxville in ’83, Duke in Dallas in cision taken over the last several days rier-Journal, highlighted both of these ’86 or Alabama in Tempe in ’91. But those were ephemeral moments, followed (eventu- in South Africa. achievements on the front page—a ally) by hard times. This victory could have On Wednesday, South Africa’s cabi- great day to be a Republican and a Car- a permanent effect on exposure, recruiting, net approved a plan for government- dinal. finances and winning—if the Bowl Champion- sponsored HIV/AIDS treatment pro- The man who orchestrated U of L’s ship Series situation works itself out. grams. Though late in coming, the de- rise to the Big East is my friend, Tom That’s a significant ‘‘if,’’ but Jurich ex- cision had to be received as good news Jurich, the university’s athletic direc- pressed confidence that the new Big East by South Africa’s five million people tor. Since his arrival in 1997, Tom has won’t lose its place at the big table. And if infected with HIV. In a country where worked diligently to improve Louis- there is one thing Cards fans have learned to do, it’s to trust Jurich’s vision. 600 people a day die of complications ville’s athletic department. In recent ‘‘He really had to change the culture for from AIDS, this is a life-saving an- years, he has hired two outstanding six years to make this happen,’’ said senior nouncement. coaches, football coach Bobby Petrino associate athletic director Julie Hermann. Many of us feared we might not ever and basketball coach Rick Pitino. He ‘‘This is a benchmark, a defining moment.’’ see this day. In August 2002, I sat with also has secured U of L’s place as one The defining moments keep piling up for President Mbeki in Pretoria. His re- of the top athletic programs in the Jurich. The man who hired John L. Smith, Rick Pitino and Bobby Petrino now has sponse to the AIDS crisis in his coun- country. Tom’s hard work and dedica- try was disheartening, even dis- brought the entire athletic department up to tion should be commended. a level it has strived to reach forever. concerting. But he and his government I close by quoting Tom from the No- Jurich took over on Oct. 21, 1997. Yesterday have come a long way. vember 5, 2003 edition of The Courier- he jokingly said his first call to Big East We must be sure that we do our part Journal. He said: headquarters came the following day. In re- now, Mr. President. I gather that the ality he took a few months getting a grip on It’s a wonderful day to be a U of L fan. And Foreign Operations and Labor-HHS the U of L program, then put in a call to see it’s a wonderful day to be a Cardinal student- where the Cardinals stood. conferences have agreed to provide $2.4 athlete. But it’s a hell of a great day to be ‘‘It fell on deaf ears,’’ he said. billion in global AIDS funding for FY the athletic director at the University of 04. That is welcome and positive news. There is a cure for deafness: persistence, a Louisville. This has been a six-year work in plan and the power of Pitino. But it is still less than we promised the progress This puts us on a level playing field. ‘‘We just kept at it and kept at it,’’ Jurich world, and given that 16,000 people a This U of L alum is one happy fan, said. ‘‘And when we got Rick, I think the day contract this deadly virus we can- and I thank my friend for all he has possibilities became a lot clearer.’’ not afford to break that promise again done for the University of Louisville The possibilities could become crystal- next year. clear probabilities by 2005. Pitino is pointing Athletic Department. I ask unanimous for a Final Four-level season in 2004–05 and We will also have to take a look at consent that the following article from the assumptions that are underlying could move the Cards immediately to the top The Courier-Journal be printed in the of a 16-team Big East megaheap. Football our current AIDS policy. The President CONGRESSIONAL RECORD to document coach Bobby Petrino will be in his third laid out an ambitious emergency AIDS this historic day: ‘‘Under Tom Jurich, year, with a number of today’s young talents program for the 14 countries hit hard- Louisville’s star has risen in the East.’’ in starring roles. If the non-revenue sports est by this virus. With a robust preven- There being no objection, the mate- step up—most notably women’s basketball— tion and treatment program coupled rial was ordered to be printed in the U of L could enter the Big East on a serious roll. with aggressive recruitment, training RECORD, as follows: and retention of qualified medical per- The trajectory of Louisville’s climb grew [From the Courier-Journal, Nov. 5, 2003] steeper in recent years, but the gradual as- sonnel, we will make a difference in cent began decades before. This is a school those countries. UNDER TOM JURICH, LOUISVILLE’S STAR HAS RISEN IN THE EAST that once was a member of the Ohio Valley But this pandemic is moving. While Conference, just another regional athletic (By Pat Forde) we act aggressively in these 14 coun- program in a state owned by Big Blue. This tries, we cannot afford to maintain just At 10 o’clock yesterday morning, a wrin- is a school that once gave away football the status quo in the countries who are kled Big East Conference banner was tickets with a tank of gas at convenience threatened with the next wave of this stretched across a table in Kenny Klein’s of- stores, a school that once had non-revenue fice at the University of Louisville. crisis. Recent studies in India suggest facilities that would embarrass some high The worst-kept secret in college athletics schools. that the epidemic in that one country was literally—and finally—on the table. Wel- ‘‘It’s been a slow progression, but this is a could match if not overwhelm the suf- come to a banner day on Planet Red. great day for the athletic department,’’ U of fering we have already seen in Africa. Klein, the associate athletic director for L trustee and 1970s basketball hero Junior In China, government mismanagement media relations, is in his 21st year at U of L. Bridgeman said. ‘‘It’s not a culmination, just and poverty are contributing to an ac- He has been a loyal soldier through the glory the next step. But it’s a great time, and ev- celeration of the pandemic, and eastern and the gory—from an NCAA championship eryone should share in the joy.’’ Europe and Russia are seeing alarming to NCAA probation, from the Fiesta Bowl to Said Charlie Tyra, a basketball star from 1–10. He ranks yesterday among his very rates of infection that threaten to the 1950s: ‘‘This is another step in the direc- proudest days on the job. tion they want to get. Hopefully, this is the overwhelm the weak health care infra- ‘‘For the whole, encompassing factor of the big step.’’ structures in those tenuous democ- athletic department and university, it’s as It’s big enough to say that Louisville is racies. big as anything we’ve done,’’ Klein said. now officially Big. Big enough for the Big

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:41 Jan 14, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00062 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2003SENATE\S20NO3.REC S20NO3 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY November 20, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S15273 East. Big enough for the big boys of college cares about the Kentuckians with as a medic and then as a pilot, before athletics. Big enough to have something Big whom she interacts. In 2003, Mona was losing his life in Iraq. Chief Warrant Brother in Lexington lacks: membership in recognized for exemplary performance Officer Smith’s exemplary career in what will be the best basketball conference as secretary to the State director. For the National Guard, his commitment going. This is a league big enough to find on the past several years, she has also do- to his family, and his sense of duty at- every map. Trips to Hattiesburg, Bir- nated her time and energy to coordi- test to his character as an outstanding mingham and Greenville are out. Philadel- nating the United Way Combined Fed- American. phia, Washington and the Big Apple are in. eral Campaign for the agency and suc- As I stand before you today to honor It’s big enough to find every March. As re- cessfully reaching the Rural Depart- a fallen patriot, I would also like to use cently as 1994, Louisville was playing in the ment goals. this opportunity to extend my deepest Metro Conference Tournament in the Mis- Mona brings the same enthusiasm sympathies to Chief Warrant Officer sissippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi. Now it has and energy to her life outside of work. Smith’s loved ones. While we share signed on to play its league tourney on the their grief, we cannot possibly fully un- most famous hardwood in the world at Madi- An active member of Broadway Chris- son Square Garden. tian Church, Mona served as secretary derstand their sense of loss. We owe It’s big enough to keep a football coach for her Sunday school class and co- them a debt that can never be repaid happy. U of L lost the two best it ever had— coordinator for God’s Pantry. She and I know they will be in the thoughts Howard Schnellenberger and John L. taught a self-improvement class at the and prayers of many Americans Smith—because of conference affiliation. Women’s Federal Prison Camp, bring- CWO4 Bruce A. Smith has entered Today Petrino, a star-in-the-making, be- ing a positive influence and an opti- the ranks of our Nation’s great patri- lieves he has everything he needs to chase mistic outlook to those who need it ots, and his courage, his dedication to what had been unattainable: a national duty, and his sacrifice are all testa- championship. most. Schnellenberger, Denny Crum and Bill For two decades, she has been a dedi- ments to his status as a true American Olsen vaulted Louisville athletics forward cated employee of the Kentucky Rural hero. Let us always remember Chief dramatically in the 1980s and early ’90s. That Development State Office. Mona con- Warrant Officer Smith’s service to our shouldn’t be forgotten today when meas- tinually proves to be a positive influ- Nation. uring how far the Cards have come. But by ence in both her workplace and her I also speak today in honor of a fel- the time Jurich arrived, the school’s isola- community. I ask each of my col- low Iowan and a great American, SGT tionist athletic stance had outlived its use- leagues to join me in thanking Mona Paul F. ‘‘Ringo’’ Fisher, who recently fulness. Vannatter for all that she has done for gave his life in service to his country As the conference landscape had begun to as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On change, U of L hadn’t changed with it. Hog- her community, the commonwealth of ging TV and postseason revenue and pipe- Kentucky, and this great Nation. November 2, 2003, the helicopter in dreaming of football independent status f which Sergeant Fisher was riding was wasn’t helping make the Cards an attractive forced to make a crash landing about modern program. In fact, it nearly cost them HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES 40 miles west of Baghdad after being membership in C–USA at a time when, as Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise struck by a shoulder-fired missile. Ser- Jurich pointed out, ‘‘Louisville needed Con- today in honor of a fellow Iowan and a geant Fisher sustained multiple inju- ference USA much more than Conference great American, CWO4 Bruce A. Smith, ries in the crash, which ultimately led USA needed Louisville.’’ who recently gave his life in service to to his death 4 days later on November Today Louisville is easily the most vi- his country as a pilot in Operation brant, viable and attractive school in the 6, 2003, at the Homburg University league. And in 2005 it will commence aiming Iraqi Freedom. Chief Warrant Officer Klinikum in Homburg, Germany. Ser- even higher. Smith was killed on November 2, 2003, geant Fisher is survived by his wife You want billboard material? You’ve got after his helicopter was attacked by a Karen, his stepson Jason, his mother it. Louisville might not be the Best College surface-to-air missile 40 miles west of Mary, his sister Brenda, and his broth- Sports Town in America, but it’s a better Baghdad in central Iraq. He is survived er David, as well as numerous other one today than it ever has been. by his wife Oliva, his 15-year-old family members, friends, and loved Before the official announcement yester- daughter Savannah, his 12-year-old son ones. day, Klein stood at a podium in the U of L Nathan, his sisters Carol and Brenda, I ask my colleagues in the Senate football complex, preparing to make intro- ductions. Someone flipped a switch, and be- and his brother Brian, as well as nu- and my fellow citizens across our great hind him a projection screen rolled up. merous other family members, friends, Nation to join me today in paying trib- Behind the screen was the Big East banner and loved ones. Our deepest sympathies ute to Sergeant Fisher for his bravery, that had been sitting on the table in his of- go out to the members of Chief War- for his dedication to the cause of free- fice earlier in the day. The symbolic wrin- rant Officer Smith’s family and to all dom, and for his sacrifice in defense of kles had been ironed out. And as the screen those who have been touched by his un- the liberties we all so dearly prize. The rolled up, Klein couldn’t help but smile. timely passing. selflessness of a soldier is unmatched f Our Nation’s strength resides in the in the history of human endeavors, and hearts of the men and the women who mankind knows no greater act of cour- TRIBUTE TO MONA VANNATTER serve in its defense. The liberties we age than that displayed by the indi- Mr. MCCONNELL. Mr. President, I prize and the freedoms we cherish vidual upon sacrificing his life for his rise today to honor Mona Vannatter. would not exist if it were not for those countrymen, their liberty, and their On December 31, 2003, Mona will be re- who courageously risk their lives while way of life. tiring after 20 years of service at the serving in our Nation’s Armed Forces. Although we honor Sergeant Fisher Kentucky Rural Development State Of- Although our history books are filled as a fallen patriot, we must also pay fice. with the names of those great patriots special tribute to his loved ones whose Raised in Anderson, IN, Mona grad- whose actions defined our Nation’s grief we share, but whose sense of loss uated from Ball State University with founding, and although we stand in awe we cannot possibly fully understand. an associate’s degree. However, in 1978, of our fathers and our grandfathers for My deepest sympathy goes out to the she moved to the Bluegrass State with the heroism they displayed during the members of Sergeant Fisher’s family, her husband, Steve, and their two great wars of the 20th century, from to his friends, and to all those who daughters, Kristi and Sheri. Though a time to time we are reminded that men have been touched by his untimely Hoosier by birth, Mona is a Wildcat at and women of such stature can still be passing. Although there is nothing I heart. found defending our Nation and our can offer that will ever compensate for In 1983, Mona became the secretary way of life. their loss, I hope they will find some to the State director of the Kentucky Today, we pay tribute to one such comfort in the thoughts and prayers of Rural Development State Office. Since man, CWO4 Bruce A. Smith. Chief War- a grateful Nation who will be forever in that time, she has proven to be a dedi- rant Officer Smith enlisted in the Iowa their debt. cated and talented employee. Her col- Army National Guard as a senior in Our national history is filled with or- leagues praise her as a wonderful rep- high school, serving his Nation with dinary men and women who sacrificed resentative of the office who genuinely distinction for more than 23 years, first their lives in service to our country.

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