E578 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 26, 2003 killed in the November 1984 massacres in Vedanti must resign along with him. Please issues that may have contributed to the high Delhi and other cities. Overall, the Indian help the Khalsa Panchayat in these efforts. malpractice rates doctors across the country government, which boasts about being ‘‘the And work to build a party that will lead a are facing by establishing an independent ad- world’s largest democracy,’’ has murdered Shantmai Morcha to liberate our homeland, visory commission on medical malpractice in- over 250,000 since 1984. The death sen- Khalistan, from Indian occupation. Just as tence given to Professor Devinder Pal Singh the Akalis took control from the Mahants of surance. I wish Congress had acted quickly Bhullar based on a false confession is the lat- the last century, we must take control of our and in a bipartisan fashion last year—had we est example of ’s effort to eliminate the future from the new Mahants, the present done so, we may already have more answers Sikh religion and intimidate the Sikh Na- Akali leadership and Indian-controlled about why rates are now as high as they are. tion. Jathedars. And finally, H.R. 1124 would create a grants Indian police arrested human-rights activ- India is on the verge of disintegration. program through the Department of Health ist Jaswant Singh Khalra after he exposed Khalistan will soon be free. Home Minister their policy of mass cremation of Sikhs, in and Human Services to ensure that areas af- L.K. Advani said that if Kashmir goes, India fected by high malpractice rates do not suffer which over 50,000 Sikhs have been picked up, goes. The Kashmir problem has been inter- tortured, and killed, then their bodies are de- nationalized. The only way to solve the a shortage of providers. However, we will not clared unidentified and secretly cremated. Kashmir problem is to have a referendum even hear debate about these provisions or Then Mr. Khalra was murdered in police cus- where the Kashmiri people can decide their others because the Leadership passed a tody. His body was not given to his family. own future. With self-determination, the closed rule that limits debate to the base bill. Rajiv Singh Randhawa, the only witness to Kashmiri people will either be independent This does a disservice to the American peo- the Khalra kidnapping tried to give a peti- or go with Pakistan. Either way, Kashmir is ple, to the House, and to the health care pro- tion to Jack Straw, then the British Home going to go. As soon as Kashmir goes, viders we want to help. Minister and now its Foreign Minister, out- Khalistan will be independent within a year. side the Golden Temple in Amritsar. For I believe H.R. 5 will not address the high We can achieve freedom much earlier if our malpractice rates our doctors are confronting. this, he was arrested and tortured. leadership is not under Indian control and Similarly, the police murdered former they are sincere and honest. H.R. 5 fails to address or even acknowledge Jathedar of the Akal Takht Gurdev Singh Only in a free Khalistan will the Sikh Na- the complicated nature of this problem: my Kaunke. His body was not handed over to his tion prosper. Only then will the Sikh Nation colleagues who have introduced H.R. 5 family. No one has been brought to justice get justice. India must start acting like a de- haven’t considered how the insurance industry for the Khalra kidnapping and murder. The mocracy and allow self-determination in the may have contributed to the high rates or con- murderer of Akal Takht Jathedar Gurdev form of a free and fair plebiscite on inde- sidered how individual states’ systems have Singh Kaunke, SSP Swaran Ghotna, has pendence for Punjab, Khalistan and the never been brought to trial. Nor have those affected malpractice rates. other nations seeking their freedom from Throughout the Energy and Commerce who carried out the massacre of 35 Sikhs in India. Let us join hands to secure our free- Chithisinghpora three years ago this month. dom, for ourselves and future generations. Committee’s consideration of H.R. 5, 1 spoke According to a report by the Movement Sincerely, about two provisions in, H.R. 5 that I strongly Against State Repression (MASR), 52,268 DR. GURMIT SINGH AULAKH, oppose. Sikhs are being held as political prisoners in President, Council of Khalistan. First, H.R. 5 would limit the liability of India without charge or trial. Some have f HMO’S, drug companies, and nursing homes. been in illegal custody since 1984! Yet Chief These companies have never come to me to Minister denies that there HELP EFFICIENT, ACCESSIBLE, explain why their liability should be limited; in are any political prisoners at all. Have they LOW-COST, TIMELY HEALTHCARE murdered them all? Most of these political fact, I strongly believe consumers should have prisoners were taken into illegal custody (HEALTH) ACT OF 2003 the right to use every tool possible to collect under the regime, a Congress damages if they are injured by a drug or de- government. Can’t Amarinder Singh find SPEECH OF vice company whose product is defective. My these records? Amarinder Singh should be HON. TED STRICKLAND constituents have access to prescription commended for prosecuting corrupt govern- OF OHIO drugs—the drugs are there in the pharmacy, ment officials. Now he should keep his prom- ready to be purchased, and the drug compa- ise to prosecute and his IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES nies aren’t going out of business. Unfortu- family for their corruption during his tenure Thursday, March 13, 2003 as . He sold government jobs nately, many of my constituents, especially for money. Services were only delivered after Mr. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I speak on seniors, can’t afford to pay the prices these they received bribes. His wife Surinder Kaur the floor today in opposition to H.R. 5 and in companies are charging. Since the drug com- is so experienced at this corrupt practice opposition to the closed rule under which we panies are doing quite well, I think it’s safe to that she could tell the amount of money in are debating the bill. say that they don’t need the further protections a paper bag just by lifting it. What a shame I have heard from doctors and hospitals H.R. 5 would afford them. for the Akali government! The Badal family throughout my district that they are struggling Second, I cannot support H.R. 5 because of has tarnished the pious Akali name of the with high malpractice rates. I think we all rec- its $250,000 limit on noneconomic damages. first half of the last century. That Sikh lead- ership gave sacrifices for the glory of the ognize that this is a big problem in many re- Noneconomic damages are awarded by a jury Khalsa Panth. gions of the country, and I believe we must to compensate a victim for intangible pain and The Indian regime paid over 41,000 cash take action to ensure patients can continue to suffering. These damages are often very im- bounties to police officers for killing Sikhs, access quality and timely health care. In my portant to low income adults, women, and chil- according to a 1994 report from the U.S. rural Ohio district, access to care is a constant dren who often would not recover a large eco- State Department. One of these bounties was problem for many of my constituents. I hear nomic damage award when they are injured. paid to a policeman who killed a three-year- the voices of the family practice physicians In addition, someone whose injury is purely old boy! In another case, a man brought suit because he had been listed as having been who tell me they no longer may be able to af- cosmetic may not have economic damages killed in one of these incidents but was actu- ford to deliver babies. In some cases in Ohio, because the injury doesn’t directly affect his or ally alive. Who was murdered in his place? pregnant women must travel long distances her ability to work. For example, the facial The legs of the driver for Baba Charan for prenatal care and delivery services be- disfiguration 17–year-old Heather Lewinski has Singh were tied to two jeeps which drove off cause there is only one doctor providing these had to live with for the past 9 years because in opposite directions and he was torn in services throughout a county. Something must when she was 8 years old a plastic surgeon half. An attorney in Ropar who defended be done, but I do not think HR 5 gets it done. committed clear malpractice and scarred her Sikh youth was picked up along with his wife and his two-year-old son. They were These are the reasons I have cosponsored for life. The years of pain and suffering Heath- made to ‘‘disappear’’ just like 50,000 other H.R. 1124, which has been introduced by er has lived with and testified to before the Sikhs. The Indian Supreme Court called the Rep. Dingell. H.R. 1124 would address high Energy and Commerce Committee two weeks Indian government’s murders of Sikhs malpractice rates through moderate tort re- ago are real. Heather’s lawsuit against the ‘‘worse than a genocide.’’ On October 7, 1987, forms, requiring attorneys to submit a certifi- plastic surgeon who injured her resulted in the Sikh Nation declared the independence cate of merit declaring a case to be meri- zero economic damages, but she did receive of its homeland, Punjab, Khalistan. No Sikh torious, and requiring medical malpractice in- compensation in the form of noneconomic representative has ever signed the Indian surance companies to dedicate at least 50% damages. H.R. 5 would have limited her constitution. The Sikh nation has awakened. I call on of the savings from these tort reforms to re- award to $250,000. 1 cannot vote for legisla- all Sikhs to support the Khalsa Panchayat. ducing the insurance premiums paid by physi- tion that would arbitrarily limit the damages These good Sikhs forced Jathedar Manjit cians and other health professionals. In addi- that might be so important to the average Singh of Kesgarh to resign. Now Jathedar tion, H.R. 1124 attempts to look at the broad American who finds themselves injured

VerDate Jan 31 2003 05:47 Mar 27, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A26MR8.003 E26PT1 March 26, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E579 through medical malpractice. Although pro- Ron is recognized as a leader and expert in in worship. It is a testament to the Saint ponents of H.R. 5 contend that the bill will limit the Corps’ Public Affairs community. He has Wendelin ministry that Catholics from all cor- frivolous lawsuits, I believe it will not do so; in- often been sought out to provide valuable pub- ners of the city heed the call to celebrate at stead, this provision would arbitrarily cap meri- lic relations expertise during disaster recover the little church on Columbus Avenue. torious claims of malpractice. efforts. His expertise was invaluable in 1989 Cleveland’s vital tradition of Catholic edu- I ask my colleagues: if we trust our jury sys- following Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina cation is reflected at Saint Wendelin’s with tem to make decisions about life and death, I and the earthquake in northern California; in their active participation in the Urban Commu- believe we must be able to trust that jury sys- 1991, when he was assigned to the Defense nity School. Saint Wendelin ’s facilities serve tem to make decisions about money. Reconstruction Assistance Office during the as a second home to over 300 students of The increase in malpractice rates is a huge Kuwait Recovery; and in 1993 when he was Urban Community School. problem for doctors and hospitals, and that is called to the Corps’ Civil Works Forward Of- My fellow colleagues, please join me in why I wish this bill had been crafted with input fice following the Midwest flood event. honor and recognition of every member of from the leaders of both parties. At the least, While in the Fort Worth District, Ron’s Saint Wendelin Church, and its leaders—Pas- I wish we had the benefit of an open rule that unique and selfless dedication, as the Chief of tor Jerome Lajack and Deacon James J Arm- would allow real debate here on the floor. I will Public Affairs and Legislative Affairs, is instru- strong, as they celebrate mass with Bishop not support this bill because I think it fails to mental in building partnerships and achieving Anthony Pilla in commemoration of one hun- dred years of service to God and community. prevent frivolous lawsuits, fails to address the consensus on many important projects in the Saint Wendelin parish continues its dedication problems with the insurance industry, and fails State of Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and to social justice and spiritual healing—within to provide direct relief to communities that are beyond. My staff and I have personally called the neighborhoods of Ohio City, and the world struggling with access problems resulting from upon Ron to assist us in obtaining valuable community beyond. high malpractice rates. assistance on projects in my district and f f throughout the State of Texas. In the community, Ron has been a trusted PROCLAMATION—POLICE-FIRE IN RECOGNITION OF DOMINIC and well-known leader and public servant. He MERGER PLATINUM ANNIVER- POLIMENI WHO RETIRES AFTER is a 1993 graduate of Leadership Fort Worth, SARY, KALAMAZOO DEPART- 13 YEARS OF DEDICATED AND and an active member of the St. Vincent De MENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AS Paul Catholic Church, where he is a Eucha- CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR THE ristic Minister and an active member of the CITY OF SAN GABRIEL HON. FRED UPTON Men’s Club. He served as a past president of OF MICHIGAN the Boy’s Select Soccer Club, past president HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the Martin High School Soccer Booster OF CALIFORNIA Wednesday, March 26, 2003 Club and was active in local school board IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to issues. He also was a regular volunteer at the Wednesday, March 26, 2003 recognize the Kalamazoo Department of Pub- Arlington night shelter. Over the past few years, Ron has experi- Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to lic Safety. In 1983, it was determined that the congratulate Dominic Polimeni who will retire combination of Kalamazoo police and fire enced serious health issues. However, not once during that period did Ron’s commitment from the San Gabriel City Council after 13 services could serve as an effective method of years of service to the city and community. providing more efficient and productive use of to the nation, the Corps of Engineers, and his family waiver. Born May 23, 1940, in Dunmore, PA, resources and employees. By cross-training Dominic Polimeni was raised and educated in personnel in both disciplines, the fire depart- I know that you, Mr. Chairman, and the other members of the subcommittee would like Buffalo, NY. He attended the University of Buf- ment’s 164 firefighters and the police depart- falo and graduated from Bryant and Stratton to join me in thanking Mr. Ronald J. ment’s 219 law enforcement positions were Business Institute. A 31-year resident of San Ruffennach for his long, dedicated, and faithful consolidated into 383 multifunctional employ- Gabriel, Mayor Polimeni was elected to the service to the nation, the Army, and to this ees. This streamlining provided an excellent San Gabriel City Council in April, 1990. public safety service to the community while committee. Thanks Ron. Reflecting a team spirit approach and cour- minimizing expenses. The Department of Pub- f teous respect for others, Mayor Polimeni’s ex- lic Safety has continued to evolve and improve IN HONOR OF SAINT WENDELIN ample encouraged a cohesive city council since its inception—forming specialty units and PARISH whose collective objective is to put San Ga- services and using state of the art technology. briel first in order to accomplish community Today, the department is the largest public and regional goals. safety organization in the country, with 315 HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH Dominic Polimeni’s city council highlights in- highly trained and educated employees, and OF OHIO clude building municipal economic reserves, 2003 marks the 20th year of these combined IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES creation of an Economic Redevelopment police and fire services. I wish them many Wednesday, March 26, 2003 Agency, revitalization of the historic San Ga- briel Mission District, implementation of the $5 more years of continued success. Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in f million Millennium Miles Program to rehabili- honor of the parish community of Saint tate San Gabriel’s streets, seismic and ADA RECOGNIZING MR. RONALD J. Wendelin Church, as they celebrate one hun- retrofitting of City Hall, restoration of the leg- RUFFENNACH dred years of healing and hope in Cleveland’s endary San Gabriel Civic Auditorium, the Ohio City neighborhood. Throughout the past three-acre Smith Park Expansion Project, cre- HON. CHET EDWARDS century, Saint Wendelin’s has served as a ated ordinances and supported public safety spiritual refuge, opening its doors to any soul OF TEXAS and other department programs to improve the in search of guidance and peace. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES quality of life for San Gabriel residents. The ministry of Saint Wendelin’s began in An active member of the San Gabriel com- Wednesday, March 26, 2003 1903, originally serving the Slovak community munity, he has supported and participated in Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to of Cleveland’s near west side. On May 3rd of the creation of exciting, fun-filled programs recognize Mr. Ronald J. Ruffennach for his that same year, the community received per- and events to educate and communicate the many years of hard work, initiative and dedica- mission to found Saint Wendelin Parish. A unique story that is San Gabriel and celebrate tion to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and small church was soon constructed and on San Gabriel’s diversity such as the Alhambra- our Nation. December 6, 1903, Father Koudelka cele- San Gabriel Lunar New Year Parade and Fes- Ron has served the Corps for 30 years. His brated Saint Wendelin’s first mass. Not long tival, Christmas in April, Three-day San Ga- career encompasses working in the Pittsburgh after, the Sisters of Notre Dame established briel Birthday & Festival, California History District, Europe, and the Savannah District be- Saint Wendelin’s School. The order would Day, Mission District Mercado, National Night fore transferring to the Southwestern Division’s continue to provide quality Catholic education Out, and Kids Day. Fort Worth District Office in 1984. During his for the next seventy years. Dominic Polimeni retired from the County of career, he has been called upon to accom- In 1925, the current church and school com- Los Angeles as Administrator of Alhambra Mu- plish many significant projects for the Corps of plex was dedicated. Always reaching outward, nicipal Court in 1996 after a distinguished ca- Engineers. Saint Wendelin’s welcomes all believers to join reer spanning 36 years. Mayor Polimeni and

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