September 27, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2043 All at the ready . . . all out in front INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 7063, THE ing the Finance Committee and the Scholar- ever steady while on the hunt, for our U.S. AND THE WORLD EDU- ship Committee. Jack helped form the Memo- freedom to so insure . . . CATION ACT rial Hospital of Bedford County Foundation, But, in life . . . There are new battles, and worked on the Spring House Estates project, new wars . . . Only won by heart’s of and was a key player during the transition of gold so fine and pure, that which so HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ touch us all with their sacrifice all the OF CALIFORNIA the hospital to the University of Pittsburgh more . . . Building day by day, passing IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Medical Center. Mr. Blackburn was born on December 19, heartache’s way . . . lifting up her Thursday, September 25, 2008 head . . . This Magnificent Force . . . 1922 and has been a life-long resident of Bed- In Susan Downes . . . In what was lost, we so Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. ford County. After graduating from Bedford see in life . . . against all odds, what so Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my col- High School he enrolled and graduated from can be found! When Courage Crests, as leagues to support H.R. 7063, the U.S. and the prestigious Dartmouth College in New her faith does us so bless . . . when but the World Education Act, which I introduced in Hampshire. Jack served in the Army Air Corps the best of all heart’s so astounds . . . the House this week. for 3 years and was 1st Lieutenant in the Pa- Could we, would we? Ever find the such This bill addresses the need to improve stu- cific Theatre during World War II. He was also strength to go off to war, then come dent awareness of and achievement in inter- one of the select few who flew the B–32 back home and fight one more? To re- national education so they will be able to com- bomber in the Philippines during that conflict. build where none lies left, without pete in an information age world that is con- After his military service Mr. Blackburn re- arms or legs . . . not to cry or beg, to so touch our Lord! stantly shrinking due to rapid technological ad- turned home and became a partner of vances. Blackburn Russell, a grocery distributor in Some people, are put upon this earth . . . So sent down from our Lord above, to but This bill will create a grant program to fund Bedford. teach us all above faith’s true fine international education professional develop- When Jack became a member of the Bed- worth! To Teach Us To Reach Us, To ment for elementary and secondary teachers, ford Memorial Hospital Board of Directors in So Touch All Our Hearts . . . inside all and related supplemental extracurricular activi- 1955 he was following a path paved by his fa- of our souls here first! ties for students. These activities could include ther, John Blackburn, Sr., who has been one Against all odds! When, all the chips are Model U.N., geography bees, and foreign lan- of the original Board members. Jack’s service down . . . only where heart’s of faith so guage clubs, among many others. to the hospital was anything but in his father’s found . . . In such courage now, do our In addition, H.R. 7063 would establish an shadow. He served on 12 different hospital hearts astound . . . all in Heroes like international education research repository committees administering everything from the Sue Downes! In Hearts As Found! containing scientifically valid education re- Buildings and Grounds Committee to the Con- Susan Downes was a gunner in Afghani- search, and promising and exemplary prac- gestive Heart Failure Committee. He was stan. She is an F4 in The United States Army. tices related to international education and for- elected Secretary of the Board in 1964 and She lost both her feet and part of her legs in eign language education. This repository served in that role until he was elected Vice- an IED explosion. She is from Tazewell, Ten- would be available to state and local edu- President in 1976. Ten years later Jack found nessee, is married to her husband Gabriel, cational agencies in order to continually im- himself elevated to the position of President of and they have two wonderful children named prove their international education curriculum the Board of Directors. His position was re- Austin and Alexis. and teaching methods. titled in 1994 making him Chairman of the This bill supports improvements in the way Board. After 22 years of leading the Board, f international education is taught in the class- and 53 years of service overall, Jack made room, and encourages students and teachers TRIBUTE TO LTG JOHN R. WOOD the decision to step down and enjoy retire- to engage in life-long learning on the various ment. topics involved in international education, such Mr. Blackburn and his late wife, Elizabeth HON. IKE SKELTON as foreign languages, geography, world his- dedicated their lives to improving their commu- OF MISSOURI tory, international economics and international nity. Jack has been an active member and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES culture. leader in the Bedford community for many Thursday, September 25, 2008 These days with just a simple computer years and is well respected. A life of servitude mouse click, we can create personal or pro- to one’s community is something to be proud Mr. SKELTON. Madam Speaker, it has fessional relationships with anyone around the of. It is also not one that is easy to step away come to my attention that LTG John R. Wood world. In the workplace, American-based mul- from, because in a man like Jack Blackburn, is retiring from the U.S. Army. tinational corporations and small businesses the desire to help others and the community is Lieutenant General Wood graduated from are increasingly in need of employees with something that never truly disappears. I would the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in knowledge of foreign languages and cultures. like to wish Mr. Blackburn all the best in his 1972. He has served in many posts, including Future generations need to be equipped future endeavors. It is my pleasure to honor as the platoon leader to the commanding gen- with a skill-set that will help them be success- Mr. Blackburn today for his many years of eral of the 2nd Infantry Division of the 8th U.S. ful and meet the demands of a global work- service to the Bedford Community, and I hold Army—Republic of South Korea, as a National force. H.R. 7063, the U.S. and the World Edu- him up as a model example of good citizen- Security Fellow to the White House, and as a cation Act will help prepare our students and ship. commander at the U.S. Joint Forces Com- our country for the global economy of the fu- f mand’s Joint Experimentation Directorate. ture. Lieutenant General Wood has overseen the TRIBUTE TO BOB AHRENS f Joint Forces Command’s missions on training, experimentation and integration for the U.S. TRIBUTE TO JOHN R. BLACKBURN, HON. TOM LATHAM military. Lieutenant General Wood is a highly JR. OF IOWA decorated commander, earning the Bronze IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Star, Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service HON. BILL SHUSTER Thursday, September 25, 2008 Medal, and many others. The General also OF PENNSYLVANIA holds advanced degrees from the University of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to rec- Chicago and the U.S. Army Command and ognize the retirement of a local Ogden, Iowa General Staff College. Thursday, September 25, 2008 mechanic, Bob Ahrens and to express my ap- Madam Speaker, LTG John R. Wood is a Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise preciation for his dedication and commitment valuable member of his community, but more- today in honor of John R. Blackburn, Jr., to his community. over, an honorable soldier. His dedication to Chairman of the UPMC Bedford Memorial For 41 years, Bob has been fixing cars for the Armed Forces should certainly be noted. I Board of Directors. Mr. Blackburn will be retir- his friends, neighbors and strangers in the know the Members of the House will join me ing after 53 years of service to the UPMC Ogden area. He is known for doing quality car in thanking Lieutenant General Wood for his Bedford Memorial Hospital. During his tenure repairs without costing a fortune to his cus- service in the U.S. military, and in wishing him John, or Jack, as he prefers to be known, has tomers. He also has performed many jobs on and his family nothing but the best in the served in multiple leadership roles and has cars where he did not bother to collect the many years to come. been active in a variety of committees includ- money owed to him. His long-time business

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:38 Sep 28, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A25SE8.090 E27SEPT1 rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with REMARKS E2044 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 27, 2008 has been a staple holding the community’s Bringing Light! and addressing other problems related to the transportation needs together, and his serv- Bringing Hope! patient’s illness, at no cost to the patient. The ices will be greatly missed. As in the darkest days of war you fought . . . grants will be made available to existing and Bob Ahrens selfless, hardworking Iowa Such a thing of beauty Joshua, as you Thou new patient advocacy programs. Art! Madam Speaker, to ensure that patients mentality has set a lasting standard for the Are but the colors of your heart . . . people of the Ogden community. I know that All in this your life’s design! facing serious illness are able to effectively my colleagues in the United States Congress Reminds us all, how against all odds your address the major issues that confront them join me in commending Bob Ahrens for his courage climbed . . . during their illness, it is vitally important that service. I consider it an honor to represent As against the darkest of all evil’s you so they have access to professional case man- Bob in Congress, and I wish him a long, shined . . . agement services. The Patient Advocate Act happy and healthy retirement. All in your Seal of Honor burning bright . . . will provide communities with the ability to es- To win that day, that night! f tablish patient advocate programs to assist pa- Shining, all in your most sacrificial light tients as they negotiate the challenges of seri- ... IN MEMORY OF PETTY OFFICER ous illness. I urge my colleagues to support JOSHUA T. HARRIS Burning bold, burning bright . . . blessing all of us here this night! this bill. For Joshua, how so you lived and died . . . f HON. DUNCAN HUNTER Brings such tears, even to The Angels eyes! TRIBUTE TO JERRY HOWELL OF CALIFORNIA As so surely, it was but Heaven Joshua you’d IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES find! As we gaze upon this Masterpiece, all in the HON. TOM LATHAM Thursday, September 25, 2008 life you so left behind! OF IOWA Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today Mount Up Seal . . . Your new battle has IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES begun . . . to honor and pay tribute to the life and mem- Thursday, September 25, 2008 ory of former Petty Officer First Class Joshua It’s your new war to be won! All as an Angel in The Army of Our Lord, my T. Harris, who was killed during combat oper- Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise to rec- son! ognize the retirement of Jerry Howell, organist ations in Afghanistan last week. Joshua was a Now with wings of courage full . . . at the Maxwell Church of the Brethren and native of Lexington, North Carolina, and was A thing of beauty . . . Loring United Methodist Church of Maxwell, deployed to Afghanistan from an assignment A work of art . . . Iowa, and to express my appreciation for his at the Naval Special Warfare Development Joshua, my most magnificent of all sons . . . dedication and commitment to his church and Group in Dam Neck, Virginia. You are Thou Art! community. Joshua graduated from Lexington Senior Amen. . . . For the past 50 years, Jerry has contributed f High School where he distinguished himself as his time and talents to his church community. an outstanding linebacker earning both all- INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION He began piano lessons at the age of 11. In county and all-conference honors. He enrolled THE PATIENT ADVOCATE ACT 1958, the organist at Santiago Methodist in Davison College in Davison, North Carolina, Church in rural Mitchellville retired, and at the where he studied studio art before pursuing HON. ROBERT C. ‘‘BOBBY’’ SCOTT age of 14, Jerry was called up to the organ graduate studies in architecture at the Univer- bench. In 1989, Jerry and his wife Opal trans- sity of North Carolina. OF VIRGINIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ferred their church membership to Loring After enlisting in the Navy on August 23, United Methodist Church in rural Maxwell, 2000, Joshua attended Navy SEAL training in Thursday, September 25, 2008 Iowa. The organist at Loring retired, and Jerry California. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, ac- was back on the organ bench. For the past 10 Joshua Harris is survived by his mother cess to quality, affordable health care is crit- years, he was the organist for both Loring and Evelyn, his father Sam, his twin sister Mary- ical to the well being of our citizens. With 46 Maxwell Church of the Brethren. Maria Kirstin and his older brother, Sam million uninsured, including 9 million children, It is estimated that in the past 50 years, Ranchor. He will always be remembered by and many more underinsured, we must focus Jerry has played for 2,700 Sunday morning his family and friends as a competitive athlete on strengthening our existing system as we services, 120 funerals and 25 weddings. Un- with a passion or art and design. continue to work to assure that quality health fortunately, Jerry’s career has been cut short I would like to share with my colleges a care is available to all. The Patient Advocate with his diagnosis of age-related macular de- poem penned by Albert Carey Caswell in Act will assist patients, particularly those with generation that has caused blurry vision that memory of Petty Officer First Class Joshua a chronic illness, in successfully meeting the makes reading and playing the music difficult. Harris, recognizing his heroism and sacrifice challenges brought on by their illness. Although he no longer plays the organ at to America. The poem titled ‘‘Thou Art’’ reads Patients battling a life-threatening illness are church, the memories of Jerry’s musical con- as follows: generally ill-equipped to negotiate with insur- tributions live on, and he continues to be an THOU ART ance companies, hospitals and other medical active member of his community. A thing of Beauty . . . providers. Advocates will be available to assist Beyond retiring from his service at church, A sheer work of art . . . with job retention and other debt crisis mat- Jerry also retired from his job as an account- Can only come but from deep inside one’s ters, while the patients are dealing with the re- ing technician at the Iowa Department of heart . . . ality of their illness at the same time. The lim- Transportation a year and a half ago, and he From only deep down inside one’s soul . . . has taken the opportunity to travel around the All in the brush strokes of a lifetime so . . . ited network of existing patient advocate pro- All on the canvass of a life behold . . . grams have proven their value and cost effec- country while his vision remains strong To all hearts and minds, and souls . . . tiveness. It is in the best interest of the patient enough. I consider it an honor to represent A thing of faith and courage, so! to have someone available to advocate on Jerry Howell in the United States Congress, A thing of beauty . . . their behalf while suffering from chronic ill- and I wish him a long, happy and healthy re- A work of art . . . ness. tirement as he continues to serve his commu- To warm all hearts as we grow old . . . Madam Speaker, the Patient Advocate Act nity and travel around the country. As was your fine life Josh, so . . . f All in courage’s quote . . . would establish a demonstration grant pro- All in the seeds of freedom you so sowed . . . gram for State, local, tribal and non-profit enti- RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE As left behind, to all hearts which spoke . . . ties to develop and operate patient advocate RON LEWIS ON THE OCCASION All upon your fine canvass of life as lies such programs. The programs will assist patients in OF HIS RETIREMENT hope . . . resolving health insurance, job retention, debt Which but means the very most . . . crisis and other problems related to the pa- That so touches all of our hearts and souls tients’ diagnosis and illness. Specific services HON. JO BONNER OF ALABAMA ... include negotiating pre-authorization claims, Is but your fine portrait of life, that which IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES expediting the appeals process on contested you so wrote! Thursday, September 25, 2008 Painted, all there by your oh so magnificent claims, resolving billing errors and other bill heart of gold . . . issues, resolving debt crises, brokering re- Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today All in this your Honor’s Code . . . sources to supplement limits to insurance, to honor the distinguished career of the Hon- Is but left a fine reflection of your very soul! gaining access to services for the uninsured, orable RON LEWIS for his service to the people

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