E544 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 8, 2008 INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 5721, THE Health and Human Services to help our Na- Captain Anzevino earned the Bronze Star STRENGTHENING THE SAFETY tion’s health care providers fund health access while he was commander of Co. L, 3rd Bat- NET ACT OF 2008 networks, which will get low income and unin- talion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Divi- sured patients who need basic medical care sion of the II Marine Expeditionary Force in HON. JOHN SULLIVAN out of emergency rooms and into primary care Iraq. He was team chief and staff maneuver OF OKLAHOMA facilities. These networks would be required to advisor for the Military Transition Team. 1st IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES provide high quality primary, outpatient, inpa- Battalion. 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, tient and specialty care to uninsured and other from January to July 2007. Tuesday, April 8, 2008 medically vulnerable populations in an effort to His award citation states, ‘‘Anzevino pro- Mr. SULLIVAN. Madam Speaker, today, I reduce the costs of treating these individuals vided advice and assistance to Iraqi leaders of am pleased to introduce H.R. 5721, the for hospitals and taxpayers alike. 1st Battalion during counterinsurgency oper- Strengthening the Safety Net Act of 2008. This According to a 2005 study by the Lewin ations, which led to the elimination of numer- important legislation will increase Medicaid Group on Strategic Planning for Safety-Net ous insurgents.’’ Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) pay- Services, Tulsa, like many communities, faces Captain Anzevino’s bravery goes above and ments to Oklahoma and 19 other low DSH many challenges in its delivery, financing and beyond what we are asked of as citizens of States and bring Oklahoma’s hospitals on organization that limit its ability to successfully this country. His heroism illustrates the com- equal footing with other States who receive meet the needs of safety-net populations. To passion of Iowans; willing to risk their own their fair share of DSH funds. give an example, the price of treating the indi- lives for their country. For this I offer him my With Oklahoma having the fourth highest gent at our hospital emergency rooms is as- utmost respect, congratulations, and thanks. rate of uninsured in the Nation, it is critical that tounding compared to the cost of treating I commend Captain Jeremy Anzevino’s cou- Oklahoma hospitals receive a fair distribution someone in a primary care setting. To give rageousness and service to our great nation. of DSH funds we need to care for our indigent you an example: the Oklahoma Health Care I am honored to represent Captain Anzevino population. This legislation will increase the Authority recently found that the cost of a in the United States Congress and I wish him rate that unused DSH funds are reimbursed to claim for asthma treatment in a primary care the best in his future service to our country. these low DSH States from the current rate of setting was $34.12 per claim, while the aver- f 16 percent to 19.5 percent for the next 5 age cost for the same asthma treatment in an years. The Medicare Modernization Act of emergency room setting was $61.20 per A PROCLAMATION HONORING 2003 statutorily defined low DSH States and claim. While some of these claims may have JAMES VAN VOORHIS FOR WIN- provided these States with 16 percent funding been emergencies, it is clear that treatment in NING THE BOYS’ DIVISION II increases each year for the last 5 fiscal years. an outpatient setting is significantly less, al- STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPION- In total, there are 20 States that have lower most two times less, than treatment in an SHIP DSH allotments, including: Alaska, Arizona, emergency room. Without these networks in Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, place, the majority of Oklahoma’s uninsured HON. ZACHARY T. SPACE Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Ne- will continue to go without a primary OF OHIO braska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Okla- healthcare provider. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES homa, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Wis- Lastly, my bill also changes the grandfather Tuesday, April 8, 2008 consin, and Wyoming. The 16 percent rate ex- clause for the mandatory requirement related pires at the end of this fiscal year, so it is crit- to hospitals providing nonemergency obstetric Mr. SPACE. Madam Speaker: ical that we increase this percentage so that services which are located in low DSH States. Whereas, James Van Voorhis showed hard our hospitals do not feel the financial strain of The new grandfather clause will be the date work and dedication to the sport of basketball; providing health care services to the indigent. this law becomes enacted. The purpose of this and Under the 19.5 percent increases, Okla- change is to remove a constraint imposed on Whereas, James Van Voorhis was a sup- homa will receive an additional $49 million in low DSH States whose rural hospitals stopped portive team player; and Federal funds which, when matched by the providing nonemergency obstetrics during the Whereas, James Van Voorhis always dis- State, could amount to $75 million over the 5- 1990s and early 2000s due to rising liability in- played sportsmanship on and off of the court; year period to allocate to Oklahoma hospitals surance costs. The change is intended to en- now, therefore, be it to help offset the costs of uncompensated courage low DSH States to change their ap- Resolved, that along with his friends, family, care. Oklahoma hospitals provided $325 mil- proach to funding more hospitals through the and the residents of the 18th Congressional lion in uncompensated care costs in 2006. DSH program. Should my legislation become District, I congratulate James Van Voorhis on H.R. 5721 will help decrease uncompensated law, 16 additional Oklahoma hospitals will be winning the Boys’ Division II State Basketball care costs for Oklahoma hospitals and ensure able to qualify for DSH funds. Championship. We recognize the tremendous fairness among all 50 States by equitably dis- I am pleased to have the support of the hard work and sportsmanship he has dem- tributing unused DSH Funds. Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the Okla- onstrated during the 2007–2008 basketball Since this bill is being solely funded through homa Hospital Association and advocates for season. unused Federal DSH allotments, the funding Tulsa health-plexes for the Strengthening the f source of the bill merely utilizes funds that are Safety Net Act of 2008. As a member of the IN MEMORY OF PETTY OFFICER currently being returned to the Federal Gov- House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee MICHAEL ANTHONY MONSOOR ernment by other States that do not use all of on Health, I am looking forward to working their DSH funds. These unused funds cur- with my colleagues on the committee to see rently are not being used toward any other this legislation become law. HON. DUNCAN HUNTER health care related programs. f OF CALIFORNIA Another important issue which needs to be IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES addressed is access to quality, affordable RECOGNIZING CAPTAIN JEREMY D. health care, especially within our Nation’s indi- ANZEVINO Tuesday, April 8, 2008 gent population. Indigent patients in Oklahoma Mr. HUNTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today and our Nation face a significant number of HON. TOM LATHAM to honor and pay tribute to the life and mem- unmet health care needs. These patients have OF IOWA ory of former Petty Officer Second Class Mi- difficulty accessing primary, diagnostic and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES chael Anthony Monsoor, who has been award- specialty care and rely on hospital emergency ed this Nation’s highest military honor, the rooms as their primary entry into the health Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Medal of Honor. A California native, Michael care system. The price of treating the indigent Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today courageously gave his life in the service of his at hospital emergency rooms is astounding to recognize Captain Jeremy D. Anzevino as country, upholding and reflecting the highest compared to care found in a primary care set- a recipient of a Bronze Star Medal for heroic traditions of the United States Navy. ting. H.R. 5721 will help bring down these achievement during combat operations in sup- Born April 5, 1981, in Long Beach Cali- costs and save taxpayer dollars in the proc- port of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Bronze fornia, Michael attended Garden Grove High ess. Star is the fourth highest award that the De- School where he played football. He enlisted My legislation will create an innovative new partment of Defense gives for bravery. her- in the U.S. Navy on March 21, 2001 and at- grant program through the Department of oism, and meritorious service. tended Basic Training at Recruit Training

VerDate Aug 31 2005 05:34 Apr 09, 2008 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08AP8.054 E08APPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS April 8, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E545 Command, Great Lakes, Illinois. After gradua- Petty Officer Michael Anthony Monsoor was turned over to KBR, not the appropriate law tion, he attended Quartermaster School and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by enforcement authorities as is standard in rape then transferred to the Naval Air Station, the President of the United States on April 8, cases. It’s not a surprise then that KBR lost Sigonella, Italy, for a brief period. 2008. the very evidence that could be used against From this assignment, Michael entered An ancient historian once wrote, ‘‘The brav- it. Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) est are surely those who have the clearest vi- Jamie was then kept in a shipping con- training in Coronado, California, where he sion of what is before them, glory and danger tainer, under armed guard. She was told that graduated as one of the top performers in his alike, and yet not withstanding, go out to meet this was to protect her. It was really a way to class. After BUD/S training, he completed ad- it.’’ Madam Speaker, these words could speak keep her from telling others what she endured. vanced SEAL training, including parachute no better for the personal commitment of war- Jamie convinced a sympathetic guard to let training, at Basic Airborne School, Fort riors like Petty Officer Monsoor whose service her use his cell phone. Jamie called her dad Benning. Georgia, and cold weather training in and sacrifice in the face of evil cannot be for- and asked for help. Her dad then called my of- Kodiak, Alaska. gotten. fice. My staff and I contacted the Department Following his rating as Master-at-Arms, he Michael is survived by his mother Sally, his of State. Within 48 hours, agents were dis- was assigned to SEAL Team THREE Delta father George, his sister Sara and his two patched from the embassy in Baghdad and Platoon and deployed with his platoon to Iraq brothers James and Joseph who will always sent to rescue Jamie. in April 2006 in support of Operation IRAQI cherish the memories of his loving and caring It’s been nearly 3 years since Jamie was FREEDOM, and was subsequently assigned devotion to all that touched his life. A loyal assaulted. No one has been held accountable to Task Unit Bravo in Ar Ramadi. From then friend and an exceptional SEAL, he is sorely for what happened to Jamie. For 21⁄2 years, until September 2006, Michael served as a missed by his brave brothers in Task Unit the Department of Justice was silent as to heavy weapons machine gunner and, during Bravo. I extend my prayers and deepest con- what it was doing, if anything, to prosecute the combat patrols, he walked behind the platoon dolences to his loving family and friends and criminals. Its silence was broken once Jamie point man with his Mk 48 machine gun as pro- ask that my colleagues join me today in pay- went public with her case. tection against a frontal assault. On 15 such ing tribute to the life and memory of this true In December 2007, Jamie went to the na- missions Michael served tirelessly with his pla- American hero. tional media with her story. Since Jamie went toon in one of the most hazardous areas in f to the press, my office has heard from several Iraq and, under the rendering of summer heat, other former contractors alleging sexual as- he bore the extra burden of heavy commu- RECOGNIZING THE SECOND ANNI- saults in Iraq. Jamie has heard from as many nication gear and a full ammunition load. VERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF as 40 women through the nonprofit organiza- Michael and his platoon operated in a highly THE MANIFESTO ON FREEDOM tion she created, the Jamie Leigh Foundation, contested part of Ramadi city called the AND DEMOCRACY FOR VIETNAM to help other Americans victimized while work- Ma’laab district. During their deployment he ing abroad as government contractors. and his fellow SEALs came under enemy at- HON. ZOE LOFGREN By telling her story, Jamie showed other vic- tack on 75 percent of their missions. On May OF CALIFORNIA tims that it is okay to come forward and talk 9, 2006 Michael rescued a SEAL who was IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES about their assaults. She opened this coun- shot in the leg. He ran out in the street with try’s eyes to the ‘‘boys will be boys’’ atmos- Tuesday, April 8, 2008 another SEAL, shot cover fire and dragged his phere among the contractors in Iraq. And per- comrade to safety under intense enemy fire Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Madam haps most importantly, she showed other vic- earning a Silver Star for gallantry. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the second tims that they are not alone in their struggle to But Michael’s bravery did not end with this anniversary of the signing of the Manifesto on piece their lives back together. brave act. His Medal of Honor Citation reflects Freedom and Democracy for Vietnam. This And that’s just the way it is. that on September 29, 2006, ‘‘as a member of Manifesto, originally signed by 118 Viet- f a combined SEAL and Iraq Army sniper namese citizens and subsequently signed by overwatch element, tasked with providing early thousands of others, has been an inspiration RECOGNIZING PHIL FLEISTER OF warning and stand-off protection from a roof- to many who seek to bring democracy and ST. ANSGAR, IOWA top in an insurgent held sector of Ramadi, human rights to the citizens of Vietnam. Many Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished him- signers of this document have been detained HON. TOM LATHAM self by his exceptional bravery in the face of and have endured great sacrifice in the name OF IOWA grave danger. In the early morning, insurgents of their cause, and it is with the utmost re- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES prepared to execute a coordinated attack by spect that I rise in their honor. Tuesday, April 8, 2008 reconnoitering the area around the element’s f position. Element snipers thwarted the en- Mr. LATHAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today emy’s initial attempt by eliminating two insur- CONGRESSIONAL VICTIM’S RIGHTS to recognize the dedication and hard work of gents.’’ CAUCUS HONORS JAMIE LEIGH one of my constituents. Phil Fleisher of St. ‘‘The enemy continued the assault engaging JONES Ansgar, Iowa, who has organized one of the the element, engaging them with a rocket-pro- most ambitious tributes to tell the story of pelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy HON. TED POE America’s veterans. activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took OF TEXAS This Saturday, April 12, the first annual Vet- position with his machine gun between two IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES erans Heritage Day will be observed at the St. teammates on an outcropping of the roof. Ansgar Walter T. Ennenberg American Legion While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Post headquarters, thanks to Phil’s coordina- activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, tion. from an unseen location, which bounced off April 9, 2008, the Congressional Victim’s The event will display the largest military Petty Officer Monsoor’s chest landing in front Rights Caucus will holds its annual awards history collection in the north central region of of him. Although he could have escaped the ceremony to recognize individuals for their sig- Iowa, including thousands of veteran histories blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to nificant contributions to the victim’s rights field. compiled by Fleischer, a Vietnam war veteran, protect his teammates. Instantly and without The Congressional Victim’s Rights Caucus will in one of the most ambitious chronicles any- regard for his own safety, he threw himself award Jamie Leigh Jones with the Suzanne where, dating back to the American Civil War. onto the grenade to absorb the force of the McDaniel Public Awareness Award to recog- It has been noted in press reports that Phil explosion with his body, saving the lives of his nize her efforts in raising national awareness has sponsored and organized a number of two teammates.’’ of the plight of American contractors victimized these event, at his own expense, designed to ‘‘By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, abroad. educate and promote awareness for the sac- and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of Jamie Leigh Jones was only 20 years old rifices of U.S. military personnel in American certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly when she went to work for KBR in Baghdad. history. gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting She was only at the ironically-named Camp And, even though it is reported that Phil pre- great credit upon himself and upholding the Hope a few days before her coworkers alleg- fers to remain in the shadows and allow other highest traditions of the United States Naval edly drugged and gang-raped her. An Army veterans to take the spotlight, I wanted to Service.’’ For this the most extreme sacrifice, doctor administered a rape kit, which was then properly recognize Phil’s dedication to telling

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