E294 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 7, 2002 patients with ovarian cancer and those from HONORING RICHARD GONZALES, IN MEMORY OF MICHELE MILLS unaffected individuals. 2001 RECIPIENT OF THE YMCA However, despite the success of this pre- DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD liminary research, it is only the first step in the HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS testing process. It is incumbent that we find HON. KEN CALVERT OF NEW YORK out as soon as possible whether protein OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES screening is an effective preventive health- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES screening tool for this devastating disease. Thursday, March 7, 2002 Thursday, March 7, 2002 Therefore I am introducing legislation which will instruct the Secretary of the Department of Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, my congres- Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Health and Human to immediately conduct or sional district in Riverside, California is ex- a wonderful woman who was taken from us support research on the effectiveness of the tremely fortunate to have a dynamic and dedi- well before her time. Michele Mills was called medical screening technique of using cated group of community leaders who will- home on Monday, November 12, 2001. She proteomic patterns in blood serum to identify ingly and unselfishly give of their time and tal- was aboard American Airlines flight 587, from ovarian cancer, including the effectiveness of ents to ensure the well-being of our cities and New York to the Dominican Republican, which so using proteomic patterns in combination county. These individuals work tirelessly to de- seconds after take off tragically fell out of the with other screening methods for ovarian can- velop voluntary community action to improve sky and crashed into a residential neighbor- cer. the region’s economy, its education, its envi- hood in Queens, New York. If the testing finds the test effective, this leg- ronment and its overall quality of life. One indi- Michele Mills was born to Priscilla and Eu- islation would require that Medicare cover the vidual, who is a member of this group, is Rich- gene Mills on June 4, 1955 in St. Mary’s Hos- cost of this preventive health-screening tool. ard Gonzales. He has been active in so many pital in Brooklyn. Michele remained a proud Medicare will treat proteomic screening at the community groups and activities that it is hard resident of Brooklyn for many years living in same reimbursement rate and under the same to imagine how he found the time to become Red Hook and Crown Heights. After grad- rules and restrictions as a Pap smear test. a career law enforcement officer with the Los uating from the Franklin D. Roosevelt High Therefore, Medicare will cover this test fro Angeles Police Department (LAPD), as the School in 1973, she continued her education all women starting at the age of 50 once every Chief of Police for the City of Coronoa, a hus- at the Fashion Institute of Technology where two years and will reimburse health are pro- band and a father of two. she majored in merchandising/buying. With On the 9th of March, Mr. Gaonzales will be viders at exactly the same rate as pap encouragement from her sister, Tricia, Michele honored with the Ira. D. ‘‘Cal’’ Calvert Distin- smears. moved on to an aviation career working for guished Service Award by the Corona-Norco Mr. Speaker, those of us who have been Overseas National Airlines. In 1978, Michele Family YMCA. The award is given in memory elected to Congress have been entrusted with joined American Airlines. She worked there for of my father, ‘‘Cal’’ Calvert, and his innumer- enormous responsibility and enormous power. her remaining twenty-three years. We must use our power wisely, for the com- able philanthropic gifts to the community and Michele always kept her priorities in order: mon good. There is no issue of more impor- his efforts to encourage others to serve their God, family, work and hobbies. She realized tance to the people of the United States than community in a similar fashion. The award God’s presence in her life at a very early age health care, and no more poignant issue than recognizes Mr. Gonzales for his exceptional and joined Brownsville Community Baptist the health off our women. Ovarian cancer is a devotion to developing community vol- Church, where she served as a faithful mem- heartbreaking disease that strikes surrep- unteerism. ber. She was a very spiritual person who rou- titiously and long before any symptoms are Richard’s career with the LAPD lasted for tinely began her day with meditation and spir- manifest. Waiting for symptoms means our an impressive 26 years where he commanded itual readings. mothers and sisters and daughters are ex- many divisions. During those years, he served tremely vulnerable to unacceptably high fatal- as a police officer, detective, sergeant, lieuten- Michele’s family and friends were an ex- ity rates. By detecting the disease in Stage 1, ant and captain. After retiring from LAPD, tremely important part of her life. Her home we will save thousands of lives. In the devel- Richard was named the police chief of Corona was a gathering place for festive occasions. opment of national priorities, can there be any- in 1998. Richard holds a Master of Arts in She took great pride in graciously serving oth- thing more important than saving lives? I think Public Administration and a Bachelor of ers and did so with a warm smile. Her col- not. Let us proceed with the research, and if Science in Criminal Justice, both from Cali- leagues became her extended family. successful, let us implement effective early fornia State University, Long Beach. He is a Michele was an avid reader, a gourmet screening for ovarian cancer. graduate of the FBI National Academy in cook, an interior decorator and a thrifty shop- Mr. Speaker, this is medical breakthrough. Quantico, Virginia and holds a POST certifi- per. She was rarely seen at work or around Now let us breakthrough government and bu- cate for Command Development. He is also the house without her ‘‘book of the week,’’ reaucracy and start saving lives. an adjunct professor at Golden West College, nearby. She became well known by her JFK f where he teaches a POST Discipline course co-workers, family and friends for her famous, at the Criminal Justice Training Center. ‘‘Michele’s Fried Chicken.’’ Every aspect of her PERSONAL EXPLANATION With all of these career and family commit- life was orderly; and her attire was always im- ments, Richard’s unselfish giving of time and peccable. She took little to nothing for granted. HON. BARBARA LEE energy to volunteering is all the more impres- sive and serves as a model to his community, Michele is survived by her parents, Priscilla OF CALIFORNIA and Eugene Mills; her siblings, Tricia and Ken- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES neighbors and own children. His strong com- mitment to the Inland Empire is displayed in neth Mills; her fiance´e, Henry Ray; two uncles: Thursday, March 7, 2002 his participation in the Corona Police Commu- Bob Mills of Edison, New Jersey and Freddie Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I was not present for nity Partnership, Coalition for Family Preserva- Holmes of Columbia, South Carolina; five votes Tuesday or Wednesday, due to official tion, Corona Rotary, as a board member for aunts, Albertha Bell of Brooklyn, New York, business in my district. Had I been present, I UNITY which deals with community youth Dezel Mallory of North Carolina, Doris Mills of would have voted: sports and the Coronoa-Norco YMCA. Chief Edison, New Jersey, Lysine Holmes of South Tuesday, March 5, 2002: ‘‘Yea’’ on H. Con. Gonzales has actively instituted partnerships Carolina, Irene Holmes of Brooklyn, New York, Res. 305, Permitting The Use Of the Rotunda with our local school district, ministerial groups a great aunt, Lucille Wilkins of Brooklyn, New For A Ceremony To Present A Congressional and other services in keeping our community York, one god-daughter, Stephanie Holmes of Gold Medal To Former President Ronald safe and raising the quality of life in Corona. Brooklyn, and a host of cousins and friends Reagan And Nancy Reagan. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to thank throughout the United States. Wednesday, March 6, 2002: ‘‘Yea’’ on the Richard Gonzales for his dedication, influence Mr. Speaker, Michele Mills was a woman Journal vote; ‘‘nay’’ on House Resolution 354, and involvement in our community. I know that who enjoyed her religion, her family, her work, the rule for considering seven suspension we will continue to benefit from his longtime and her hobbies. She worked hard, no matter bills, because I believe we should be passing experience in the 43rd congressional district which part of her life was her focus at any par- meaningful unemployment insurance relief for and deep commitment to the region. It is a ticular moment. As such I hope that my col- laid-off workers first; and ‘‘Yea’’ on S.J. Res. great pleasure for me to congratulate Richard leagues will join me in honoring the memory of 32—Congratulating the U.S. Military Academy on his outstanding career with the LAPD and this woman who was at the beginning of a at West Point On Its Bicentennial Anniversary. his lifelong devotion to the community. truly remarkable life..