E284 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks March 4, 1998 To the people in my district, the safety of HONORING THE BIRTH OF ABBEY HONORING HENRY STEELE pipelines is absolutely essential. My constitu- DEENA TO DR. HERBERT LEPOR COMMAGER ents were witnesses to a horrible tragedy that AND DR. ELLEN SHAPIRO they carry with them, even four years later, HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS fears they had never before imagined. In a OF VIRGINIA way however, they were also witnesses to a HON. PETER T. KING IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES miracle: only one person lost her life in the ac- OF NEW YORK Wednesday, March 4, 1998 cident, tragically suffering a heart attack, and most residents escaped without injury. Cer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, it is with tainly, in light of the total devastation of the deep sadness that I rise today to announce Wednesday, March 4, 1998 area, the potential for a greater number of fa- the passing of a great historian and teacher, Henry Steele Commager. His contributions to talities is apparent. Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I rise to inform the The Edison accident, like the majority of our nation during the twentieth century are be- House that on February 25, 1998, Dr. Herbert pipeline accidents, was caused by third party yond measure. He taught generations of Lepor and Dr. Ellen Shapiro became the damage. Often times, excavators do not know Americans to respect the genius that lay be- what is buried beneath their work sites. This proud parents of a baby daughter, Abbey hind one of the greatest documents in world ignorance can lead to fatal and expensive Deena. Abbey Deena was born at The New history, the United States Constitution. Mr. consequences. The bill we are introducing York Presbyterian Hospital and she weighed Commager died on Monday, March 2, 1998 at today proposes three simple solutions to this in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces. The best news of the age of 95. It is difficult for me to believe problem: before they begin digging, all exca- all is that Abbey Deena and her mother are in that such a prolific American historian is gone. When I was a student at Amherst College, vators should call a central phone number to perfect health. I had the honor of having Mr. Commager as learn whether there are any underground fa- I am proud to be able to call Dr. Lepor and an instructor. This brilliant scholar reminded cilities at the excavation site. All facility opera- Dr. Shapiro my good friends. Dr. Shapiro is an his students about the unique circumstances tors should participate in One-Call programs, internationally renowned Pediatric Urologist and rare, combined genius that existed when and, once notified, should accurately mark any our republic was created. In addition, he underground facilities. Finally, states should and is the Director of Pediatric Urology at New York University Medical Center. She received worked tirelessly to awaken a true respect for strongly enforce their One-Call laws to encour- and commitment to our government institu- age maximum participation in One-Call pro- her medical degree from the University of Ne- braska College of Medicine, was a surgical in- tions from his students. Under his tutelage, I grams. These simple measures can save came to learn about the power of our Con- tern and resident at the Johns Hopkins Hos- lives, prevent property damage, and prevent stitution and the importance of its structure in pital and a Clinical Associate in the Surgery the need for expensive repairs. every facet of our government. I believe Mr. More than anything else, One-Call is about Branch of the National Cancer Institute, Be- Commager's tireless passion led many young prevention. One telephone call can prevent thesda, Maryland. She was a fellow in Pedi- people such as myself to public service. More- explosions like the Edison accident. One tele- atric Urology at the Children's Hospital of over, I firmly believe he showed many of his phone call can prevent the death of an exca- Michigan and was Assistant Professor of Sur- students how to be active citizens committed vator digging near a gas line. One telephone gery at the Washington University School of to fighting apathy in the American electorate. call can prevent the contamination of the envi- Medicine and at the Medical College of Wis- Mr. Commager encouraged all politicians ronment by a ruptured hazardous liquid or consin. Prior to moving to New York City, she not to be afraid of their moral convictions and sewer line. One telephone call can prevent the practiced Pediatric Urology at the Children's to vote on the principles that originally elected need for expensive repairs to fiber optic ca- them to office. He was a strong-willed man bles. As another example, shortly after the Hospital of St. Louis and the Children's Hos- pital of Wisconsin. with the singular courage to pursue the hearts pipeline incident in my district, a cut in an and minds of all Americans. His writings were electric line at Newark airport by a contractor Dr. Lepor has been Chairman of Urology at not limited to the academic world, rather he resulted in closure of the Airport for nearly 24 New York University School of Medicine since actively sought to engage all individuals and hours. One-Call programsÐand this billÐ 1993. During that time he has established one rouse in them a passion for our history, our would prevent this type of accident. of the preeminent centers of urological care, founding fathers, and our institutions of gov- Today, 49 States have some kind of One- education and research in America. Dr. Lepor ernment. Henry Steele Commager dedicated Call system, but Federal action is necessary, graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum himself and his life's work to preserving our as demonstrated by the accidents mentioned laude from the University of California, Los Constitution. above. Many current state systems are inad- Angeles (UCLA) at the age of 20. He earned I know that Henry Steele Commager will be equate. Some provide exemptions for certain missed by lawmakers in both chambers who his medical degree at the Johns Hopkins Uni- types of excavators. Some fail to cover all un- were influenced by his many writings, particu- versity School of Medicine and completed derground facilities. Some states have incred- larly The Growth of the American Republic. ibly complex enforcement mechanisms, and Urology Residency Training at the Brady The breadth of his work and its lasting legacy some states don't bother to enforce One-Call Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins. Dr. will always serve as a reminder of Mr. laws at all. This bill recommends a program Lepor is a nationally renowned expert on pros- Commager's patriotism and the strength of his that will be successful. The key to this suc- tate treatment and has written numerous sci- commitment to democratic principles. My cess is the concept of participation by all ex- entific articles and books on that topic. He per- deepest condolences go to Henry cavators and facility operators. Excavators will forms more radical prostatectomies a year Commager's family, his wife Mary Powesland be assured that they are digging in a safe than any other surgeon in the tri-state area. and his children. Recent articles in both The place, and facility operators have insurance He has been recognized by American Health Washington Post and The Washington Times that their lines will not be damaged. magazine and New York Magazine for his ex- illustrates Mr. Commager's contributions to our This bill encourages States to improve their pertise in prostate cancer. nation. One-Call programs. It contains no mandate [From the Washington Post] that States adopt such a system. Instead, it At the time of their marriage, Dr. Lepor and Dr. Shapiro were the only husband and wife Henry Steele Commager, 95, one of the provides grants to States that choose to insti- leading scholars of U.S. history, died March tute the principles of this bill and develop ef- Urology team in America. More important than 2 at his home in Amherst, Mass. The cause of fective one-call systems. I believe that once any of their professional abilities, however, death was not reported. states delve deeply into this issue they will they are outstanding people who care deeply Dr. Commager taught U.S. history at col- conclude, as I have, that a comprehensive about their patients and give untiringly of leges and universities for more than a half- One-Call system is a life-saving device that themselves. century. Since the 1930's, he had maintained should be a part of any public safety program. a torrential outpouring of writing aimed not With this bill, we have an opportunity to pre- As happy as Dr. Lepor and Dr. Shapiro are only at sophisticated scholars but also at un- dergraduates, high school students and the vent accidents like the Edison explosion in over the birth of their beautiful daughter, I know that Abbey Deena will soon realize how general reader. He had the gift, rare in an every community in this country. Let us take academic, of being able to seemingly effort- the explosion that awoke the residents of the fortunate she is to have such outstanding par- lessly translate historically complex matters Durham Woods Apartment Complex in Edison ents. On behalf of myself and my family I wish into supremely lucid and deceptively simple as a wake up call to us. Pass one-call. them the very best of health and happiness.