E1384 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 31, 2019 subsequent years, he has been elected to the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Dr. Wersel has a long and storied career serve as Chairman by his fellow commis- Act. caring for our nation’s veterans, and she sioners. Through his friendship and profes- Had I been present, I would have voted knows what it means to pay the ultimate sac- sional relationships with judges, clerk mag- NAY on Roll Call No. 597. rifice. She is the widow of Lieutenant Colonel istrates and clerks of court throughout Norfolk f Richard Wersel, Jr. of the United States Ma- County, Fran helped institute physical changes rine Corps. Lieutenant Colonel Wersel served and improvements to Norfolk County court RECOGNIZING THE STRONG HIS- two tours of duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom TORY OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL IN houses. and unfortunately died just one week after re- AMERICA On February 16, 2017, Fran lost the love of turning home from Iraq. Dr. Wersel grew from his life, Nancy, after a long battle with Parkin- this tragedy and not only continued to help son’s disease and the onset of Alzheimer’s. HON. RODNEY DAVIS veterans through her role at Walter Reed Tragically, 19 months later, he lost his beloved OF ILLINOIS Medical Center, but also as an advocate for daughter, Marlene, suddenly on September IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Gold Star Families. 15, 2018, after her longtime fight with multiple infectious diseases. Thursday, October 31, 2019 Dr. Wersel holds a Doctorate of Audiology As Fran reaches the proud age of 90 years Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Madam from the School of Audiology-Salus University. old, he remains living independently in Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the She is also a graduate of the Defense Lan- Dedham, with his son, daughters and grand- 150th anniversary of the first ever college foot- guage Institute (DLI), Monterey, CA and holds children close by his side for support. Not sur- ball game played between Rutgers and a language certificate in Spanish. She earned prisingly, you’ll find him still helping people, Princeton in 1869. Just twenty-one years later, a Masters and a Bachelor’s Degree in Com- still caring for the town he loves, and still de- the Big Ten university in my district, the Uni- municative Disorders (Audiology) from San voted and loyal to his family and friends. versity of Illinois, would field its first football Diego State University. Madam Speaker, Francis W. O’Brien epito- game in 1890. Dr. Wersel currently works full time as an mizes the definition of a truly dedicated public Since those days, college football has be- servant. His life-long vocation of service to his come one of our nation’s most beloved pas- audiologist at Walter Reed National Military community is on constant display as he con- times. Today, it’s enjoyed by millions of Ameri- Medical Center and is designated as a pres- tinues to honorably serve the Town of cans and the sport has grown immensely with tigious Master Clinician. In addition to caring Dedham. I urge my colleagues, and all who nearly 80,000 student-athletes taking to the for the active-duty military, retirees, and their know Fran, to wish him the best on his 90th field every fall. families, she provides hearing health care for birthday. In many ways, it is a game that embodies members of Congress, including myself. f the spirit of what makes us great as a country. Over the past 30 years as an audiologist As Americans, we have a determination to she provided hearing care support to service EDUCATING MEDICAL PROFES- succeed; we believe in teamwork; we embrace members, retirees and their families at Camp SIONALS AND OPTIMIZING our individual roles as we work together to- Pendleton, CA; Twentynine Palms, CA, Nellis WORKFORCE EFFICIENCY AND ward a common goal bigger than ourselves. Air Force Base, Fort Brag NC, Camp Lejeune READINESS FOR HEALTH ACT OF Over the last 150 years, we’ve seen college NC, Fort Dietrick MD, Fort Belvoir VA, Walter 2019 football players become U.S. Presidents, Reed National Military Medical Center Be- Rhodes Scholars, actors, activists, CEOs, suc- thesda. But her service to our nation’s vet- SPEECH OF cessful entrepreneurs, academics, and yes— even elected officials. erans goes beyond her role as an audiologist. HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY So today we recognize the strong history of Shortly after her husband’s passing in 2005, OF ILLINOIS college football in our nation: the games, the Dr. Wersel discovered she was not eligible for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES teams, the rivalries, and the memories. My the newly enhanced survivor benefits. She Monday, October 28, 2019 family and I are longtime fans of college foot- subsequently became instrumental in chang- ball, and I am proud to celebrate 150 years of ing the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I am its history today. and Death Gratuity so that all active duty wid- grateful to Representatives GREGORIO KILILI f CAMACHO SABLAN, STEVE STIVERS, KENNY ows are now eligible for enhanced benefits. Today, she is considered a subject matter ex- MARCHANT, WILLIAM KEATING, ZOE LOFGREN, PERSONAL EXPLANATION and LAUREN UNDERWOOD for their support of pert on Military Survivor Benefits and has tes- H.R. 2781, the Educating Medical Profes- tified before this body twenty times on the sionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency HON. RICHARD HUDSON subject. OF NORTH CAROLINA and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act. In addition to her work on survivor benefits, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES They wanted to cosponsor this bill but were she is a member of the Gold Star Wives of unable to be added in time. Thursday, October 31, 2019 America (GSW) Public Relations; past chair of When H.R. 2781 passes the Senate and is Mr. HUDSON. Madam Speaker, I was un- the GSW Government Relations Committee, signed into law, we will increase the diversity avoidably detained and missed a vote series. President and founder of Arlington Gold Star of our health care workforce, improve geri- Had I been present, I would have voted yea Wives; military survivor advisor for the ‘‘Got atrics education and training to address gaps on Roll Call No. 593; yea on Roll Call No. Your Back Network’’; is an active participant in in caregiving and health care for older adults, 594; yea on Roll Call No. 595; yea on Roll the VA/DoD Survivor Forum, and founder of, and grow the critical pediatric health care Call No. 596; nay on Roll Call No. 597; yea on and advisor to the Surviving Spouses Support workforce. I look forward to working with my Roll Call No. 598; yea on Roll Call No. 599; colleagues as we continue our efforts to make Group II MEF, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. yea on Roll Call No. 600; yea on Roll Call No. She was a local representative for the Na- sure health care is more equitable and acces- 601; and nay on Roll Call No. 602. sible for our constituents. tional Military Family Association and was a f volunteer for the Tragedy Assistance Program f for Survivors (TAPS) and Military Officers As- RECOGNIZING THE WORK OF DR. sociation of America. PERSONAL EXPLANATION VIVIANNE CISNEROS WERSEL Dr. Wersel has devoted her career and her HON. STEVEN M. PALAZZO HON. BILLY LONG life to caring for our nation’s veterans and ad- vocating for Gold Star Families. In recognition OF MISSISSIPPI OF MISSOURI of her work and her much-deserved retire- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment, I will be flying a flag over the United Thursday, October 31, 2019 Thursday, October 31, 2019 States Capitol in her honor. Madam Speaker, Mr. PALAZZO. Madam Speaker, on Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to I ask that you and the rest of this chamber join Wednesday, October 30, 2019 due to a busi- recognize the retirement of Dr. Vivianne me in congratulating Dr. Wersel on a job well ness call I was unable to vote on H.R. 2181, Cisneros Wersel. done. VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:21 Nov 01, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A31OC8.010 E31OCPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with REMARKS October 31, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1385 CONGRATULATING SERGEANT ‘‘We Serve’’, the Lions Club offers their serv- stability. Individuals and families need to feel CARL COATS ON HIS RETIRE- ices to anyone that needs help with a project. safe when they leave their homes and go to MENT FROM THE POLICE DE- With over 8,000 hours of volunteer service in work. PARTMENT OF GRAPEVINE, 2019, the Golden Lions continue to make a The steps that Prime Minister Modi and the TEXAS positive impact within the community. From Parliament have taken are needed, they’re constructing public bathrooms and pavilions to good for the long-term stability of the region, HON. KENNY MARCHANT providing eyeglasses and scholarships to and they should be applauded. OF TEXAS school children; where there’s a need, there’s f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a Lion. Through funding efforts, engaging vol- FULL UTILIZATION OF THE HARBOR unteers in community projects, and supporting MAINTENANCE TRUST FUND ACT Thursday, October 31, 2019 local schools and students, the Lions Club has Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise committed to making the City of Golden a bet- SPEECH OF today to congratulate Sergeant Carl Coats on ter place to live, work, and play. his well-earned retirement from the Grapevine I congratulate the Golden Lions Club for re- HON.