E2432 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 23, 2003 served as president of the Florida Association dependent children of veterans with perma- mittee, I strongly support strengthening bene- of Colleges and Universities and chairman of nent total disabilities, or who have died as a fits for our Nation’s veterans, who have fought the Independent Colleges and Universities. As result of combat. so bravely to protect our country. I support the a testament to her dedication to education, Among the housing benefits in the bill is a passage of H.R. 2297 and look forward to four Florida universities: Holy Cross College, provision allowing remarried surviving spouses continuing work in the House Veterans’ Affairs University of Miami, Rollins College, and Lynn of veterans to be buried next to the veteran in Committee to support our Nation’s heroes. University, have conferred honorary degrees a national cemetery, based on the original f on Sister Jeanne, making her one of the most marriage. A prohibition on remarried spouses respected and loved educators in Florida’s his- burial eligibility is unfair to many of the dedi- LET’S GO LANCERS tory. cated spouses who have faithfully supported Sister Jeanne has also been an advocate of their veterans for years. I was a cosponsor of HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY revitalizing South Florida’s economy. South the original bill for this measure and support OF MASSACHUSETTS Florida’s power elite noticed her qualities and its passage. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES dedication and named Sister the first female The section of the bill relating to benefits for Friday, November 21, 2003 member of two exclusive groups: The Orange former Prisoners of War contains a provision Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, while the Bos- Bowl Committee and the Non-Group. The Or- that will add cirrhosis of the liver to the list of ton Red Sox failed to finally capture a World ange Bowl Committee is a group of dedicated, presumed service-connected disabilities for Series victory that has eluded them since South Florida volunteers, who are committed former POWs. It also eliminates the unfair re- 1918, another group of Hardball Heroes from to bringing tourism to South Florida through quirement that a POW must be held for at Red Sox Nation did achieve their ultimate the annual college football game. Now, one of least 30 days to qualify for presumption of goal. The Malden Catholic Lancers defied all the four most prestigious college football bowl service-connection for certain disabilities, such expectations, overcame every obstacle, and games in America, the Orange Bowl festivities as psychoses and states of anxiety. We owe defeated every opponent to finish the year as bring in an excess of 150,000 visitors every it to our former POWs to repay them for what Massachusetts Division One State Cham- year, which contribute to a thriving South Flor- they have been through as much as we pos- pions. ida economy. sibly can, and this provision is a step in that While Red Sox fans will have to wait until Despite all her dedication and hard work, direction. next year yet again, the Lancers fans can re- even Sister Jeanne is susceptible to illness Yet another beneficial provision in this bill is joice and celebrate the success of this young and in 1996, Sister was diagnosed with lung the extension for six years of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. As a rep- team of schoolyard superstars. cancer. However, even this disease could not Mr. Speaker, today I join with faculty, stu- stop her determination. Following disclosing resentative in a state with over 9,000 Native American veterans, and with over 17,200 His- dents, my fellow alumni, and all members of publicly her illness, Sister helped raise aware- the Malden Catholic community who are say- ness and funds for the American Cancer Soci- panic veterans in my district alone, I fully sup- port this provision and believe it is a nec- ing congratulations! ety. It was Coach Stephen Freker’s guidance essary step to the continued service to all mi- Mr. Speaker, as a fellow lung cancer sur- and leadership that fueled these young men nority veterans. vivor, I know how difficult life seems after as they drove to the championship. The Na- being diagnosed with such a terrible illness. Another provision in the bill provides federal contracting officials the discretionary authority tional High School Baseball Coach’s Associa- For Sister Jeanne to continue her work like tion affirmed what we knew all along by nam- this is an inspiration to every cancer patient to award sole source contracts to small busi- nesses owned by service-disabled veterans. I ing Coach Freker New England’s Coach of the and survivor in America. I am also grateful to Year. Sister for her thoughts and prayers during my am pleased that the Senate took out the ‘‘not- withstanding any other provision of law’’ These Lancers worked hard, practiced long, illness earlier this year. and gave their hearts and souls for the blue Sister Jeanne is a dear friend, and someone phrase that was in the original version of H.R. 1460, from which the language for this provi- and gold all year long. While they are great in- I am truly proud to know and love. Sister dividual players, their true greatness lies in Jeanne’s vision continues. Her love for Barry sion of H.R. 2297 was taken. The language in- cluded in the original version of H.R. 1460 their ability to play as team. and South Florida is evident evermore. Under Mr. Speaker, this was our year. was very harmful to the 8(a) small business Sister Jeanne’s supervision, Barry University Let’s Go Lancers! is attempting the largest construction project in contract program, a program that benefits mi- f Miami Shores history. Nearly $18 million will nority-owned small businesses all across this bring a new student center and residence hall country. As a member of both the House Vet- IN RECOGNITION OF THE GLEN- to accommodate the growing student popu- erans’ Affairs Committee and House Small DALE GENERAL RICHARD lation, which Sister Jeanne has pushed to Business Committee I worked to forge a suit- GRIDLEY CHAPTER OF THE grow and expand ever since she took office. able compromise that would ensure increased DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN Mr. Speaker, as Chairman of Florida’s Con- contracting opportunities for veteran-owned REVOLUTION gressional Delegation, I salute Sister Jeanne small businesses, while not harming the 8(a) O’Laughlin for her 22 years as President of program that has helped provide economic op- HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF Barry University. May God bless Sister Jeanne portunity for minority entrepreneurs. With the OF CALIFORNIA O’Laughlin. help of the Chairmen and Ranking Members IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES f of both committees, we were able to unani- mously pass an amended version of H.R. Friday, November 21, 2003 H.R. 2297, VETERANS BENEFITS 1460. Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ACT OF 2003 Unfortunately the unanimously passed congratulate the General Gridley Chapter of version of H.R. 1460 is not what is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution on SPEECH OF H.R. 2297 today, but neither is the originally their 90th anniversary celebration. HON. TOM UDALL damaging language of H.R. 1460 included in Mrs. Mary Howard Gridley Braly founded OF NEW MEXICO this bill. I do have remaining concerns about the chapter on December 19, 1913. Mrs. Braly IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the effect of the included contracting provision served as an organizing regent, and was later on the 8(a) and other small business pro- named Regent-For-Life by Chapter members. Thursday, November 20, 2003 grams, but considering the numerous impor- Mrs. Braly and her daughter first became Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, tant provisions for our nation’s veterans con- members of the National Society of D.A.R. in H.R. 2297, the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, tained in this bill, I will vote in favor. 1983 in Highland Park, Illinois. Then recording contains myriad benefits for our nation’s vet- In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say that I Secretary General Miss Eugenia Washington, erans, many of which are long overdue. The strongly support increased opportunities for one of the D.A.R. founders, signed their appli- bill builds on education benefits by expanding veteran entrepreneurs. In fact, with the sup- cations. the Montgomery GI Bill program, a successful port of Congresswoman SUE KELLY, I recently The chapter is named for General Richard program that will now include educational as- introduced H.R. 3483, the Seeds for Soldiers Gridley, ancestor of Mary’s first husband sistance for on the job training in certain self- Act, to establish a loan program and a voca- James Conger Gridley. General Gridley was employment programs. It also increases tional rehabilitation program for veterans. As a born in Boston in 1711. In 1745 he was com- monthly educational benefits for spouses and member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Com- missioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Artillery in VerDate jul 14 2003 02:16 Nov 24, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A21NO8.150 E23PT1 November 23, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2433 the expedition against the French fortress of While Mr. Hodges most certainly leaves be- tion—this hydro facility can continue to oper- Louisbourg of Cape Breton Island. At the out- hind an amazing personal and military history, ate unencumbered. break of the Revolutionary War in April 1775, I must say that in my opinion, the most signifi- Mr.