E1984 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks November 18, 2010 THE SOCIAL SECURITY WIDOWS ognize the recipients of the 2010 Volunteer of Spencer Disher was born in Darlington, AND SPOUSAL PROTECTION ACT the Year Awards. South Carolina, and graduated as Salutatorian NOVACO is committed to helping homeless of his class at Mayo High School. He earned HON. CHELLIE PINGREE victims of domestic violence become healthy, a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry OF MAINE secure, and self-sufficient. Victims of domestic from South Carolina State College, now Uni- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES violence often feel that they have no safe versity, and entered Meharry Medical College place to turn. Fear, financial uncertainty, and in Nashville in 1956. Following graduation, he Thursday, November 18, 2010 the feeling of isolation often imprison these trained for a year at Kate B. Reynolds Hospital Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Madam Speaker, I victims in abusive environments. When a vic- and served two years in the U.S. Army. While am here today to introduce a bill that address- tim breaks free, he or she can too easily end serving as an Army Captain, Dr. Disher was es a serious problem that affects many retired up homeless and alone. the Chief Physician for the Pentathlon athletes federal and state employees in Maine and Domestic violence affects every racial, eth- on the U.S. Olympic Team. across the nation. nic, and socio-economic group. Many of us In 1963, Dr. Disher returned to South Caro- Public servants have performed incredibly know a friend, neighbor, or family member lina and began his medical practice in Orange- important services for their communities and who has been victimized. More than 15 million burg. He has also served as the college physi- country, but sadly many are being driven into children in the United States live in families in cian at Voorhees College, Denmark Technical poverty because of the Government Pension which partner violence occurred at least once College and Claflin University, where he cur- Offset, GPO. Of the 5,300 workers in Maine in the past year. Each day, 3 women die as rently serves as Medical Director of Student subject to this provision, 3,700 lose all of their a result of domestic violence. More than 1 in Health Services. He also holds the position of Social Security widows or spousal benefits to 4 women will be the victim of domestic abuse State Grand Medical Director for the Masons the GPO. I just don’t think that’s fair for people in her lifetime; more than 3 of 4 Americans of South Carolina. who have devoted years to public service. know someone who has been victimized. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Disher The effects of the current Government Pen- For more than a decade NOVACO has pro- has been very involved in organizations that sion Offset formula are most dramatic on vided critical services to homeless families support and advance the profession. He has lower income women—79% of beneficiaries who have escaped domestic abuse and who served as the Chair of the Grants and Pro- posal Committee of the Board of Trustees of affected by the GPO are women. After raising are seeking to rebuild their lives and become the National Medical Association, and is a their families and serving the public, these self-sufficient. Assistance is provided in many member of South Carolina Board of Medical women are devastated by losing most or all of areas including transitional and permanent Examiners. He was the Chief of Staff at The their Social Security benefits after the already housing, counseling, childcare, education, job Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg. For overwhelming loss of their spouses to death or training, and life skills classes. Through the ro- divorce. eleven years, Dr. Disher served as chair of the bust support of area businesses and church- Executive Board of the Palmetto State Medical The legislation I am proposing is targeted at es, NOVACO has grown into a leader in lifting out of poverty those hardest hit by the Dental Pharmaceutical Association, PMDPA. breaking the cycle of domestic violence. He also served as president of the PMDPA in GPO. It would eliminate the GPO for bene- NOVACO has initiated a number of innova- ficiaries whose combined monthly pension and 1975. He chaired the Public Health and Con- tive programs that have resulted in significant sumer Affairs Committee of the National Med- Social Security widows or spousal benefits be- advancements for those in need. Their ‘‘Good fore offset is less than half the maximum So- ical Association, NMA, for over a decade. Neighbor’’ program connects client families Dr. Disher is currently a member of the cial Security benefit. Others would see a grad- with sponsors to assist them in transitioning to Meharry Medical College Board of Trustees, uated Government Pension Offset. Under this self sufficiency. Through the financial manage- and has been a staunch advocate of the formula, no one would see a reduction in their ment courses, women have learned how to school. Two of his sons have graduated from Social Security benefits and those in the lower manage their financial affairs, addressing one Meharry. He has established the Spencer C. incomes would have benefits raised to a liv- of the most daunting aspects of escaping do- Disher, Jr., M.D. Endowed Scholarship to en- able rate. mestic abuse. able students from South Carolina to pursue I am pleased that the legislation has earned NOVACO is strengthened by the dedication their dream of studying for Medical, Dental or the support of both the Maine Education Asso- of its volunteers. I am honored to recognize a Doctorate Degree in the Biomedical ciation and the Maine State Employees Asso- the following 2010 Volunteers of the Year: Sciences at Meharry Medical College. ciation. Lorraine Noel, President of the Maine Volunteer of the Year: Joen Schultz Dr. Disher has been recognized by many or- Federation of Chapters for the National Active Volunteer Group of the Year: Gracing ganizations including Alpha Phi Alpha and and Retired Federal Employees Association, Spaces Omega Psi Phi Fraternities. He is a member states, ‘‘This legislation is a good first step in Volunteer Business of the Year: Brookfield of the New Mount Zion Baptist Church. In ad- addressing the injustices caused by the Gov- Homes dition to his many professional affiliations, he ernment Pension Offset.’’ Outstanding Community Support Award: is a 33rd Degree Mason, a Shriner, and a Make no mistake, I remain committed to King of Kings Lutheran Church member of the NAACP. Dr. Disher is married completely repealing the GPO and the Wind- Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues to the former Annette Moorer, and is the father fall Elimination Provision, and have cospon- join me in recognizing NOVACO, its volun- of eight children. sored a bill to do so. But in a struggling econ- teers and other supporters for their tireless Madam Speaker, I ask you and my col- omy, measures to overturn these offsets are work on behalf of so many who feel stranded leagues to join me in celebrating the wonderful difficult. I hope this incremental reform will al- and powerless. NOVACO is making a dif- professional contributions of Dr. Spencer leviate the worst effects on those most dam- ference in our community, and I pledge to Disher. He has distinguished himself as doctor aged by the Government Pension Offset and continue working with NOVACO and similar who cares not only for the patient but for the bring our vulnerable public servants out of organizations to put an end to domestic community as a whole. He has been a tre- poverty. abuse. mendous leader and a consummate profes- Please join me in supporting the Social Se- f sional throughout his career, and I am proud curity Widows and Spousal Protection Act of to call him a friend. I wish him Godspeed in TRIBUTE TO SPENCER C. DISHER, 2010. We should not have someone’s years of retirement and know that he will continue to JR. M.D. public service be the cause of their poverty. play an important part in the Orangeburg com- f munity for years to come. HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN f RECOGNIZING NOVACO AND THE OF SOUTH CAROLINA RECIPIENTS OF THE 2010 VOLUN- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONORING THE REPUBLIC OF TEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS Thursday, November 18, 2010 TURKEY’S 87TH REPUBLIC DAY HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding physi- HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY OF VIRGINIA OF VIRGINIA cian and community leader as he retires and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES enters a new phase of his life. Dr. Spencer Thursday, November 18, 2010 Disher of Orangeburg, South Carolina, has Thursday, November 18, 2010 Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speak- served the medical profession and his commu- Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speak- er, I rise today to honor NOVACO and to rec- nity admirably for half a century. er, as a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus VerDate Mar 15 2010 07:21 Nov 19, 2010 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A18NO8.061 E18NOPT1 smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with REMARKS November 18, 2010 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1985 on Turkey and Turkish Americans, I would like leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, RECOGNIZING ST. AMBROSE to offer my warmest congratulations to the Bronze Star Medal with ‘‘V’’ device and two CATHOLIC SCHOOL, RECIPIENT people of Turkey, as they recently observed oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, OF THE 2010 BLUE RIBBON OF the 87th anniversary of the founding of the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force EXCELLENCE AWARD Turkish Republic on October 29.