May 18, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E665 United States House of Representatives join IN RECOGNITION OF SARA the importance of brotherhood. Two years me in congratulating him on a successful ca- ABLARD later, Specialist Stevens deployed to Afghani- reer and in wishing him nothing but the best stan where he was stationed at Combat Out- in his retirement. HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK post Zerok. In support of Operation Enduring OF VIRGINIA Freedom, Specialist Stevens and his infantry f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES unit were responsible for guard duty and com- bat patrols. Stevens’ valor and leadership led Thursday, May 18, 2017 COMMEMORATING PHYLLIS him to serve as a decorated hero receiving the SCHLAFLY AND HER WORK ON Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I am hon- Afghanistan Campaign medal with Campaign BEHALF OF INVENTORS AND ored to use this time to recognize an out- Star, Army Commendation Medal, NATO THE U.S. PATENT SYSTEM standing constituent in Virginia’s 10th District, Medal, and the Combat Infantryman’ s badge. Sara Ablard, who has had an incredible im- Currently a veteran, Stevens continues to pact on increasing awareness for children with serve members of his community in East Peo- HON. DAVE BRAT cleft palates and cleft lips. Working closely ria, Illinois. As a proud father, he raises his with the Smile Train, an organization that two girls, Kirstin and Madison, and teaches his OF VIRGINIA helps cover the $250 surgery for infants with daughters the same lessons learned while IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the birth defect known as cleft lip or cleft pal- serving aside his Army brothers at Fort Riley: ate, Ms. Ablard founded the Sadie’s Smile loyalty, duty, respect, and honor. In addition, Thursday, May 18, 2017 Foundation in honor of her daughter Sadie Stevens volunteers with the Habitat for Hu- who passed away six years ago during a roller manity Greater Peoria Area where commu- Mr. BRAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemo- skating accident. nities come together to build homes for vet- rate an outstanding conservative leader with Ms. Ablard always remembers Sadie’s erans and military families. whom I had the privilege of working with and beautiful smile and her compassion for other Specialist James Stevens is an American learning from over my political career: Phyllis children. One day while walking through Dul- hero, who has dutifully served his nation and Schlafly. Her efforts advocating for America’s les Town Center, Sadie saw a poster of a boy continues to proudly serve his family and com- inventors and the patent system that protects with a cleft palate and was intrigued and curi- munity. Thanks to Specialist Stevens for his their inventions will be highlighted at an up- ous as to how she might be able to help him service and sacrifice. This country is blessed to have servicemen, like James Stevens, who coming event of the Eagle Forum Education & and others. That Christmas, Sadie and Ms. Ablard asked for donations instead of pre- selflessly devoted their careers to protecting Legal Defense Fund entitled ‘‘Phyllis Schlafly: this country. We owe him a debt that can Celebrating an Untiring Advocate of Inventors sents, and they were able to raise $500, which fully funded two surgeries for infants with cleft never be repaid. and the Economic Freedom to Invent.’’ There- f fore, I wish to add a word commemorating the palates and lips. Sadie truly wanted to give others the contribution of this bold patriot who was an in- HONORING THE TOUGALOO COL- chance to smile, as she once did so brightly dispensable force to our great nation’s suc- LEGE/DELTA HEALTHPARTNERS and proudly, and when she passed away, Ms. HEALTHY START INITIATIVE cess. Ablard made it her life goal to preserve America has long been a haven for innova- Sadie’s legacy through helping others. She HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON tions in the marketplace. Through the years, started the Sadie’s Smile Foundation, which, OF MISSISSIPPI American inventors have looked to Article I, this year, is hosting its 6th Annual 5K & Kids IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fun Run for Smile Train, with the goal of rais- Section 8 of our U.S. Constitution and its Thursday, May 18, 2017 power vested in Congress to protect creators’ ing $478,250, signifying $250 for each day her Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speak- ‘‘exclusive Right to their respective Writings daughter was alive and smiling. The 5K and Fun Run not only increase awareness and er, I rise today to honor a remarkable public and Discoveries.’’ As a result, America has raise money for the Smile Train organization, health program designed to reduce infant mor- held the distinction of being a global leader in but the event also helps us all remember tality in the Mississippi Delta, the Tougaloo cutting-edge innovations and novel inventions. Sadie and bring the community together. College/Delta HealthPartners Healthy Start Ini- Phyllis Schlafly recognized this vital part of Mr. Speaker, I now ask that my colleagues tiative. our free enterprise system and was a strong join me in recognizing Sara Ablard’s heroic ac- This initiative is one of the 100 Healthy Start voice on behalf of American inventors. She tions and the memory of her beloved daugh- Initiatives throughout the nation working end- lessly to give every child a healthy start in life. was quick to praise the American patent sys- ter, Sadie. Individuals, like Sara, who over- come terrible tragedies in their own lives and The Delta HealthPartners’ Healthy Start pro- tem, which was unique when the Founding gram is housed under the auspices of Fathers put it into the U.S. Constitution and is go on to help others, truly make me proud to serve Virginia’s 10th District, and today, we Tougaloo College within the George A. and still unique today. She decried other nations honor and celebrate her contributions to our Ruth B. Owens Health and Wellness Center, that advance themselves by stealing American community and to those less fortunate. I wish under the direction of Dr. Sandra Carr Hayes, designs while clutching to inferior patent sys- Sara all the best in her future endeavors. the executive director. The program serves a tems that punish inventors and stymie f rural population in a seven county area in the progress. Mississippi Delta (Tunica, Coahoma, Quitman, RECOGNIZING SPECIALIST JAMES Phyllis Schlafly understood that the superi- Tallahatchie, Sunflower, Bolivar, and Wash- STEVENS’ SERVICE ington counties). These counties are among ority of American ingenuity is not a matter of the poorest and most medically underserved happenstance, but the product of a bold and in Mississippi and the nation. inspired precedent set by our Founding Fa- HON. DARIN LaHOOD OF ILLINOIS The Healthy Start Initiative was imple- thers and enshrined in our Constitution. Only IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES mented in 1999 with funding from the Health through patent protection, the right to private Resources and Services Administration under property, and the free market can America Thursday, May 18, 2017 the leadership of Dr. Beverly W. Hogan, who motivate inventors to stretch the boundaries of Mr. LAHOOD. Mr. Speaker, today, I would now serves as President of Tougaloo College. what is possible and create the products that like to honor Specialist James Stevens as he Today, Ms. Arletha Howard serves as the increase productivity, save time, and save selflessly defended our nation. project director. Ms. Howard is a registered lives every day. From the traffic light and GPS A native of Knoxville, Iowa, Specialist Ste- nurse with over 28 years of experience in on- navigation, to the microwave oven and the vens grew up playing with ‘‘GI Joe’’ action fig- cology, burn trauma, intensive care unit, pedi- Internet, every American has benefitted from ures and watching war movies, dreaming that atrics, home health, maternal and child health. one day he too would become a soldier. In She has worked with the Healthy Start Initia- our unique patent system. 2010, James enlisted in the U.S. Army and tive for 16 years. In 2014, under Mrs. How- For more than seventy years, Phyllis then graduated from Infantry School at Fort ard’s leadership, the Healthy Start Initiative Schlafly was a tireless advocate for our patent Benning, Georgia, achieving his childhood was upgraded from a Level I individual based system. I am proud to honor her and the many dream. During his time at Infantry School, program to a Level II community based pro- inventors she fought to protect. James learned how to defend this nation and gram. VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:47 May 19, 2017 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A18MY8.019 E18MYPT1 SSpencer on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E666 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 18, 2017 Since its inception, the Healthy Start Initia- Fredericksburg Community School in 1976. any in the county at the time . .’’ Also, the tive has provided case management services Lynn taught as she continued her own edu- exterior decoration was reported to be ‘‘more through a home visiting model to: (1) high-risk cation, She completed her Masters of Arts in elaborate than that on most rural churches of pregnant women of childbearing age 10–44 Elementary Special Education at Northwest the period.’’ years, (2) their infants; and (3) fathers/co-par- Missouri State University in 1998 and later her Needing more space for a growing disciple- ents. Certificate of Advanced Studies in Education ship, in 1963 under the leadership of Dr. Sam- Over the past 16 years, the program has Administration and her Principal Endorsement uel Moss Carter, the twelfth pastor who served achieved several major accomplishments: The at Iowa State University.