October 28, 2013 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1581 would be the design and construction man- as it celebrates its third year of providing out- of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor to cele- agement of physical improvements to the Buf- standing medical care through its ‘‘Star Pro- brate 75 years of love and commitment. Mar- falo waterfront areas to create private and gram.’’ riages like the Heselmeyers are the founda- public sector recreational and commercial de- The Richmond Area Health Center is a Fed- tions of one of our most cherished institutions velopment along the Lake Erie shoreline. erally Qualified Healthcare Center site, pro- and give us all an ideal to which we can as- Fortunately, we won that settlement and in viding primary care to 3,500 people in a medi- pire. They make both Texas and our nation 2007 the Erie Canal Harbor Development Cor- cally underserved community. The Health strong. Erika and I, who will celebrate a half poration was created. Since that time, ECHDC Center has worked over the last several years century of marriage in a few years, congratu- has taken an aggressive approach to water- to improve health outcomes and lowers costs late Willie and Elda on 75 years together and front development and is credited with remark- by inspiring individuals to change their life- wish them the best in the years to come. able projects along Buffalo’s Inner and Outer styles. The Health Center’s ‘‘Star Program’’ in- Harbors that are reinvigorating our city and corporates healthy lifestyle strategies and affir- f residents and visitors alike. mations into every primary care visit to im- HONORING THE 20TH ANNIVER- ECHDC is responsible for the work on the prove patients’ health and well-being. SARY OF THE BLACK MEN OF Erie Canal Redevelopment Project, which revi- This no-cost program has helped approxi- LABOR talized 12.5 acres of idle waterfront space into mately 900 patients collectively lose more than a highly trafficked downtown destination now 11,000 pounds. By helping patients make life- known as Canalside. This site incorporates style changes, the team at Richmond Area HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND historic elements of the original Erie Canal Healthcare Center has been able to reduce OF LOUISIANA and celebrates Buffalo’s role as the western the number of medications it prescribes and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES end of the canal. diagnostic tests it orders. The Health Center’s Monday, October 28, 2013 model of lowering costs and empowering pa- The Corporation has successfully managed Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today tients is now serving as a model for several development of 23 acres at the Inner Harbor to honor the Black Men of Labor as they cele- similar programs throughout the state of for public, commercial and mixed uses. brate 20 years of service in preserving art and Maine. ECHDC oversaw demolition of the Buffalo Me- culture in the city of New Orleans. On October 18, 2013, the Richmond Area morial Auditorium, ongoing construction of his- The Black Men of Labor was established in Health Center celebrated three years of ex- torically aligned canals to be used as unique 1993 by musicians Fred J. Johnson Jr., Benny ceptional healthcare by hosting a reception water features and public ice staking destina- Jones Sr., and Gregory Stafford. For the past with patients and members of the greater tions, and improvements to the public land- twenty years, they have honored the contribu- community. I am delighted to recognize the scape including a vibrant central wharf at tions of African American men in the work accomplishments of this dedicated team of Canalside that accommodates large concerts, place while promoting and preserving tradi- healthcare workers and look forward to their public markets, and hundreds of other popular tional jazz music. events throughout the year. continued success in the years to come. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratu- Rooted in the historic neighborhood of As a result of the groundwork laid by Treme, America’s oldest African American ECHDC, work is now underway on lating the Richmond Area Health Center on three years of exceptional patient care. community, these men celebrate their West HARBORcenter, an over $170 million private African heritage with yearly parades through- f sector investment on the Webster block that out the streets of New Orleans. builds off of the success of Canalside. HONORING WILLIE HESELMEYER I want to commend the Black Men of Labor Thanks to the hard work of the ECHDC, we AND ELDA ZEPLIN for their commitment to preserving the living, now have increased business and recreational breathing birthright of the city of New Orleans, activity on the Inner and Outer Harbors includ- jazz music. Through our triumphs and trage- ing 1,000 feet of boat dock installments at HON. JOHN R. CARTER OF TEXAS dies, it is our rich legacy in the arts that keeps Canalside, two new restaurants, the develop- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES us grounded as a community. Organizations ment of Wilkeson Pointe, a 20 acre parcel of Monday, October 28, 2013 like the Black Men of Labor are at the core of parkland on the Outer Harbor among many this commitment. other public access improvements and amen- Mr. CARTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to On Sunday, October 20th, the streets once ities. Given ECHDC’s record of accomplish- celebrate the lasting love and commitment of again came alive to the sound of music as the ment in the waterfront development business, two great Texans. Black Men of Labor celebrated their 20th anni- the Corporation was recently entrusted with On November 2, 1938 millions of Americans versary. I want to join the New Orleans com- devising a plan for the future use of approxi- recalled the thrilling race the day before be- munity in celebrating their contributions. mately 130 acres of Outer Harbor lands. tween thoroughbreds Seabiscuit and War Ad- In 1987, the United States Congress des- Mr. Speaker, the Erie Canal Harbor Devel- miral. Others were still recovering from Orson ignated jazz as a rare and valuable national opment Corporation has worked tirelessly in Welles’ legendary War of the Worlds radio treasure to which we should devote our atten- their mission to revitalize the City of Buffalo’s broadcast from the previous weekend. tion, support, and resources to make sure it is Willie Heselmeyer and Elda Zeplin of Taylor, Inner and Outer Harbor areas and restore preserved, understood and promulgated. TX had bigger things on their minds. They economic growth to Western New York. The Today, I echo that sentiment and applaud were joining hands at the Prince of Peace Lu- region has benefited from the leadership and these men for their dedication to empowering theran Church (founded by Elda’s family in innovative vision of the Corporation, its staff their communities through music and the arts. and Board of Directors. I ask that my col- 1894) to become husband and wife. leagues join me in recognizing the Erie Canal 75 years later, they still walk together hand f Harbor Development Corporation for their in hand. Willie, with Elda constantly by his OUR UNCONSCIONABLE NATIONAL dedication to Western New York and con- side, worked the land as a cotton, corn, and DEBT gratulate them in receiving the Stewardship milo farmer. They brought two sons into the Award from the Amherst Chamber of Com- world and were united through feast and fam- merce. ine. Together they witnessed their nation’s HON. MIKE COFFMAN f brave soldiers defend freedom on foreign OF COLORADO shores, watched a humble midwesterner take IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONORING THE 3RD ANNIVERSARY mankind’s first steps on another world, and Monday, October 28, 2013 OF RICHMOND AREA HEALTH marveled at technological advances beyond CENTER’S STAR PROGRAM any of their dreams. Mr. COFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, on January What began in 1938 continues strong into a 20, 2009, the day President Obama took of- HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD new millennium. Willie and Elda still live inde- fice, the national debt was OF MAINE pendently in their home on their farm east of $10,626,877,048,913.08. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Taylor. They play dominoes with friends nearly Today, it is $17,087,891,889,205.15. We’ve every day. Family and faith remain at the cen- added $6,461,014,840,292.07 to our debt in 4 Monday, October 28, 2013 ter of their happy life together. years. This is $5 trillion in debt our nation, our Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Willie and Elda will gather this November economy, and our children could have avoided recognize the Richmond Area Health Center with friends and family at the Fellowship Hall with a balanced budget amendment. VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:15 Oct 29, 2013 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K28OC8.006 E28OCPT1 pwalker on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS E1582 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 28, 2013 RECOGNIZING PEOPLE INC. AS RE- continued devoting herself to volunteer work replied: ‘‘Mama always said that if it can’t rain CIPIENT OF THE 2013 THE with the Arc of the Glades, American Cancer on you, you’re indoors.’’ HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES Society and Visiting Nurse Association. In ad- Oail Andrew Phillips was born on Sep- AWARD dition, she is also the longtime president of the tember 29, 1923, in Orange, Texas, the son of General Federation of Women’s Club of Belle a truck driver, also named Oail, which is pro- HON. BRIAN HIGGINS Glade. nounced ‘‘Awl.’’ He got his nickname when his OF NEW YORK Over the course of her life, she has earned younger sister, Edrina, tried to say ‘‘brother,’’ only to have it come out as ‘‘bumble’’ and later IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the love and respect of her fellow residents of Belle Glade and people throughout the Glades ‘‘bum.’’ In recounting the story, Bum remarked, Monday, October 28, 2013 area.