May 9, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E893 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS TRIBUTE TO NURSES AT class 1A parade at the Missouri Day Parade nomic parity. Because the Urban League’s WOODLAND TERRACE in 2002, 1st place in the class 1A Parade at goal is to eliminate the barriers of racism and Central Missouri State University Homecoming level the economic playing field, her work in- HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE in 2002, 2nd place in the class 1A parade at cludes employment and training programs; OF FLORIDA Northwest Missouri State University home- after school programs; parent empowerment coming in 2002, and 1st place in the Chil- programs; and adult and youth leadership de- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES licothe Christmas Parade in 2002. velopment. Thursday, May 8, 2003 Many students have dedicated their time Sheila is also active with many other local Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. and effort to making the band the accom- organizations, serving on the Health Founda- Speaker, I rise today in honor of the nurses at plished organization that it is. I commend the tion; Cincinnati CAN (Community Action Now); the Woodland Terrace Nursing Home in my time and dedication these students have put Advocates for Youth Education; and the Cin- home District of Florida. forth being a part of this wonderful after school cinnati Chapter of Links, Inc. She has been As you all know, this is national nurses activity while also working hard at their stud- honored as a Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of week and I am privileged to speak on behalf ies. Marisa Fultz, Drum Major and Field Com- the Year; a Great Rivers Girl Scouts Woman of the many talented nurses at Woodland Ter- mander and Brenna Hicks, Assistant Drum of Distinction; and a University of Cincinnati race. The Fifth District of Florida, and in fact Major have worked very hard to ensure that Notable Black Alumni. the entire State of Florida, has a large and the band performs at it’s best. All of us in Cincinnati have benefitted from growing population of senior citizens. I firmly Additionally, the band has received a great Sheila Adams’ service. We congratulate her believe that seniors are one of our nation’s deal of support from the education community, on this well deserved and distinguished award most valuable assets. We will be judged on including the Board of Education, Mrs. Marla from NCCJ. how well we care for our seniors. Barnes, President of the Board of Education, f The nurses at Woodland Terrace have not Mr. Gerald Snodgrass, Superintendent, Mr. KEEPING THE PROMISE TO OUR shied away from this important responsibility. I Robert Newhart, Polo High School Principal, DISABLED VETERANS continue to be impressed with the quality of Ms. Beverly McQueen, Elementary School care at Woodland Terrace; a standard which Principal, and the band boosters led by presi- is largely attributable to the nurses who work dent Darrin Hicks. HON. BOB FILNER there. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in OF CALIFORNIA At a time when many analysts are predicting commending the Polo High School Marching IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES a nursing shortage in the near future, it is crit- Panther Pride Band. The band is a primary Thursday, May 8, 2003 ical that the nursing workforce be given proper example of educational excellence in North Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I commendation for continual hard work and Missouri and in their community. I wish them rise to call the attention of the House to three dedication to what can seem like a thank-less the best of luck at the Gator Bowl! bills that I have introduced to address con- profession. With that, I offer my most sincere f cerns of our nation’s disabled veterans. Each thank you to the nurses at Woodland Terrace of the bills was introduced in response to re- SHEILA J. ADAMS HONORED BY for a job well done! quests from veterans all across the nation. THE GREATER CINCINNATI f H.R. 1919 will authorize transportation on CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL military aircraft on a space-available basis for HONORING THE POLO HIGH CONFERENCE FOR COMMUNITY veterans with a service-connected disability SCHOOL MARCHING PANTHER AND JUSTICE rated at 50% or more. Currently, members PRIDE BAND and retirees of the uniformed services and the HON. ROB PORTMAN reserves may travel free on Department of De- HON. SAM GRAVES OF OHIO fense (DoD) aircraft when space is available. OF MISSOURI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES This benefit is allowed when it does not inter- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thursday, May 8, 2003 fere with military missions and is a recognition Thursday, May 8, 2003 of military careers filled with rigorous duty. Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay But present policies do not extend this ben- Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause tribute to Sheila J. Adams, a friend and con- efit to our disabled veterans. What more rig- to recognize the Polo High School Marching stituent, who will be honored by the Greater orous duty can be imagined than to become Panther Pride Band from Caldwell County, Cincinnati Chapter of the National Conference disabled in the service of our country? Why Missouri. The band, comprised of 7th through for Community and Justice (NCCJ) at NCCJ’s has the DoD chosen not to recognize the 12th grade students, has had many significant 75th Anniversary Dinner on May 22, 2003. brave men and women who sacrificed their accomplishments in the last year. Most re- NCCJ, founded in 1927 as the National Con- health and well-being while serving in uni- cently, the band has been honored with an in- ference of Christians and Jews, is a human form? This DoD policy is wrong, and H.R. vitation to play at the 2003 Toyota Gator Bowl relations organization dedicated to fighting 1919 would correct it. in Jacksonville, Florida. I, along with Polo High bias, bigotry and racism through under- This bill would cost the federal government School students and administrators, are proud standing and respect among all races, reli- nothing, and adding disabled veterans would of the band’s successes. gions and cultures. not interfere with benefits for active-duty per- The band has worked very hard in competi- Sheila was selected to be honored by NCCJ sonnel. Current military is always given pri- tion to establish a reputation of marching ex- because, as one person noted, ‘‘She’s been ority, and H.R. 1919 would do nothing to cellence over the last two school years, which involved, she’s been active, she’s led. She’s change that. What my bill would do is to allow was a pre-requisite for their acceptance in the gone from success to significance. Success is seats that would otherwise go unused to be 2003 Gator Bowl Parade. Additionally, the about you, but significance is about what occupied by men and women who have been band has been acknowledged for many out- you’ve done for others.’’ And Sheila has con- disabled in their service to their nation. standing achievements including 2nd place in sistently done a lot for others. Two other bills, H.R. 1917 and H.R. 1918, the class 1A parade at Carollton Band Day in For over thirty years, Sheila has been a would also allow veterans with service-con- 2001, 1st place in the class 1A parade at human relations professional. As president nected disabilities to use military facilities. CMC Band Day in 2001, 1st place in class 1A and chief executive officer of the Cincinnati The DoD provides Morale, Welfare, and at the Northwest Missouri State University Urban League since 1990, Sheila oversees Recreation (MWR) programs to bring some of Homecoming Flag Corps in 2002, the color programs and services that help African Amer- the benefits of civilian life to military commu- guard competition in 2001, 1st place in the icans and others to achieve social and eco- nities. These programs are the cornerstone of ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Jan 31 2003 05:50 May 10, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A08MY8.001 E09PT1 E894 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 9, 2003 community quality of life, providing for fitness, sources in planning for this event. May God’s to the health center and the citizens of Clay recreation, libraries, sports and athletic pro- blessings shine upon them and all that they County. grams. DoD considers MWR programs as crit- have done, and may God bless this special Richard is well known among his staff and ical to mission readiness and productivity— celebration. the citizens of Clay County for taking the initia- these programs contribute to physical fitness f tive to make positive change in their commu- and recruitment and retention of personnel. nity. He interacts on many levels with the peo- In addition, civilian employees and their TRIBUTE TO JUDGE BURRELL ple he comes in contact with and maintains families are allowed access as a perk of their MERRITT the highest degree of professionalism and employee benefit package. Other groups, such honesty. He prides himself on the hard work as the Scouts of America, can also utilize the HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE and dedication he has displayed over the past lands by getting special permission. In con- OF FLORIDA two decades.