January 6, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E29

formal presentation will take place on the Uni- health insurance. ‘I hope basically not to get that health insurance should be private (and
versity of Michigan-Flint campus on Monday, sick,’ she said with a serious look beyond her through the employer). ‘Government messes
January 10. youth. ‘Pretty much that’s it.’ ’’ Holly—Mid- everything up,’ he tells me. ‘Actually, I
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advance- dle Point, 7/4/2009 make my living fixing up government ac-
‘‘Tara, the cook at the Rooster truck stop counting troubles,’ he added. But he does be-
ment of Teaching created the ‘‘Engaged Uni- near Middle Point, Ohio, has no insurance. lieve that the healthcare system could be
versity’’ classification to acknowledge the ‘It’s just too much . . . that’s the situa- much more efficient.’’ Steve—Lima, 7/6/2009
achievements of schools throughout the tion.’ ’’ Tara—Middle Point, 7/4/2009 ‘‘Brad, the manager at the Lima Holiday
United States that have created institutional ‘‘Dee told me the story of her uncle. He had Inn, was enormously helpful and supportive
practices of community involvement. Univer- a heart attack a few years back resulting in of the Walk. When I met him, he agreed that
sities apply for the classification and are grant- cardiac surgery and a bill for $145,000. ‘Dee, it’s important to get the story out and told
I’m dying,’ he said, not clear, as Dee told me, me, ‘it is really terrible with all the unin-
ed the classification based upon their mission, sured. Even if you have insurance,’ he added,
whether he was referring to his health trou-
culture, leadership, resources and practices. bles or the financial burdens. Dee told her ‘I’ve seen how difficult it is dealing with the
The University of Michigan-Flint was able to uncle to change his diet, do yoga, lots of insurance companies.’ ’’ Brad—Lima, 7/6/2009
demonstrate the integration of curricular en- walking, and other things to improve his ‘‘With an angry look on his face, Roger
gagement, outreach, the exchange of knowl- lifestyle and health. And so he heeded her told me very clearly that does not like the
edge, and partnerships, with the larger com- advice and actually, to do these things, went Obama plan at all. But he also doesn’t like
munity to the benefit of both groups. The back to India. Returning some months later, corporate interests driving reform. ‘We do
he proudly called Dee telling her that he was need some change—it’s incredibly expensive,’
school has an established practice of honoring
healthier, no longer had diabetes, and no hy- he told me further, citing his father’s case.
faculty for their involvement, encouraging stu- He had gotten a pacemaker and defibrillator
pertension. But, he lamented, ‘I still owe
dents to extend the education process outside and, ‘Everything cost more than $200,000!’ ’’
$145,000.’ ’’ Dee—Van Wert, 7/5/2009
classroom walls, and utilizing the school’s re- ‘‘Jim drove out from Ft. Wayne (after Roger—New Stark, 7/6/2009
sources to enhance the community. hearing the news) and met up with me near ‘‘Kara’s 19 years old and had most recently
Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratu- Middle Point on his bike. We walked to- been just under her parent’s health coverage.
lating the chancellor, Dr. Ruth Person, the pro- gether for seven miles talking healthcare ‘But after nineteen, they take you off,’ she
vost, Dr. Gerard Voland, the faculty, staff, stu- and healthcare reform along with many told me, and she’s now in the process of re-
other topics. He’s a Yale grad, which goes to enrolling in her own plan. During this
dents and community for their vision, enthu- switch, she’s actually without coverage. She
siasm and commitment to this partnership. I show that even traditional rivalries can walk
together towards a common goal. He believes sighed, ‘My current job doesn’t pay enough
commend the University of Michigan-Flint for to afford insurance and then, when I’m in
in basic care for all but, as he told me, ‘the
their hard work and for receiving this classi- definition of what is basic becomes problem- college, two years from now, I’ll have to re-
fication from the Carnegie Foundation for the atic. And those that can afford more than apply.’ She’s got asthma and fibromyalgia.
Advancement of Teaching. the basic,’ he added, ‘should be able to get It’s a real problem, she told me as she’s ‘real-
ly worried’ about pre-existing conditions dis-
f it.’ ’’ Jim—Gomer, 7/5/2009
qualifying her or making her insurance too
‘‘Nancy is 60, without work and without
THE WALK FOR HEALTHCARE: health insurance. She has recently moved in expensive.’’ Kara—Lima, 7/6/2009
‘‘Kate’s insurance costs her $200/month.
HEALTHCARE STORIES FROM with her mother. She has two prescriptions
which cost her $140 a month and works odd She threw her hands up and exclaimed,
OHIO COLLECTED BY OGAN ‘That’s a car payment!’ She looked me in the
GUREL, M.D. jobs to pay for one of these. She lives one
eye and continued. ‘So, I’m 55 and no busi-
day at a time and hopes that there’ll be
ness not having insurance but I can’t afford
healthcare reform, ‘So people like me can
HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH get the prescriptions we need.’ We met on a
it.’ She told me about her carpal tunnel syn-
OF OHIO drome, that she had had a mild stroke and a
porch in Gomer (she was helping to clean up
nagging rotator cuff injury. For the rotator
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES someone’s home) where she brought me some
cuff, she can’t afford the MRI. ‘Actually,’ she
Thursday, January 6, 2011 juice. Here she is on the roadside near Lima,
added, ‘HCAP, a state program, can take
later that afternoon, bringing me a glass of
Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I submit the care of the actual MRI but not the reading.
water as she was driving to her mother’s
following stories, collected by Dr. Ogan Gurel. So,’ she said with a sigh, ‘I can’t afford it.’
place.’’ Nancy—Gomer, 7/5/2009 Her husband doesn’t have health insurance
‘‘Jean doesn’t want socialized medicine. ‘‘Gloria’s husband died three years ago.
either. ‘He’s got two bulging discs in his
But she also adds that the current system She now has $1,600 a month between Social
spine but can’t do anything about it. So he
doesn’t pay (or reward) for preventative care. Security and the Ford pension. ‘It’s a good
can’t work and spends the day reclining on
But it wasn’t clear to her how either the plan,’ with prescriptions at $2 each, she told
the couch.’ ’’ Kate—Lima, 7/6/2009
free-market or government could change me. Her other story, which bothered her ‘‘Heather (on the right) is 23 and recently
that. ‘People have to take responsibility for deeply, was about her son. He had retired divorced. She had good insurance through
their health,’ she told me.’’ Jean—Van Wert, after 22 years of distinguished service in the the marriage and actually had significant
7/4/2009 Navy—the highly stressful submarine service gastrointestinal problems for which she had
‘‘Todd recently lost his job as a machinist. once dueling daily, in secret, with the Soviet four surgeries. She had a gall bladder oper-
His wife gets health coverage as a school Navy. He had a quadruple bypass and also an ation, colonoscopies, ‘they looked down my
teacher but ‘It’s not good insurance,’ he tells abdominal aneurysm operation. ‘All that stomach too,’ and also sinus surgery. She
me. ‘The out-of-pocket payments are ridicu- went well,’ she said, ‘but he had a very tough now works two jobs (the one at Applebee’s
lous,’ he added. They have two kids—two and time getting reimbursed, especially since his provides insurance but takes up the entire
four years old—and he wonders what will operations left him very sick and weak.’ He paycheck). ‘It’s so strange,’ she adds, ‘I have
happen if they get sick. ‘It’s a great thing had to fight to reimbursed while lying in bed to get a money order to actually cover it and
you’re doing,’ he said, as I shook his hand, recovering. ‘I’ve seen other veteran’s have send it to the health insurance company
thanking him, too, in return.’’ Todd—Van the same struggles,’ Gloria told me. ‘And it’s headquarters—$120/month. But I went to the
Wert, 7/4/2009 a real shame we treat our heroes this way.’ ’’ dentist and still paid $30. But without insur-
‘‘Mike, in the middle, shared with me his Gloria—Lima, 7/5/2009 ance it cost $40, the dentist told me.’ She
father’s situation. ‘He’s 52 years-old, a re- ‘‘Grace, the youngest, hasn’t had any looked over at her friend, who nodded in
tired GM, Delphi employee, salaried, he was.’ healthcare troubles and is hoping to get in- sympathy. ‘I don’t think insurance makes
Mike looked at me to make sure I under- surance as a student when she enrolls in col- sense at all.’ ’’ Heather—Lima, 7/6/2009
stood. ‘He was a salaried worker,’ he re- lege. She does believe that some sort of ‘‘Joe, the flagger at the construction site,
peated. ‘Which means they took away all his healthcare reform is necessary.’’ Grace— believes in individual responsibility and ac-
health benefits last April. Wage-earners got Lima, 7/5/2009 countability. ‘The government always
to keep their benefits, you know.’ I nodded ‘‘Kimberly has a brain aneurysm, which, messes things up,’ he said, but he likes the
in acknowledgment. ‘So, he’s too young for she told me, ‘they are watching.’ She’s also Walk—‘you’re doing a good thing,’ and con-
Medicare, and now has a bad, bad situa- had a falling bladder problem, which they cluded by saying, ‘some change is definitely
tion.’ ’’ Mike—Van Wert, 7/4/2009 are not doing surgery on. In terms of insur- needed.’ ’’ Joe—New Stark, 7/7/2009
pwalker on DSKD5P82C1PROD with REMARKS

‘‘John, on the right, told me ‘I have good ance, she’s on Medicaid and Medicare but ‘‘I met John, a traveling salesman, at din-
insurance but premiums have gone up 30% in told me, ‘I can’t afford the medicines’. Other- ner. He’s got coverage, for which he is grate-
the last year.’ He took me in to his garage, wise, it’s not been a problem. Everybody,’ ful for. He’s been pretty healthy but feels
out from drizzle, to meet his family and she added smiling with a serious look, that ‘it is important that all people have
friends. ‘I’m not happy with the healthcare ‘should have insurance.’ Her effervescent health insurance.’ ’’ John—Lima, 7/7/2009
situation,’ he told me.’’ John—Van Wert, 7/4/ daughter, Tiffany, gave her mother a hug.’’ ‘‘Reuben actually stopped by the roadside
2009 Kimberly—Lima, 7/5/2009 to walk with me. He told me the story of his
‘‘Serving up a cup of coffee, Holly, at the ‘‘Steve, a financial consultant, wants the nephew, who’s an Ob-Gyn doctor in Mary-
Rooster coffee shop, told me she doesn’t have government out of healthcare. He believes land. ‘His entire paycheck nearly all goes to

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 E30 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 6, 2011
malpractice insurance,’ Reuben told me. ‘In- ADHD and she was on her father’s insurance erage, and you need to keep changing plans
surance companies are trying to get every- until January. But as Kim can’t her own cov- to get a decent rate.’ ’’ Sharon—Mifflin, 7/10/
one who can pay, even by coercion.’ He told erage, her daughter must do with Medicaid. 2009
me he thinks it’s important to keep the prof- ‘Easier said than done,’ Kim said. It took ‘‘Dave has Type I diabetes (insulin-depend-
it mongering out of the health insurance two months for her to get approved and in ent) after suffering a bout of pancreatitis a
business. ‘It’s devastating,’ he added. In the meantime, Kim paid out-of-pocket over few years ago. ‘Coverage keeps dropping and
terms of his own health insurance, as a child $400 for her daughter’s various medications. the cost keeps going up,’ he said.’’ Dave—
he survived Hodgkin’s disease but has re- ‘It put us in a real financial hardship with Mifflin, 7/10/2009
cently been diagnosed non-Hodgkin’s the house payment, utilities, and all that.’ ’’ ‘‘Danelle (pictured here with her two love-
lymphoma. ‘It’s a risk factor of childhood Kim—Bucyrus, 7/9/2009 ly children) described a situation with her
Hodgkin’s disease,’ I told him. ‘Yes, I know.’ ‘‘According to George, ‘public delivery of cousin, Barbara. She had a hysterectomy
Though his insurance was ‘80/20,’ as he put it, health care sounds like a good but it could which turned out to be a very bloody oper-
he did pretty well. ‘That’s good,’ I said as we go bad.’ He added that, ‘Our system is way ation and lasted over four hours. The insur-
took a rest by the roadside.’’ Reuben—Upper over priced but if you’re on a plan, you’re ance only allowed a 36-hour hospital stay
Sandusky, 7/8/2009 golden.’ ’’ George—Mansfield, 7/9/2009 and the doctor said that she needed more.
‘‘Donna is the director of the Lighthouse ‘‘This gentleman had Stage IV melanoma ‘But,’ Danelle told me wistfully, ‘she was
homeless shelter (where I had stayed, while with metastases to the brain. He had exten- kicked out anyway.’ ’’ Danelle—Mansfield, 7/
in Bucyrus). It was a nice, clean place which, sive treatments and his life was saved but 10/2009
as she told me, ‘helps people when their most ‘‘ ‘I’ve had no insurance most of the last
the biggest problem, he told me, ‘Was the
in need. The men here have gotta be clean of year,’ said Ida. She herself has diabetes and
clerical and billing side. The paperwork and
drugs, no criminal history, but they’re oth- her husband has a spinal problems. ‘They
scheduling was horrible.’ He summarized his
erwise down-and-out.’ Her husband, 73 years were very fortunate,’ she told me, because
very complicated tour through the
old, is now on Medicare/SSI and had a com- her husband ‘got his surgery at the Cleve-
healthcare system as follows: ‘the clinical
plicated cardiac condition. He suffered a land Clinic under a special program.’ It had
side was wonderful, the administrative a dis- been an extensive operation involving mul-
heart attack during a cath procedure and aster.’ ’’ Mansfield, 7/9/2009
was taken by air ambulance to Columbus. He tiple spinal levels as well as titanium rods
‘‘I met Linda at the drugstore during one
had a quadruple bypass and they ended up being inserted. ‘But,’ she said, ‘all medical
of my regular visits for antibiotic ointment.
with $250,000 in medical bills. Medicare went expenses were covered.’ That’s great, I said.
People often wonder why I buy five or six
to 80%. They lost all their retirement in the ‘Well, otherwise, healthcare has been a dis-
tubes at a time. She told me she’s OK now
stock market and now survive only on Social aster.’ ’’ Ida—Orrville, 7/11/2009
but previously had Aetna as her health in- ‘‘I met Kenneth at McDonald’s over break-
Security. They are filing for bankruptcy. surance carrier. ‘It was a real problem,’ she fast. A retiree, he told me he’s been gen-
‘The angel of the poor has, apparently, be- said, as no providers in her vicinity were erally pretty healthy. Except for last year
come poor herself because of our healthcare covered: ’There was no choice, I had to go all when, ‘He came down with a serious case of
system.’ In terms of herself, Donna has no the way to Columbus for my care.’ ’’ Mans- pneumonia.’ How’d that go, I asked. ‘Not
health insurance. She’s got atrial fibrillation field, 7/10/2009 good. I don’t feel as strong as before. And,
(a heart rhythm abnormality) as well as dia- ‘‘I stopped at Mr. T’s coffee shop on the when I returned home, there was a stack of
betes and she pays for medicines out-of- eastside of Mansfield. ‘I have no healthcare,’ bills waiting for me.’ Did you have insur-
pocket. But, thinking always of those less Richard told me. ‘My doctor bills are $60 and ance? ‘Yes. But, the insurance pays only
fortunate than her, she knows of many peo- they, Medicare, pays $15. We definitely need what they think is necessary. All sorts of
ple all around who do without their medica- some healthcare reform.’ ’’ Richard—Mans- specialists came to see me, and how would I
tions because they can’t afford them.’’ field, 7/10/2009 know if it was necessary or not? I ended up
Donna—Bucyrus, 7/8/2009 ‘‘Glendale’s a World War II vet (Coast owing $1,800.’ He hasn’t declared bankruptcy
‘‘Gary thinks we’re way over-prescribed. Guard). He tells me that being in the VA sys- quite yet but, ‘I’m getting a lawyer,’ he told
As he put it, ‘Too much medicines and phar- tem, he’s had no problems with health care. me. ‘And I’m not fully recovered!’ ’’ Ken-
maceutical costs are skyrocketing.’ He’s He had a heart attack six years ago with a neth—Canton, 7/12/2009
been a retiree for the past eleven years and quadruple bypass but, ‘now,’ he said, ‘I’m ‘‘I met Andrew and his family at the Dairy
initially his health coverage was good. But doing fine.’ He’s been retired for 23 years, Queen in Minerva. They have a complicated
premiums have steadily increased over the gets his medications from the VA and also story. First, there are four members of the
years so that by now more than two-thirds of receives Medicare and retirement benefits. ‘I family. The youngest daughter who was too
his retirement income goes towards health hope they get that healthcare in this coun- shy to get her picture taken (even with her
insurance. I asked Gary if I could take his try worked out, there’s so many people with- parents and older sister holding the camera)
picture, to which he replied, ‘Sure, why not? out it,’ he said. This is a man who fought for is hidden behind the three. So she’s in the
They can’t punish me anymore.’ ’’ Gary— freedom; has his fight been in vain?’’ Glen- picture, but invisible (a parable for the unin-
Bucyrus, 7/8/2009 dale—Mansfield, 7/10/2009 sured). Her story will come soon enough.
‘‘Todd’s a forklift operator and has gen- ‘‘On a hot afternoon, Jane’s store, Mun- First, Andrew. He’s a trucker, worked for CR
erally been very healthy. He once had foot chies, was a godsend. After downing water England for four years and during his em-
surgery but had insurance. He believes that and ice cream, I asked her if she had any ployment (when he had health insurance) he
hospitals gouge people because there’s, ‘No healthcare stories. She didn’t offer any, but had an operation for a total hip replacement.
healthcare system in place, no choice, and so did say, ‘I hope something gets done for ev- ‘I’ve had this problem for years,’ he told me.
they can overcharge those who pay, espe- eryone to have some health care insurance ‘Pain in the hip—both hips actually—and it
cially if out-of-pocket.’ I observed an inter- without hardship . . . especially for our sen- became dangerous to use pain-killers for a
esting story with the cat, a metaphorical iors.’ ’’ Jane—Mansfield, 7/10/2009 long time. So, I was glad to have the oper-
commentary on how our healthcare system ‘‘On this hot afternoon, along the long road ation.’ But the company laid him off ten
treats people. It turns out the cat is near east of Mifflin, I began getting desperately days after the surgery and he lost his insur-
death with a urinary tract infection. He thirsty. A generous family answered my ance. The complained for wrongful termi-
could not urinate for days and the vet told knock and I spoke with three generations of nation and he was actually offered a job to
them that the pet, quiet hiding the entire whom the oldest, Clara, told me her story. return (Andrew knew the company was at
time I was there, could die any day now. As She described a situation with Aetna (Medi- fault) but this new job did not offer any
I got ready to leave, I suddenly heard some care supplemental plan) where her husband healthcare insurance. So he had to quit. ‘My
desperate moaning, followed by a piercing had gotten an infection and required a ten- recovery is still slow,’ and with such a com-
yelp. I turned around to see the cat uri- day course of antibiotics—ten pills. ‘But plicated surgery, follow-up is necessary. But
nating right on the floor in front of his food. Aetna would only authorize four pills at a Andrew can’t afford the $300 fee for any of
‘Looks like he’ll live another day,’ said time,’ she told me. This meant that for each the appointments with the surgeon. Now the
Todd, standing over the now exhausted cat. time, in order to fulfill the full ten-day story of the little girl. I didn’t get her
Todd looked over at me and added, ‘If he course, they had to drive forty minutes. name—let’s call her Jane Doe. Her mother
wasn’t so sick, I’d slap him for peeing on the That made three round-trips in total. Such a told me, ‘She’s got a terrible problem with
floor.’ It’s tragically ironic that with people, ‘ridiculous expense and hassle,’ she said.’’ her teeth, the dentist said bacteria is eating
so many stories play out exactly the oppo- Clara—Ashland, 7/10/2009 at her teeth and it could go to her brain.’
site: people get slapped around precisely be- ‘‘I had just entered Mifflin, when a woman But because the family lost their coverage,
sitting on her porch waved and asked, ‘Are
pwalker on DSKD5P82C1PROD with REMARKS

cause they ARE sick.’’ Todd—Bucyrus, 7/8/ ‘We’ve had to cancel the operation.’ So, why
2009 you the doctor in the newspaper?’ She stood is Jane Doe hiding from the camera? Is it be-
‘‘ ‘As a single mom, healthcare has always up holding the newspaper in her hand as I an- cause she’s a shy four year-old? Or because
been a struggle for me and my children,’ Kim swered, yes, and approached the steps to her she’s already old enough to be embarrassed
tells me. ‘I have worked many jobs, as a so- home. She offered me water. ‘That’s incred- about her teeth? Or perhaps she’s trauma-
cial worker, in a hospital, and now as a re- ible, I was just reading about you—what tized by the whole situation, even if she
porter. These are good jobs but with the pay, karma.’ And we talked about healthcare. doesn’t fully understand it. Or is she simply
healthcare premiums are just too expensive.’ ‘The high deductibles in health insurance are invisible much like many of the other unin-
Her daughter has both bipolar disorder and ridiculous,’ she said. ‘There’s a lack of cov- sured.’’ Andrew—Minerva, 7/12/2009

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 January 6, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E31
‘‘Joyce shared this story about her ex-hus- and stability, through force projection, in the on health care policy, Dr. Gurel’s trek of over
band. He had recently had an accident at Asia-Pacific region. 700 miles in one month is admirable, and the
work. This was covered by Workmen’s Com- Mr. Speaker, General Chandler has dem- lives of the people he met along the way will
pensation. The emergency visit went fine but
onstrated exceptional meritorious service dur- be remembered forever through his monu-
he needed two heparin shots in follow-up vis-
its to the doctor. The doctor wanted $1,000 ing his career with the United States Air Force mental effort.
up-front even though they knew that Work- and has become a distinguished leader to air- f
men’s Comp would cover it (although the re- men stationed on Guam, Guam Air Guards-
ceiving the reimbursement often took men, indeed all airmen and women across this REMEMBERING TOM
months). ‘They wouldn’t give him the shots country. I wish the very best to General Chan- VANDERGRIFF
without the up-front payment,’ and it ended dler; his wife Eva-Marie; and their three chil-
up that his boss loaned him the money. ‘See,’ dren, Carl, Rose-Marie, and Thomas. HON. JOE BARTON
Joyce added, ‘even when you do have insur-
ance sometimes it doesn’t mean nothing.’ ’’ f OF TEXAS

Joyce—Lisbon, 7/13/2009 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A TRIBUTE TO THOMAS S.
‘‘For the past eleven years, Gary has had Thursday, January 6, 2011
Type I diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes). ‘‘TOMMY’’ SAMPSON
Up until recently, he has never had insur- Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I,
ance. But thankfully, ‘the doctors have HON. BRETT GUTHRIE along with Representatives BURGESS, GRANG-
taken care of me,’ he said. He did tell me ER and MARCHANT, wish to inform the House
OF KENTUCKY
about a knee operation that cost him about that on December 30, 2010, the great State of
$10,000. ‘But now,’ he said, ’his wife has a job, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Texas lost a lion. Tom Vandergriff, former
which comes with insurance, and so I’m cov- Thursday, January 6, 2011 mayor of Arlington, Texas, former County
ered.’ ’’ Gary—Lisbon, 7/13/2009 Judge of Tarrant County, and former Member
Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
f honor the memory of a remarkable Ken- of the United States Congress, left this life at
IN TRIBUTE TO GENERAL CAR- tuckian, Mr. Thomas S. ‘‘Tommy’’ Sampson, the age of 84. All of us in north Texas will
ROLL H. ‘‘HOWIE’’ CHANDLER ON Jr. Over the course of his life, Tommy truly ex- mark time from the moment we heard of the
THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIRE- emplified what it meant to help others. loss. The loss is monumental.
MENT FROM THE UNITED He dedicated his life to public service, serv- Few people have had such a positive im-
STATES AIR FORCE ing as coroner, deputy sheriff, police chief and pact on the development and quality of life of
ambulance driver. Tommy is most widely north Texas, and no one has had a greater
HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO known for being a pioneer in emergency medi- impact on Arlington. His friends and admirers
cine as the founder and longtime director of are legion, his accomplishments legendary. He
OF GUAM
Shelby County’s Emergency Medical Services. was the personification of an ideal, the ideal of
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Throughout all his roles, Tommy was known a selflessly devoted public servant who always
Thursday, January 6, 2011 for his kindness, cheerfulness and passion for put the people ahead of personal gain or am-
Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today helping others. bition.
to recognize and commend General Carroll Tommy was not only dedicated to his com- Arlington history is generally divided into two
‘‘Howie’’ Chandler for his distinguished 36 munity, but also to his family, and enjoyed epochs: BV and AV, Before Vandergriff and
years of service and commitment to the United spending time with his wife Beverly, his son After Vandergriff. He first sought and won
States Air Force. General Chandler has dedi- Clark and daughter-in-law Melinda, and his elective office in 1951 when he became the
cated his life to the service of this great Nation grandchildren Jimmy, Collin and Madison. ‘‘boy mayor’’ of Arlington at the age of 25. At
and I appreciate his leadership efforts with the While Kentucky may never again see one of the time Arlington was a small town on the
Air Force particularly in the Pacific area of re- its finest sons, the evidence of his legacy will railroad midway between Dallas and Fort
sponsibility. be visible in the countless lives that he Worth. Vandergriff saw the town’s potential
I had the privilege of working with General touched. and set out to make it a center of prosperity
Chandler on several initiatives that directly im- I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring in its own right while fostering a new spirit of
proved the quality of lives of our men and Tommy Sampson for his many great contribu- cooperation within the north Texas region. Ar-
women in uniform on Guam and the Western tions to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He lington, now the 49th largest city in the U.S.
Pacific. He was instrumental in ensuring the will forever be appreciated and remembered with 370,000 people, would never be the
Administration budgeted for several key mili- by a grateful community. same, and neither would north Texas. Indeed,
tary construction projects on Guam that di- f it was Vandergriff who coined the phrase,
rectly improved the quality of life for airmen at ‘‘Metroplex,’’ which is still the term usually ap-
Andersen Air Force Base. His directive to ren- IN HONOR OF DR. OGAN GUREL plied to describe the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
ovate Building 21000 on Andersen Air Force His first major achievement was convincing
Base will be critical to more effectively and ef- HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH General Motors executives to locate their new
ficiently using space and facilities to meet mis- OF OHIO automobile assembly plant in Arlington. His
sion requirements. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES family owned a Chevrolet dealership in town,
Further, I particularly appreciated General which gave him access to General Motors
Chandler’s leadership in granting local base Thursday, January 6, 2011 Corp. Upon hearing that GM planned to build
commanders with the authority and flexibility Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in a plant in north Texas, he sold Arlington as a
to address a variety of local issues. Chief honor of Dr. Ogan Gurel, M.D., for the Walk superior location by telling GM, as he would
among those issues was resolution of access for Healthcare, in which he walked from Chi- later tell the story, that if they put the plant in
for landlocked private property landowners in cago, Illinois to Washington, D.C., in June and Dallas, it would make Fort Worth angry; if they
northern Guam. General Chandler recognized July of 2009. put it in Fort Worth, it would make Dallas
the importance of empowering local com- Dr. Gurel received his M.D. from Columbia angry. He ended his pitch by convincing them
manders on the ground to identify solutions to University, where he started his career in that if they put it in Arlington, everybody would
longstanding problems that go a long way to- health care. He has held a variety of jobs in be happy. The plant produced its first auto-
wards improving the civilian and military com- the industry, including positions in medical re- mobile in 1954 and today is the only GM plant
munity relationship on Guam. He recognized search, media, and consulting. During his 700- in the U.S. that makes full-size SUVs.
the importance of working together as a key to mile, month-long journey, he spoke with ordi- The GM plant began a building boom in Ar-
strengthening bonds in the community. nary people, many of whom were uninsured lington that has lasted more than 55 years.
General Chandler also recognized Guam’s and struggling to pay for their health care, Knowing a small town on well water could not
pwalker on DSKD5P82C1PROD with REMARKS

strategic importance to our Nation’s defense. about what they thought of health care reform. sustain rapid growth nor accommodate the
As Commander of Pacific Air Forces and then He collected their stories and took their pic- needs of industry, Vandergriff convinced the
as Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, tures. voters of Arlington to pass an initiative to build
General Chandler has consistently dem- Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me a large reservoir to meet the town’s future
onstrated through allocation of resources that in honoring Dr. Ogan Gurel for the dedication needs. The effort proved to be as controver-
Guam and Andersen Air Force Base remain and persistence he demonstrated in his Walk sial as it was monumental for a small town,
vital to the protection of our national interests for Healthcare. Regardless of party or position but the initiative passed, and Lake Arlington

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