Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Edward Nawrocki, Richard Anderson, and all of the hardworking staff of St. Luke's Quakertown Hospital on their achievements as part of the Premier healthcare alliance's groundbreaking QUEST: High-Performing Hospitals collaborative.

St. Luke's Quakertown Hospital has been recognized as one of the 32 national hospitals to reach the top levels of performance in the areas preventing mortality, reducing costs, and improving the delivery of evidence-based care delivery. In reaching this level of performance, they are truly putting patients first and setting the standard for clinical excellence.

St. Luke's Quakertown Hospital is helping improve the quality care not only in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, but nationwide. As a group, QUEST hospitals across the country have saved over 8,000 lives, reduced costs by $577 million, and provided 24,818 additional patients with all evidence-based appropriate care. According to an analysis of these Year 1 results, if all hospitals were to achieve the improvements found among the QUEST participants, they could save an estimated 52,760 lives and $1.16 billion in costs. In addition, 27,771 more patients could receive all recommended care.

I am pleased that the residents of my district are being served by a top-performing hospital and congratulate them on their outstanding accomplishments in improving patient care.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, tonight, October 6, at 10:03 p.m., we have a very special night. My colleagues and I stand here tonight to champion the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell is important. It's important for three reasons.

Number one, it is vital to our national security that we repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We have kicked out over 13,000 troops since we enacted this law 16 years ago. We have kicked out over 400 troops just this year, in 2009. When our commanders on the ground are desperate for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, now is not the time to throw them out-- not for any type of sexual misconduct, but just because they're gay.

Number two, do we need to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell because it is doing right by our taxpayers? It is costing the American taxpayer $1.3 billion to throw these young American heroes out of our military just because of their sexual orientation. It costs the American taxpayer $60,000 to recruit these young heroes to come in, to train them up, to make them warriors, and then we just disregard them just because of their sexual orientation.

And, lastly, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy goes against the very fabric of what makes our country the greatest country on Earth, the fact that we're all created equal.

Mr. Speaker, we have colleagues, Members of this great House here tonight to argue about the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. There are 176 cosponsors to repeal this act, but one of these Members is the highest-ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve the United States Congress. He was a command sergeant major. That is the highest rank you can become in the United States Army in the enlisted ranks. He is a sophomore Congressman from Minnesota. His name is Tim Walz. He is an American patriot and a hero, and I'd like to turn it over to my colleague and my friend, Tim Walz from the great State of Minnesota.

I thank the gentleman from Minnesota. There are two points that he mentioned that I would like to highlight. The first is the fact that there are 27 other nations that allow their troops to serve openly. Some of our toughest allies--Great Britain, Israel, the Aussies--they all allow their troops to serve openly with no detrimental effects.

Secondly, the command sergeant major mentioned Iwo Jima. I spoke to 250 senior leaders in the United States Army yesterday, and, unsolicited, I got an e-mail this morning from one of those colonels that I met with. And this Army colonel wrote me a note, and he said, ``In fact, gay men and women have been serving honorably in our military for decades.'' He sent me a moving passage from a book about World War II entitled, ``Stories from the Pacific.'' Reflecting on his experiences, a Marine wrote:

``That lesson of tolerance was well learned by the men in our company. During three amphibious campaigns in which we took part in Bougainville to Iwo Jima, valor and unselfishness were commonplace. I saw bravery and sacrifice all around me.

``One of the most courageous men I met was our Navy corpsman, Billy Hauger, a teenage boy who always put our well-being ahead of his own. In combat, he cared for us. He bandaged our wounds and comforted our men as they died. Often he would leave his position of relative safety and move out into the hail of enemy gunfire to treat a downed marine or pull a man to safety.

``On Iwo Jima, he risked his life time and time again to take care of his fellow men. On his last rescue attempt, he was badly wounded when a Japanese Nambu machine gun put a round through his thigh and another high in his chest. Billy's wounds were life-threatening, and he was quickly transported out to the hospital ship for treatment. But Billy didn't make it.

``Billy was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, our Nation's second highest honor for extraordinary heroism under fire. I loved Billy Hauger then and I will always love him. Billy Hauger was a homosexual. Every single marine in our company will be proud to stand with him and call him friend and brother.''

He's looking down from heaven right now, and he's looking at us in this hall today. And I'm proud to stand with every one of you as we champion the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

With that, I yield to my colleague, the congresswoman from California, Mrs. Lois Capps.

I thank the lady from California.

I would like to highlight the fact that Nathaniel Frank and Aaron Bell can do a great job at the Palm Center. They are truly our battle buddies in this cause to do what's right by our soldiers, our marines, our airmen, our sailors, and our coastguardsmen. And that's our job tonight.

Now it's my honor to turn it over to the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Jared Polis, who happens to be my sister and brother-in-law's Congressman, and I know Brian and Kathy Mergolis out there in Westminster, Colorado, are probably watching, and I would like to turn it over now to their Congressman, Mr. Polis.

I would like to highlight of this report--which is a terrific report--Colonel Prakash writes, ``There are potential lessons to learn from other countries that have lifted the ban on homosexuals serving openly. There was no mass exodus of heterosexuals, there was no mass `coming-out' of homosexuals. Prior to lifting their bans, in Canada 62 percent of servicemen stated that they would refuse to share showers with a gay soldier, and in the United Kingdom, two-thirds of males stated that they would not willingly serve in the military if gays were allowed. In both cases, after lifting their bans, the result was ``no effect.''

In a survey of over 100 experts from Australia, Canada, Israel, and the United Kingdom, it was found that all agreed the decision to lift the ban on homosexuals had no impact on military performance, readiness, cohesion, or ability to recruit or retain. Nor did it increase the HIV rate among troops.''

He concludes his article by saying, as you mentioned, ``Don't Ask, Don't Tell has been costly both in personnel and treasure. In an attempt to allow homosexual servicemembers to serve quietly, a law was created by this Congress that forces a compromise in integrity, conflicts with the American creed of `equality for all,' places commanders in difficult moral dilemmas, and is ultimately more damaging to the unit cohesion its stated purpose is to preserve.

``Furthermore, after a careful examination, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that unit cohesion will be negatively affected if homosexuals serve openly. In fact, the necessarily speculative psychological predictions are that it will not impact combat effectiveness.

``Based on this research, it is not time for the administration to reexamine the issue; rather, it is time for the administration to examine how to implement the repeal of the ban.''

And that, my friends, is from the Joint Force Quarterly. That is a publication from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of our country.

With that, I would like to now turn it over to the congresswoman from California, Ms. Lynn Woolsey.

I thank the gentlelady from

Maine. That was powerful. I tell you, you are doing a fantastic job as a new Member of Congress. We are proud to have you and lucky to have you in this Hall.

With that, I would like to turn it over to gentleman from New York (Mr. Arcuri), the former prosecutor from Utica, an Italian Catholic like my mother, who came in in the 2006 class.

I thank the gentleman from New York. As Mr. Arcuri said, we should all weigh in and we shouldn't just leave it to those who have served in uniform. I tell you, in the Congress 40 years ago, over 75 percent had military experience. Now it is 23 percent of us here have military experience. I will tell you that you don't need to be a veteran, someone who wore the cloth of our country, to weigh in. And that is why it is great to have patriots like Mike Arcuri, Chellie Pingree, and like Mike Quigley, from all over this country, to stand up and do the right thing.

With that, I now turn it over to one of the true champions of equality in this Congress. The Congresswoman from Wisconsin has been in my home district in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and we keep asking her to come back because she has more fans there than I do, I think. Luckily, she is not running against me in a primary. But I will tell you, Ms. Tammy Baldwin is a true champion for all of us with what is right in America.

I thank the gentlelady from Wisconsin. And as she mentioned Lieutenant Colonel Fehrenbach, the fact that we trained him and spent millions of dollars on his training to do what's necessary to keep our family safe here at home and in a faraway place like Iraq and Afghanistan, and just to throw him out and just discharge him like that is really a stain. It is a stain on our military. And it's a stain on this Congress for not acting quick enough.

It reminds me--you know, I had the great honor to teach at West Point. I taught constitutional law at the United States Military Academy at West Point. I was there from 2000 to 2003. And Forbes Magazine just rated West Point the number one college in America. It costs the American taxpayer about a quarter-million dollars to train each one of those cadets to become second lieutenants, to become leaders of character, not just for the 5-year active duty military commitment, but for a lifetime of service.

One of those cadets when I taught there was Lieutenant Dan Choi. Lieutenant Choi is an Arabic speaker, an Army officer, an Iraq war veteran and another one, one of the 13,000 that we just threw out of the military, not for any type of sexual misconduct. And let's be clear. If there's sexual misconduct, whether homosexual or of a heterosexual nature, throw them out. But just because he was gay, just because of his sexual orientation, and that is wrong. I'd now like to turn it over to my colleague, Mr. Jared Polis, for any comments that he may have.

I appreciate those comments. Also, another former chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Colin Powell, has actually come out and said that it is now time to reevaluate it. So in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, to the men and women at home, across our country and overseas in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, now is the time to act in the sense of urgency to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It is vital to our national security. No longer can we afford to let go of 13,000 qualified and honorable troops. We must do right by our taxpayer. It makes no sense that we spend $1.3 billion to train these heroes up and then to just kick them out because of their sexual orientation.

And lastly, this policy is simply un-American. It goes against the very fabric which makes our country great, that we're all created equal.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rosalind Wee as the recipient of the 2009 Pearl S. Buck International Woman of the Year Award. This achievement is awarded to ``women who make outstanding contributions in the areas of cross- cultural understanding, humanitarian outreach, and improving the quality of life and expanding opportunities for children around the world.'' Ms. Wee is one of only 27 women to receive this prestigious and well-deserved award.

Ms. Wee has shown herself to be a dedicated humanitarian throughout the years, serving as the treasurer of the Quezon City Chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross, the President of the Pearl S. Buck Foundation Philippines and the President of Philippine Federation of Local Councils of Women.

Her accomplishments also extend into the business world, where she is the founder and director of the Marine Resources Development Corporation and the owner and developer of First Marcel Properties, Inc.

She is also the proud mother of six children--and even with such a busy schedule, she still manages to find time to indulge her passion for golf. She has encouraged many other women to do so as the President of the Manila Lady Golfers Foundation.

Ms. Wee has been able to accomplish all of her successes as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, mother and grandmother despite having been blinded after having a brain tumor operation 17 years ago.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Ms. Rosalind Wee for her outstanding contributions to her community and the world at large. She serves as an inspiration to all of us and demonstrates that the only limitations to our goals are those we choose to accept.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and to honor Environmental Tectonics Corporation on their 40th anniversary. Through innovation and determination, ETC continues to help our local economy grow and prosper, with new jobs, despite the tough economic times.

ETC has been a leader in simulation technologies, from creating entertaining simulation safari rides for amusement parks, to their state of the art aerospace training simulators. Their simulators have prepared civilian and military personnel for real life emergency situations, while keeping our heroes out of harm's way. They have saved countless lives by using the most technologically advanced training systems available anywhere in the world.

Starting with their partnership with United States Navy in 1971 creating rapid high-altitude decompression chambers and eventually evolving into the leading provider of aerospace simulation training, ETC is a world leader and today I am honored to recognize them on 40 years of exemplary work.

Madam Speaker, ETC has provided training to make the world a safer place and created jobs to spur the local economy. They are a welcome example of a civic minded corporation, dedicated to our national security. I highly value their commitment to our community, and I am proud to work with them as they develop cutting-edge technology to serve our nations best and brightest.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very special company located in my district in Southampton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This Saturday, September 26, 2009, Environmental Tectonics Corporation will celebrate its 40th anniversary of producing world-class technology for a variety of markets.

I am proud to say that Environmental Tectonics Corporation, ETC, is located in my congressional district in Southampton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. They employ more than 260 employees and subcontract with dozens of local suppliers throughout Pennsylvania creating hundreds of jobs and generating millions of dollars annually in local economic development.

On Monday, February 2nd, ETC announced a $20 million contract with the United States Navy for the manufacture of a next-generation, motion-based research device that will improve the health and safety of pilots. ETC estimates that the contract will generate three hundred jobs in our region.

Founded in 1969, ETC is a cutting-edge, high technology manufacturing and integration company that services the requirements of a broad base of customers. As one of the most important innovative manufacturers in Bucks County, ETC remains a driving force of our economy and is at the forefront of technology manufacturing. ETC provides high-paying jobs to local employees in the areas of manufacturing, engineering, software development and other high-tech careers. ETC has partnered with local technical and engineering institutions of higher learning to provide hands-on training for local students pursing careers in the science, technology and manufacturing fields. ETC's NASTAR Center is truly a global leader in preparing for the next generation of sub-orbital space flight guaranteeing local economic development for decades. It gives me a

tremendous sense of pride that in the future the departure desk for space will be in my home district.

On September 26th, the ETC family will gather to celebrate its past success and prepare for a future of remarkable achievement. Madam Speaker, I want to congratulate the entire ETC team on their past and continued success and I look forward to representing them in our nation's Capitol for years to come.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo as a 2009 recipient of the Bensalem Outreach Center Community Service Award.

Serving his community of Bensalem as its Mayor for nearly fifteen years, Joe DiGirolamo embodies what it means to be a public servant. Since being elected as Mayor in 1994, he has brought countless community improvements to Bensalem, including new state-of-the-art parks, transportation system upgrades, reduced real estate taxes, and infrastructure improvements.

Mr. DiGirolamo has also helped to ensure a brighter future for his community's youth through his efforts with programs like ``Kids at Work'' and by founding the Joseph DiGirolamo Scholarship Foundation.

As a former farmer, he understands the importance of responsible land management and respect for the environment. He has demonstrated this by maintaining a policy of preserving open space and the natural beauty of Bensalem.

Mr. DiGirolamo is also a family man in every sense of the word. He has been married to his wife Mary for 53 years, and is the proud grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of three.

IT's been an honor to work with the Mayor over the past three years, but an even greater honor to be able to call him a friend.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo for his outstanding commitment to public service, his community, and his country. I am honored to serve as his Congressman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. James D. Lombardo, Superintendent of Schools of the Bensalem Township School District.

Dr. Lombardo will be stepping down from his position this summer after two and a half years of dynamic leadership in the district. Prior to this position he was superintendent for the Upper St. Clair School District in Pennsylvania as well as school districts in the state of Vermont. Dr. Lombardo's experience in the public education system also includes positions as a curriculum and staff development director, principal, associate principal, and English teacher.

As an educator, Dr. Lombardo's philosophy centers on the concept of providing learning for the ``whole'' child, challenging and supporting each student to discover a passion for learning while designing and achieving a personal vision of success. He has guided members of his school district in setting goals and beliefs to achieve this vision of education.

During his time as superintendent, Dr. Lombardo has encouraged staff and parents alike to ensure that no child is ``invisible'' and that each student is safe, healthy, and engaged. Specifically students in grades 3, 7, and 8 now have an opportunity to learn a second language, students with special needs are spending more of their time in the regular classroom setting, more than 100 kindergarten students now benefit from a full time program, and smaller class sizes in grades K-2 promise improved learning for hundreds of Bensalem children.

Dr. Lombardo has contributed enormously to the education and well- being of children in his community. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Dr. Lombardo for his outstanding efforts, and am extremely honored to serve as his Congressman.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a bill originally introduced by Representative Ellen Tauscher of California, for the purposes of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to add my voice to the growing chorus calling for the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law.

As you have suggested, many years have passed since the law has been adopted, and I believe that many of the reasons that the Members of Congress found compelling in 1993 will be considered outdated by current servicemembers and the American public today.

Mr. Chairman, I know our schedule in Armed Services is challenging, but I would encourage you to consider conducting hearings at the earliest possible date in the hope of correcting this policy that I believe undermines national security and military readiness.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor J. Robert Hunsicker. He has served the town of Perkasie, Pennsylvania as Mayor for the past decade.

A lifelong resident of Perkasie, Mayor Hunsicker has been active in his community for years. He grew up working for his father's butter and egg business in town, and graduated from Sell-Perk High school in 1945. He served as a Justice of the Peace from 1955 to 1969, and then as a district justice from 1970 until his retirement to a senior judge position in 1993. In this role, the Mayor had the opportunity to serve on most courts in Bucks County.

Described by colleagues as Perkasie's biggest fan and loudest cheerleader, the Mayor has been a champion for the many programs that represent his hometown. This includes the Perkasie Park System, where free arts and cultural events are held weekly during the summer months. One of Mayor Hunsicker's dreams has been the construction of a new band shell in which to house these community events. During his time in office, the Mayor has also partnered with the neighboring town of Sellersville to oversee the successful merging of the towns' two police departments.

Mayor Hunsicker will retire later this month in order to enjoy some well-deserved time with his six children and six grandchildren, and will of course remain involved in the Perkasie community. Madam Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing Mayor J. Robert Hunsicker for his admirable lifelong service. I am honored to serve as his Congressman. Congratulations on the dedication of their headquarters today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Allen McQuarrie, a man who has worked tirelessly to assist those recovering from substance addiction in Bucks County.

Mr. McQuarrie's path began in the classroom as a public school science teacher. Following his retirement after thirty years with the New Jersey Education Association, he worked for public employee unions and employers. In this field, Mr. McQuarrie pioneered human resources training and personnel services to aid staff and their families recovering from substance addiction, stress, and other barriers to healthy living.

Most recently, Allen McQuarrie has partnered with PROACT, the Pennsylvania Recovery Organization-Achieving Community Together, a grassroots recovery support initiative in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Over the past ten years, he has been a volunteer, a mentor for men incarcerated in the Bucks County Correctional Facility, and a co-chair of the organization.

Mr. McQuarrie has also served as a board member for the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, as well as on the Traffic Advisory Committee for Doylestown Township. He was the recipient of the 2008 Ambassador of the Year Award, presented to him by the Pennsylvania Recovery Organizations Alliance. In addition, Mr. McQuarrie will be receiving the prestigious Joel Hernandez Voice of the Recovery Community Award on behalf of PROACT. This award is granted based on the success of this organization in increasing the prevalence and quality of long term recovery in their community.

Allen McQuarrie has contributed enormously to his community in Bucks County. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Mr. McQuarrie for his outstanding efforts, and am extremely honored to serve as his Congressman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Joseph F. Thompson, the 2008 recipient of the Pennsylvania State Police Trooper of the Year Award and a native of Bucks County.

Trooper Thompson has demonstrated incredible bravery and self- sacrifice during his career as a Pennsylvania State trooper, often putting his own personal safety aside for the sake of serving the public.

Following his graduation from Pennsbury High School, Trooper Thompson enlisted in the Marine Corps. He then attended the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and became a trooper in 1993. After 16 years of distinguished service, he retired this past May.

During his career as a trooper, Thompson worked undercover for the Bureau of Drug and Law Enforcement. He later became a member of Troop K, patrolling highways in search of drug dealers. Over the years, Trooper Thompson faced a number of life-or-death situations, even receiving the State Police Medal of Honor for saving the life of his partner during one such instance.

The Trooper of the Year Award is another highlight in a career marked by much well-deserved recognition. In 2008, Trooper Thompson received the department's highest honor, an award recognizing exceptional performance and courage in the line of duty. This honor was based on accomplishments such as the 108 arrests he made in 2007, as well as an incident where Thompson used his own patrol car to slow a large vehicle carrying $5 million worth of cocaine on the highway.

The Pennsylvania State Police have clearly been privileged to employ such a committed officer. Over his years of service, Mr. Thompson has undoubtedly helped ensure the safety and well-being of countless citizens. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Joseph F. Thompson for his extraordinary accomplishments, and extremely honored to serve as his Congressman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jeffrey Brown, the President and CEO of Brown's Super Stores, Inc. The first Brown's Family Shoprite opened in Philadelphia in 1988 under the leadership of Jeffrey Brown. The Brown's Family Shoprite franchise is one of the last major family grocery businesses left in the county, and counts 2,500 residents as employees. Brown's Family Shoprite has earned a well-deserved reputation of strong community involvement, working alongside local organizations, businesses, and neighborhood groups for events and outreach in the eleven communities where stores are located.

Mr. Brown leads the franchise he founded by example, and he is a fourth-generation Philadelphia grocer. As CEO, he is actively engaged in working with local groups that fight hunger, prevent violence, and help give youth a better future through career preparation. Mr. Brown is an officer and member of the Board of Directors for the Philadelphia Youth Network. He has recently supported the ``Goods for Guns'' Program, an exchange that encourages community members to surrender firearms. He has been commended by the NAACP, and actively assists minority businesspeople in achieving their entrepreneurial goals. Mr. Brown has also been recognized by the City of Philadelphia and South Jersey for his work. Mr. Brown and his franchise have been strong supporters of the arts and other community events throughout the years.

Brown's Family Shoprite is a member of the Wakefern Food Corporation, the largest food cooperative in the United States. Mr. Brown's involvement in this cooperative allows him to share his knowledge and experience outside of the district. Mr. Brown is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Food Merchants, New Jersey Food Council, and Philadelphia Urban League. He has aided grocers across the country in understanding marketing and business development in urban areas, as well as the serving of diverse communities.

Jeffrey Brown has been a community leader and business innovator. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Mr. Brown for his extraordinary accomplishments, and am extremely honored to serve as his Congressman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Father Francis P. Foley on the 25th anniversary of his ordination.

In the spirit of John Cardinal O'Connor, who served both as a Philadelphia priest and as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, Father Foley has served his congregation and his country honorably. Father Foley attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia.

At the age of 23, Father Foley was so inspired by a mass at the Naval Academy in Annapolis that he decided to become a Navy Chaplain. He persevered in attaining the chaplaincy, despite the fact that it took him 5 years to convince the archdiocese to allow him to do so. He is a beacon of faith, kindness, and wisdom to all of those lucky enough to have come to know him in his 25 years of devoted service.

Ordained in May of 1984, Father Foley's first service was a mass of thanksgiving the very next day. On the 14th of this month, in tribute to his 25 years of unwavering dedication to his faith and his community, he will be honored during a Jubilee Mass at St. Athanasius in Philadelphia.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Father Francis P. Foley for his incredible service as a Navy Chaplain, and am extremely honored to serve as his Congressman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Meredith Buck as a 2009 recipient of the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international honor in the nursing field. The Medal is awarded by the International Committee of the Red Cross for ``exceptional courage and devotion to caring for the victims of armed conflict or other disasters, or exemplary services and a creative and pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education''. Ms. Buck is one of only 28 nurses in the world receiving this honor in 2009.

Ms. Buck joined the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross immediately following the attacks of September 11th, and has been dedicated to emergency relief ever since. Locally, she has responded to dozens of disasters, volunteering as a nurse and as a Disaster Action Team responder for various county organizations. Nationally, she has responded to twelve disasters in locations ranging from New York to Texas to Guam.

Ms. Buck has demonstrated remarkable leadership in her field, having served as an instructor for the Emergency Services Department. She is also the co-captain of the Disaster Health Services Team, a group comprised of 126 nurses, nursing assistants, EMTs, and other medical personnel trained to respond to disaster-affected clients utilizing Red Cross medical assistance.

Along with these accomplishments, Ms. Buck has repeatedly proven her dedication to the clients of the Red Cross. From mentoring new volunteers as a back-up on-call nurse every other day of the week to traveling to a disaster site in the middle of the night, Ms. Buck has regularly worked all hours for those in need of her care.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize Ms. Meredith Buck for her outstanding commitment to her local community, as well as her country, and am extremely honored to serve as her Congressman.