September 20, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1577 

professionals, child care facilities, schools and 

universities on not only meningitis but other 

vaccine preventable diseases through personal stories, educational brochures, posters 

and videos. 

Meningitis Angels is dedicated to the support of victims of bacterial meningitis and their 

families. While helping families cope with the 

loss or care of a family member they also offer 

some hands on support for those children affected with bacterial meningitis. 

Sadly, Meningitis Angels continues to grow. 

Meningitis Angels currently represents over 

600 families across the U.S. and abroad. 

Mr. Speaker, I cannot do justice to these 

families without speaking about this terrible 

and preventable disease. 

Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the 

meninges, the thin lining that surrounds the 

brain and spinal cord. 

It is a deadly, debilitating disease that especially affects infants, children, teenagers, 

young adults, and those with compromised immune systems. 

People who have bacterial meningitis may 

have longterm complications and disabilities 

like permanent brain damage and long-term 

physical problems such as heart, kidney, or intestinal problems or could require amputations 

of the arms, legs and facial features. Infants 

and teens are highest risk for this disease. 

The most effective way to protect your child 

against bacterial meningitis is to complete the 

recommended vaccine schedule. In many 

states, these vaccines are required for children in school and daycare. 

The families of Meningitis Angels can tell 

you that these requirements are not frivolous 

or busy work. 

So on their behalf, I ask that American families get vaccinated to prevent more tragedies. 

I have offered H. Res. 403 to honor Ryan 

Wayne Milley, his remarkable mom Frankie, 

and all Meningitis Angels across the United 

States. Today is an appropriate day to remember Ryan and to support efforts to end the disease that took his life. 

f 

IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL 

HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS WEEK 

HON. LAURA RICHARDSON OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to recognize National Hispanic-Serving 

Institutions Week during the week of September 16 through September 22, 2012. 

These institutions of higher learning play a 

unique role in bringing together families and 

communities to develop our nation’s most valuable resource: our children. During this week, 

I rise to thank the Hispanic-serving institutions 

that are equipping our children with the skills 

necessary for a lifetime of success. 

I would like to recognize four such institutions in the 37th Congressional District of California: California State University-Dominguez 

Hills, California State University-Long Beach, 

El Camino College-Compton Center, and Long 

Beach City College. These schools are preparing students to enter the workforce in 

science, education, and healthcare, among 

many other fields and career paths that will 

contribute to our economic success today and 

in the future. 

The majority of residents in my district are 

Hispanic, and Hispanics represent our country’s largest minority group. Hispanics have already made invaluable contributions to America and I have no doubt Hispanics will continue to do so. The future prosperity of America hinges on tapping into the enormous potential of minority groups. Investing in technical education for minorities is not just a 

moral obligation but an American necessity. 

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join 

me in recognizing the tremendous work of Hispanic-serving institutions, within my district as 

well as across the nation. I thank the countless staff members and educators who are 

strengthening our education system and creating new opportunities for a new generation 

of Hispanic leaders. 

f 

RECOGNIZING ED BERGH ON THE 

OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT 

HON. ADAM SMITH OF WASHINGTON

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I 

rise to honor Ed Bergh on his retirement from 

Yelm High School after 38 years of teaching. 

The Washington State Legislature has also 

named Mr. Bergh the Washington Civic Educator of the Year. 

Mr. Bergh studied political science at Western Washington University and soon after 

graduation, he became a Social Studies 

teacher. Today, Mr. Bergh teaches World 

Problems, History, and American Government. 

In addition to his passion for educating 

young people, Mr. Bergh loves learning more 

about the subjects he teaches. He looks for 

ways to increase his knowledge and apply that 

learning to the classroom. Mr. Bergh does not 

simply lecture his students, he engages them 

in discussion and helps them think critically 

before reaching conclusions. 

In addition to teaching, Mr. Bergh enjoys 

learning and writing about his hometown, 

Yelm, Washington. He created the Yelm History Project, a virtual database for the history 

of Yelm, the Web site of which he and his students regularly update. 

Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize the career of Ed Bergh. His dedication 

to teaching is an inspiration and has undoubtedly helped countless students who have 

gone on to accomplish great things. 

f 

ANGELS IN ADOPTION 

HON. TED POE OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Monica 

and Ivory Garrett from Beaumont, Texas are 

truly Angels—Angels in Adoption. Forty-three 

foster children have been blessed with the 

Garretts’ love and care over the years; Fortythree lives have been changed because of the 

Garretts. 

Mrs. Garrett began her involvement in the 

foster care system in 1997 as lead staff at a 

Buckner International group home for foster 

children. Through her work, she realized that 

this was God’s calling for her, and a few years 

later, the Garretts were licensed as foster parents and began welcoming children into their 

own home. After caring for 25 children, the 

Garretts’ felt that God was calling them to 

something even bigger. 

The Garretts then opened a group home for 

children with therapeutic needs in 2009. They 

consider all of these children their own, providing a loving home and ensuring that they 

get the most out of life. Their children are all 

encouraged to explore their talents, participating in choir, sports, and various other activities. The Garretts are unsung heroes, a 

family with bountiful love, and truly Angels in 

Adoption. 

I was honored to recently award the Garretts with their Angels in Adoption award. They 

are an incredible family that has dedicated 

their lives to help and change children’s lives. 

And that’s just the way it is. 

f 

A TRIBUTE TO COMMAND 

SERGEANT MAJOR OTIS CUFFEE 

HON. ROBERT A. BRADY OF PENNSYLVANIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I 

rise today to honor Command Sergeant Major 

Otis N. Cuffee. For 37 years, Sergeant Major 

Cuffee has served in the United States Armed 

Services and will soon celebrate his retirement 

after decades of service to our Nation. 

Sergeant Major Cuffee dedicated 37 years 

in continuous active duty service to our country. During his tenure in the U.S. Armed Services he served in various leadership positions, 

from Squad Leader to Sergeant Major. As 

Sergeant Major, Cuffee extended his expertise 

to teaching the Basic Airborne Training 

Course and the NCO Academy Advanced 

Course. Most recently, he has had the position 

of a senior enlisted leader at the Defense Logistics Agency. 

Sergeant Major Cuffee has received numerous personal awards including the Legion of 

Merit, Bronze Star and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service. His relentless dedication was honored with the Meritorious Service Award, Army Commendation 

Award, Army Achievement, Humanitarian 

Service Award and Korean Defense Service 

Medal. Additionally, Sergeant Cuffee has received numerous unit and condition awards. 

Sergeant Cuffee’s long and impressive career showcases his commitment not only to 

his local community but our Nation. Mr. 

Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in thanking Command Sergeant Cuffee for his dedication and 

congratulate him on the occasion of his retirement. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, September 20, 2012 

Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012 I had to 


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