E2210 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 2, 2008 

sharing the same racial and ethnic background. 

(9) Because of the disparities in the need 

for organs, minorities are more likely to wait 

longer to find a successful match and are 

more likely to be sicker when an organ is 

found. 

(10) An increase in minority organ donations 

would decrease the waiting time and increase 

the likelihood of successful transplantations for 

minorities. 

f 

AMENDING THE COMMODITY PROVISIONS OF THE FOOD, CONSERVATION, AND ENERGY ACT 

OF 2008 

SPEECH OF

HON. COLLIN C. PETERSON OF MINNESOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 29, 2008 

Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Madam 

Speaker, I submit for printing in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD the following exchange of letters between the Committee on Agriculture 

and the Committee on Ways and Means with 

regards to H.R. 6849. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, 

Washington, DC, September 27, 2008. 

Hon. COLLIN PETERSON, 

Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR CHAIRMAN PETERSON: I am writing regarding H.R. 6849, which may be considered 

on the floor today, and which includes 

amendments to section 901 of the Trade Act 

of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2497(a)). As you know, the 

Committee on Ways and Means has jurisdiction over legislation amending the Trade Act 

of 1974, and thus, these amendments fall 

within the jurisdiction of the Committee on 

Ways and Means. 

However, in order to expedite this bill for 

floor consideration, the Committee will 

forgo action. This is being done with the understanding that it does not in any way prejudice the Committee with respect to the appointment of conferees or its jurisdictional 

prerogatives on this bill or similar legislation in the future. 

I would appreciate your response to this 

letter, confirming this understanding with 

respect to H.R. 6849, and would ask that a 

copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Record. 

Sincerely, 

CHARLES B. RANGEL, 

Chairman. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, 

Washington, DC, September 27, 2008. 

Hon. CHARLES B. RANGEL, 

Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, 

Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC. 

DEAR CHAIRMAN RANGEL: Thank you for 

your letter regarding the Committee on 

Ways and Means’ jurisdictional interest in 

H.R. 6849. 

I appreciate your willingness to expedite 

this legislation for Floor consideration, with 

the understanding that it does not prejudice 

your Committee’s jurisdictional prerogatives 

on this or similar legislation. 

I will submit a copy of your letter and this 

response as part of the Congressional Record 

during consideration of the legislation on 

the House floor. Thank you for your support 

of H.R. 6849 and your cooperation as we work 

towards enactment of this legislation. 

Sincerely, 

COLLIN C. PETERSON, 

f 

Chairman. 

HONORING THE LIFE AND 

MEMORY OF SHIRLEY DEMMER 

HON. THADDEUS G. McCOTTER OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, October 2, 2008 

Mr. MCCOTTER. Madam Speaker, today I 

rise to honor the life of Shirley Demmer and 

applaud Bill Demmer’s establishment of the 

Shirley Dudek Demmer Summer Chair of Research at the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. 

In 1952, Shirley was born in Detroit, Michigan to a homemaker and a General Motors 

automotive worker. She grew up in a modest 

neighborhood with five siblings. Tragically, at 

age 13, Shirley lost her mother to what was 

thought to be a stroke, but was later confirmed 

to be a ruptured brain aneurysm. After the 

passing of her mother, Shirley had to grow up 

fast. In 1975, she met her future husband Bill, 

with whom she would share 30 wonderful 

years of marriage. In 1978, the Demmers 

moved to Northville, Michigan, and raised their 

three children. Shirley was active in her community, involved in philanthropic efforts especially in the area of violence against women. 

Bill became Chairman of the North American 

International Auto Show. 

At 50, Shirley decided to accomplish one of 

her life’s goals and complete her bachelors 

degree. In 2007, she graduated with highest 

honors from Madonna University with a degree in sociology. Soon thereafter, Shirley applied and was accepted into the University of 

Michigan’s Gender Studies graduate program. 

Unfortunately, she never had a chance to earn 

her graduate degree. Sadly, Shirley Demmer 

died in November 2007. Shirley was a person 

of extreme warmth and caring. She touched 

the lives of many people in her community, 

and she is sorely missed. 

After her passing, Bill sought to learn everything possible about brain aneurysms. He 

found the incidence of brain aneurysms are 

often partly genetic and his mother-in-law had 

probably died from a ruptured brain aneurysm. 

Consequently, he ensured their children and 

Shirley’s siblings were screened for brain aneurysms. Thanks to these screenings, Shirley’s sister Nancy was found to have a brain 

aneurysm and underwent a successful 

craniotomy to save her life. In addition, her 

husband Bill provided a grant to establish the 

Shirley Dudek Demmer Chair of Research at 

the Brain Aneurysm Foundation to promote 

early detection of brain aneurysms. 

Fortunately, today there is a greater awareness of brain aneurysms and the danger they 

pose to Americans. Through the efforts of 

people like Bill Demmer and organizations like 

the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, our nation’s 

leaders have become involved in efforts to 

promote brain aneurysm awareness. For on 

September 26, 2008, Representative PATRICK

TIBERI (OH) introduced H. Res. 1511, which 

would express support for designation of the 

month of September as ‘‘National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month’’. 

Madam Speaker, today, as we remember 

the life of Shirley Demmer, I ask my colleagues to join me in mourning her passing 

and applauding the establishment of the Shirley Dudek Demmer Chair of Research. 

f 

IN HONOR OF TAIWAN NATIONAL 

DAY 

HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, October 2, 2008 

Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in 

order to celebrate with the Taiwanese on their 

National Day. 

This year, the Taiwanese people demonstrated to the world during their most recent 

Presidential election with a clear, ringing voice 

of freedom that they are a democratic people 

and a beacon of democracy to Asia and the 

world. 

The peaceful transfer of power between 

Presidents stood as a reminder that Taiwan is 

an important ally to the United States as they 

exemplify to that region democracy and rule of 

the people. Today, as the newly elected President Ma prepares to celebrate with his people, 

Taiwan’s National Day serves as a reminder 

that all who share the ideals of liberty enjoy 

the bonds of friendship and peace. 

Please join with me in congratulating Taiwan, both our friend and ally, and on their National Day. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE BUD 

CRAMER 

HON. MARION BERRY OF ARKANSAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, October 2, 2008 

Mr. BERRY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 

pay tribute to a fellow Blue Dog, a gracious 

friend, and a great American. 

Since 1991, this gentleman has served his 

home state of Alabama as an outstanding 

Member of Congress, and before that served 

our country as a member of the United States 

Army and Army Reserve. 

He has been a champion of child protection—reflecting his roots as founder of the National Children’s Advocacy Centre—and a true 

promoter of our space program. He is a longtime supporter of national defense measures, 

and a tireless advocate of fiscal responsibility. 

ROBERT EDWARD CRAMER, Jr.—our friend 

Bud—has plenty of folks both home in Huntsville and here in Washington, DC who admire 

and appreciate him, but I ask you to join me 

again today in congratulating him on a job well 

done and a journey well traveled. 

f 

CELEBRATING FILIPINO AMERICAN 

HERITAGE MONTH 

HON. BOB FILNER OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, October 2, 2008 

Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

to speak about a resolution that I have just introduced along with Congressmen HONDA, 

ISSA, and BOBBY SCOTT, my colleagues on the 


wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS