January 8, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E49 

outstanding work in the medical field of gastroenterology. 

The son of Russian immigrants, Kirsner 

overcame adversity as a young man and graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine 

at the top of his class. He went on to earn his 

medical degree at the University of Chicago. 

While training in Chicago, he became an expert in gastroenterology and helped to make 

the University of Chicago the premier center 

for research and therapy of inflammatory 

bowel disease. His leadership and research 

led to unprecedented medical advances in the 

field of gastroenterology, enhancing the lives 

of people across the world. 

Despite his devotion to his research, Kirsner 

was compelled to join the armed forces in 

World War earning a third Battle Star in the 

battle of the Philippines before serving under 

General Douglas MacArthur in Japan. Following the war, Kirsner became a full Professor of Medicine at the University of Chicago. During his time as a Professor, he published over 700 papers and 15 books, and 

gave over 25 named lectureships. He has 

served as a leader on a number of boards and 

foundations, such as the National Institutes of 

Health, the American Gastroenterological Association and the Chicago Medical Society. 

Despite all of his world-renowned successes, 

he continues to provide personal care to patients from across the country. 

Dr. Kirsner, a World War II veteran and devoted civil servant to the field of medicine, has 

lived his life in service to others, deserving of 

national recognition for his honorable contribution to our country. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN OF SOUTH DAKOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, 

I regret that I was unable to participate in two 

votes on the floor of the House of Representatives on January 7, 2009. 

The first vote was H.R. 35, to amend chapter 22 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known as the Presidential Records Act, to 

establish procedures for the consideration of 

claims of constitutionally based privilege 

against disclosure of Presidential records. Had 

I been present, I would have voted yea on that 

question. 

The second vote was H.R. 36, to amend 

title 44, United States Code, to require information on contributors to Presidential library 

fundraising organizations. Had I been present, 

I would have voted yea on that question. 

f 

HONORING THE DISTINGUISHED 

SERVICE OF BOB WATERSTON 

HON. JIM COSTA OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

along with my colleagues from California Mr. 

RADANOVICH and Mr. NUNES to pay tribute to 

the distinguished public service of Bob 

Waterston. After 8 years with the Fresno 

Board of Supervisors, including two as Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Mr. Waterston is retiring as Supervisor for the 5th District in Fresno County, California. We thank him for his 

hard work on behalf of the county. 

Bob is a lifelong Fresno native. Prior to embarking on his distinguished career with Fresno County, Bob was a twenty-nine year veteran of the Fresno Fire Department serving 4 

years as a firefighter, 8 years as a driver and 

17 years as a fire captain. He also served on 

the Clovis City Council as an elected member 

and then as a Mayor Pro Tem. Bob has also 

been a State certified paramedic for 24 years. 

His professional career includes Board Certified Advanced Cardiac Life Support and 

Basic Life Support Affiliate Faculty for the 

American Heart Association. Most recently he 

became a California State licensed Contractor 

specializing in swimming pool construction and 

has maintained his commitment to the community as a County Supervisor all while managing his home business. 

Bob Waterston’s involvement in his community has been far-reaching, ranging from 

Chairman of the America Health Walk in 1998 

to the Fandango Advisory Board Committee in 

1999 and as Community Advisor for the Junior 

League of Fresno in 2000 and 2001. Bob 

served on Community Services for the California League of Cities, and he was an Executive Board Member of the Sequoia Council 

Boy Scouts of America in 2004. Bob has also 

given back to his fellow firefighters by serving 

as a past Chairperson for the CPR Committee 

with the Central Valley Fire Agencies, and he 

is a founder of the annual ‘‘Firefighters Creating Memories’’ program at the Fresno District Fair. 

Throughout his distinguished career, Bob 

Waterston has served on numerous boards 

and has given back to his community. He 

served on the board of directors of the Fresno 

Business Council, the Economic Development 

Corporation of Fresno County and the Fresno 

Regional Foundation. He is also a member of 

the ‘‘Make a Wish’’ Foundation, the American 

Heart Association Board of Directors, and the 

Public Education Committee for the Fresno 

City Fire Department. He is also a past board 

member for the Fresno Firefighters Association Benefit Fund and the South San Joaquin 

Division Committee on California League of 

Cities. 

Bob’s accomplishments were recognized as 

early 1989, when he was awarded the first 

Fresno Fire Department Employee of the 

quarter. He was also honored by Governor 

George Deukmejian for ‘‘Recognition in Excelling in the Performance of Duty.’’ In 1996 Bob 

was honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars 

as Peace Officer of the Year, and he was honored by Exceptional Parents Unlimited for his 

efforts to ‘‘Silence the Violence.’’ 

I commend Bob for dedicating his life to his 

family and his community. His accomplishments have touched the lives of many, and his 

impact on our community will be long remembered. I extend my best wishes for his continued health, happiness, and service. Bob 

Waterston is a distinguished member of the 

community, and it is with great pleasure that 

I recognize him today. 

INTRODUCTION OF THE PROTECTING CONSUMERS THROUGH 

PROPER FORBEARANCE PROCEDURES ACT 

HON. JOHN D. DINGELL 

OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, today I am 

reintroducing the Protecting Consumers 

Through Proper Forbearance Procedures Act. 

This legislation, which I also introduced during 

the 110th Congress, is intended to correct persistent procedural problems created by two 

words in the Communications Act of 1934, as 

amended. I urge all my colleagues to join me 

in supporting this common sense legislation. 

Section 10 of the Communications Act permits a telecommunications carrier to file a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking the FCC to forbear from 

applying certain statutory or regulatory requirements to it. In turn, the FCC may grant 

forbearances if it finds that doing so is in the 

public interest. 

As I have stated in the past, the Congress 

certainly has the prerogative to create a statutory regime that permits a regulatory agency 

to forbear from applying a statutory requirement, so long as the agency finds that consumers will continue to be protected and well 

served. What is problematic about this circumstance is that the Communications Act 

states that the carrier’s petition will be 

‘‘deemed granted’’ if the FCC does not act 

within a prescribed timeframe. In simpler 

terms, if the FCC cannot agree on the merits 

of a petition, it is automatically granted. 

We must act to correct this untenable situation for two reasons. First, in the case of a petition that is ‘‘deemed granted’’ without an accompanying written order, it is impossible for 

the Congress or the courts to ascertain the 

scope of relief granted or the legal rationale 

supporting the FCC’s action. This makes it difficult for the Congress to conduct proper oversight of the implementation of the Communications Act, as well as oversight of the telecommunications industry. 

Second, the ‘‘deemed granted’’ language 

leads to unsound decision-making at the FCC. 

When faced with contentious and complicated 

issues, which are often the subject of these 

petitions, the FCC now routinely waits until the 

last moment to make a decision. At the same 

time, the threat of an automatic grant of forbearance hovers over the proceedings. It is 

unlikely that such a disjointed process results 

in public policy that benefits consumers. 

The Communications Act, as amended by 

this bill, would still permit carriers to seek forbearance, which the FCC may also still grant. 

However, by removing the ‘‘deemed granted’’ 

language from statute, we will vastly improve 

the ability of the Congress and the courts to 

conduct appropriate oversight, better protect 

consumers, and restore transparency to the 

decision-making process. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. 


wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS