EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

January 3, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2387 

HONORING THE WEST HAVEN 

HEAD START PROGRAM ON ITS 

30TH ANNIVERSARY 

HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO OF CONNECTICUT

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Saturday, January 3, 2009 

Ms. DELAURO. Madam Speaker, it is my 

great pleasure to rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to the West Haven Head 

Start Program as they celebrate their 30th anniversary. Over the course of the past three 

decades, the West Haven Head Start Program 

has empowered thousands of our youngest 

children by ensuring that they are prepared 

with the tools and skills they need as they 

enter elementary school. 

We all know how important early childhood 

education is to our children. Study after study 

has shown that in their first 3 years children 

develop the foundation for their language, social-emotional, and brain development. Everything we have seen points to the fact that 

quality education and early engagement—from 

parents and teachers alike—are fundamental 

to the future success of our children. Head 

Start was built on that foundation and there is 

no greater example of its impact on our children and families than the West Haven Head 

Start Program. 

The Head Start Program, here in West 

Haven and across the country, has become 

the cornerstone of our efforts to close the 

achievement gap, combat poverty, and provide every child with the opportunity to thrive. 

Housed at the West Haven Community 

House, West Haven’s Head Start Program 

provides services to hundreds of preschool 

children from disadvantaged families every 

year. Parents are engaged through regular 

parenting classes, peer networking, and special family events. Children participate in arts 

and crafts, individual and group play, and literacy activities designed to promote physical, 

mental, social, and emotional development. I 

have had the opportunity to visit this program 

many times during my time in Congress and 

I cannot begin to describe the excitement of 

these children—their desire to learn and ability 

to absorb all the information around them are 

extraordinary. The Head Start Program provides them with an opportunity that may otherwise not be available to them. To give these 

youngsters the gift of knowledge is invaluable 

and I could not be more proud of the work that 

is done at the West Haven Head Start Program. 

Thirty years—this is a remarkable milestone 

for this outstanding program and to support 

their efforts has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my time in Congress. The West Haven Head Start Program 

has made all the difference in the lives of 

countless children and their families. As they 

mark their 30th year, I am honored to have 

this opportunity to congratulate program director Linda Michaels, as well as her staff and 

wish them all the best for continued success. 

f 

RECOGNIZING THE LIFESAVING 

WORK OF THE OFFICE OF THE 

ATTENDING PHYSICIAN 

HON. MIKE PENCE OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Saturday, January 3, 2009 

Mr. PENCE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 

honor and thank the doctors and nurses in the 

Office of the Attending Physician for their work 

in saving the life of one of my staff members, 

Matt Lloyd, on the afternoon of October 8, 

2008. After getting an allergy shot in the U.S. 

Capitol building, Matt had an anaphylactic reaction to an allergy shot that caused him to require immediate medical attention. His blood 

pressure dropped to 60 over 40 and his pulse 

was 40 beats per minute and dropping. He 

had very little time left to live. 

Thanks to the quick reaction and medical 

professionalism of Dr. Rob Summerlee, nurses 

Susan Deans, Lara Crouch, Jean Larson, 

corpsmen Tom Wolff, David Short and Tre 

Sutherland, Matt is still with us today. Had 

each of these professionals, particularly Dr. 

Summerlee, not reacted in an urgent manner 

with care and precision, not to mention the 

correct decision, there is no question Matt 

would have died. 

Too often we take the sacrifice and expertise of those who serve us in the medical field 

for granted. Yet we are reminded, as in Matt’s 

case, that they must handle an enormous 

amount of pressure when someone’s life is 

dependent on them making the correct split 

second decision. 

I thank God for placing these good men and 

women in the nurse’s station in the Capitol the 

day Matt had this reaction and owe them a 

debt of gratitude for saving his life. 

f 

PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. BART GORDON OF TENNESSEE

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Saturday, January 3, 2009 

Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam 

Speaker, on rollcall 689 and 690, I would have 

voted Aye, but family responsibilities kept me 

from the Chamber. I believe enactment of this 

legislation would have helped the people of 

Tennessee. Due to a miscommunication on 

which vote was pending, my staff released inaccurate information to the press that I was in 

the Chamber and attempted to vote. I regret 

the confusion and want the RECORD to reflect 

my support for both measures. 

IN RECOGNITION OF JACK AND 

DOLLIE HARVEY’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY 

HON. JOHN BOOZMAN 

OF ARKANSAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Saturday, January 3, 2009 

Mr. BOOZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in 

recognition of the 40th Anniversary of Jack 

and Dollie Harvey. Their commitment to each 

other as well as to their community is something we can all be proud of. 

Over those 40 years, they have worked together to help others. Their romance was born 

out of tragedy with each of them being widowed at a young age. Instead of dwelling on 

the hardships they faced in losing a loved one 

and, eventually, the challenges of merging 

their two families, they became more mindful 

of the needs of those around them. They 

helped rebuild after the 1976 Teton Dam collapse; ‘‘adopted’’ the homeless; taught at a juvenile detention center; ministered in migrant 

camps throughout the Southwest; volunteered 

at a community recreation center; counseled 

the terminally ill and their families; organized 

and managed summer camps for children 

from low-income families; entertained at nursing homes, state hospitals and city missions; 

and gave their time, money and energy to 

every opportunity for service that came their 

way. 

Like many other Americans their age, the 

Harveys have to stretch their Social Security 

check to cover their monthly expenses. But 

they don’t worry so much about paying the 

bills. Quite often, their biggest concern is just 

finding the energy to breathe. Jack, 78, who 

suffers from a chronic respiratory disease, and 

Dollie, 71, a cancer survivor tethered to oxygen, squeeze their numerous doctors’ appointments and her frequent transfusions and injections into a hectic schedule devoted to ministering to others. 

Sundays are busy days for the couple, 

teaching Sunday school, practicing for Christmas programs and guest preaching, their efforts continue to make a difference and inspire 

all of those who meet them. Their lessons 

have not been lost on their eight children, 16 

grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, 

who include ministers, educators, law enforcement personnel, healthcare professionals, a 

social worker, military members and Arkansas 

and U.S. government officials. 

Jack and Dollie long ago adopted the motto 

not to pass on peacefully but to charge ahead 

helping others until they drop—exhausted and 

totally spent—into the grave. Truly, it is this 

kind of commitment, this type of dedication, 

that makes America great. 


SMARTINEZ on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS