E48 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 8, 2009 

After the collapse of Germany, the 146th (C) 

Engineers, along with other engineer groups 

of V Corps were assisting with the debris 

clearance and the restoration of utilities of battered Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. In Pilsen, Captain Hill was named director of the XXII Corps 

Heavy Equipment School for approximately 65 

Czech civil engineers and equipment operators from the V, VII, and XXII Corps. Captain 

Hill was later given the title of Base Commander at one of several embarkation centers 

that were responsible for upgrading facilities 

for pending troop movement. While at the 

Biarritz American University in Southern 

France, he learned that he had received a 

Foreign Award, the Czech Military Medal. 

Upon returning home, Captain Hill was discharged on January 8, 1946. He began his civilian life and worked in the petroleum industry 

for 30 years. He and his wife, B.J. (now deceased), were married for over 50 years. 

Since April 1992, Mr. Hill has enjoyed his time 

as a volunteer at the National Legion of Valor 

Museum in Fresno, California, where he is 

also an honorary lifetime member. He became 

the museum Director in July 2001. From 

1995–1996, he also served as the American 

Legion Commander of Fresno Post No. 4. 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend 

and congratulate Arthur Hill upon his achievements. I invite my colleagues to join me in 

wishing Mr. Hill many years of continued success. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO I. BERNARD 

WEINSTEIN 

HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today 

to honor and pay tribute to the life of Dr. I. 

Bernard Weinstein for his significant accomplishments as a scientist, professor of medicine, physician, mentor, colleague, advisor, 

administrator, and humanitarian, who passed 

away on November 3, 2008 at the age of 78. 

Dr. Weinstein was a world authority in the 

fields of chemical carcinogenesis, cancer 

treatment and prevention, and a founder of the 

field of molecular epidemiology. His pioneering 

discoveries and visionary theories, including 

the breakthrough concept of ‘‘oncogene addiction,’’ opened up new frontiers in cancer research and led to the development of new, effective, life-saving therapies for patients. 

For more than 47 years, Dr. Weinstein was 

on staff at Columbia University Medical Center, where he also served as Frode Jensen 

Professor of Medicine, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences; Professor of Genetics 

and Development; and, for a decade, Director 

of the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer 

Center. In recognition of his groundbreaking, 

seminal scientific work, Dr. Weinstein received 

some of the most prestigious national and 

international awards in his field. Additionally, 

he was a fellow of the American Academy of 

Arts and Sciences, a member of the Institute 

of Medicine of the National Academy of 

Science, a fellow of the National Foundation 

for Cancer Research, and he served with 

great distinction as president of the American 

Association for Cancer Research. Dr. 

Weinstein also provided his renowned expertise and wisdom as a valued and respected 

member of many scientific advisory and editorial boards. 

In addition to his scientific discoveries, Dr. 

Weinstein also leaves a remarkable legacy as 

a mentor and a teacher, having helped train 

many generations of leaders in cancer and biological research. Dr. Weinstein guided and 

inspired scores of devoted students, who 

mourn the passing of this great scientist and 

remarkable man. It’s a loss also deeply felt by 

his family, to whom he was so loyal and so 

loving. 

In honor of this great American scientist and 

his commitment and contributions to the field 

of oncology, I express my gratitude to Dr. 

Weinstein for devoting his life to preventing 

and curing cancer. America mourns his passing while also celebrating his inspiring legacy. 

He is survived by his son Matthew, his two 

daughters Claudia and Tamara, and two 

grandchildren. 

f 

INTRODUCTION OF THE ARMED 

FORCES DISABILITY RETIREMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 

2009 

HON. STEVE BUYER 

OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. BUYER. Madam Speaker, today I am 

introducing the Armed Forces Disability Retirement Enhancement Act of 2009. This measure 

would simplify and streamline the daunting 

process injured men and women must endure 

when navigating the Department of Defense, 

DOD, disability retirement system. The system 

is too complex, and it is unfair to confront 

wounded warriors with such a mess when 

their focus should be on recovery and their 

loved ones. 

These systemic problems were identified 

more than 2 years ago when the President’s 

Commission on Care for America’s Wounded 

Warriors and the Veterans Disability Benefits 

Commission interviewed injured service members, but the problems have yet to be resolved. This bill would ensure that those found 

unable to serve would automatically receive 

military retirement benefits based on rank and 

years of service. This provision would resolve 

the ‘concurrent receipt’ issue, and it would replace confusing, piecemeal programs. 

Those found unfit for service would also 

automatically receive health and dental coverage. Currently, such eligibility hinges on the 

findings of a military physical evaluation board. 

Severely injured servicemembers undergoing 

the emotional and physical pain of recovery 

and rehabilitation should not have to endure 

the added, unnecessary worry as to whether 

physical evaluation board determinations will 

grant disability benefits. 

It’s well past time to eliminate these burdens 

for those who have already sacrificed dearly 

for our country. I call upon my colleagues on 

both sides of the aisle to address this difficult 

issue now rather than leaving it to future generations to resolve. 

HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE 

OF SENIOR CORPORAL NORMAN 

SMITH 

HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 

and service of Senior Corporal Norman Smith 

who died in the line of duty on January 6, 

2008. An 18-year veteran of the Dallas Police 

Department, Sr. Cpl. Smith spent his career 

bravely serving the residents of Dallas, TX. 

With a heavy heart, I pay tribute to him and 

the impact he made in our city. My condolences are extended to his family and his fellow officers who are mourning the loss of a 

husband, father and friend. 

Sr. Cpl. Smith, 43, joined the Dallas Police 

Department in 1991 and most recently served 

as a member in the Gang Unit for the past 12 

years. Deeply committed to stamping out the 

influence of gangs, he worked tirelessly to free 

neighborhoods crippled with violence, crime 

and drugs. He was instrumental in taking back 

neighborhood blocks long controlled by gangs 

in Dallas for years. His work in this area is 

now credited as a textbook case for Federal 

and local officials working to rid communities 

of criminal organizations. Throughout his career, he received numerous commendations 

and was honored as a Dallas Police Department Officer of the Year. 

There is no doubt that Sr. Cpl. Smith was 

not only exemplary of those who choose to 

serve and protect, but admired and deeply respected by all he met. He will be remembered 

for his strength of character, respect for all 

those he encountered and his deep commitment to his police work. He is described by his 

own Police Chief as having the ‘‘heart of a 

warrior.’’ Dallas has truly lost a hero, and we 

will forever remember the positive changes he 

brought to the community. His life was a testament to all that can be achieved through dedication to public service. 

My prayers are with his wife, Dallas Police 

Lieutenant Regina Smith, and his teenage son 

and daughter. He first met his wife while she 

was a young police officer, noting that she 

was the most beautiful woman he had ever 

seen. During the time they had together, there 

is no doubt there was much happiness and a 

unique shared passion for their life’s work. 

Madam Speaker, today we mourn the loss 

of one of Dallas’ finest—Sr. Cpl. Norman 

Smith. Our city is forever grateful for the sacrifice he has made in the line of duty. His legacy will live on in our hearts and in the community he served. 

f 

INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO 

AWARD DR. JOSEPH B. KIRSNER 

THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD 

MEDAL 

HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK OF ILLINOIS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, January 8, 2009 

Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I am proud to 

introduce this bill to award Dr. Joseph B. 

Kirsner the Congressional Gold Medal for his 


wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with REMARKS