E 1062 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 17, 1995

II. In this case, the person will still be entitled

to only 6 months of presumptive disability benefits. In most States, while receiving SSI benefits, a person is eligible for Medicaid. Under

this proposal, claimants who would have been

eligible for SSI benefits, were it not for their

receipt of DI presumptive disability benefits,

would be deemed eligible for SSI, making

them eligible for Medicaid in those States

where SSI eligibility triggers Medicaid eligibility. When the final determination for DI benefits is made, the claimant loses the Medicaid

eligibility. Medicare will be provided to disabled workers and their dependents after they

have been receiving disability benefits for 24

months, including the time they were receiving

presumptive disability payments.

INTRODUCTION OF DIABETES

RESEARCH ACT

f

HON. ELIZABETH FURSE OF OREGON

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday May 17, 1995

Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, diabetes research is at a crossroads. Earlier this year,

leading scientists and researchers from across

America gathered in Washington, DC, at the

Capitol Summit on Diabetes Research to release the white paper. The white paper demonstrated that diabetes research has reached

a critical point, and that immediately increasing our focus could yield substantial and dramatic breakthroughs. Recent evidence indicates that a cure, or improvements in other

disease management techniques, are within

our reach to improve the quality of life for 14

million Americans who are affected by diabetes.

Today, along with Mr. NETHERCUTT, I am

proud to introduce the Diabetes Research Act.

This legislation would substantially increase

the funds available for diabetes research at

the National Institutes of Health. In light of the

scientific revelations brought forth by leading

researchers and endocrinologists, we must

adopt a long-term strategy to deal with the

problem of diabetes in America. As a nation,

diabetes and its tragic complications cost our

Nation over $100 billion every year. Everyday,

thousands of people go blind, have extremity

amputations, or develop heart disease as a result of diabetes. We can make a difference if

we only heed the call of the people who are

on the front lines fighting this dreadful disease.

The Diabetes Research Act answers that call.

I believe this bill could also be called the

Priorities Act of 1995. In order to balance the

budget and still invest in our Nation’s future,

we must have an open and honest discussion

with the American people about our priorities.

Tomorrow I am going to introduce three bills

to create budgetary savings of $1.5 billion, a

portion of which could be used to pay for increased diabetes research funds. In sum, I believe diabetes research should be a priority

and encourage my colleagues to follow my

lead and make recommendations on how to

pay for it.

My own daughter has diabetes. She is one

of millions of Americans who live with this disease everyday, and I am so proud of her. I am

also grateful to all the national diabetes organizations to gave their insight into the development of this legislation. I urge all my colleagues here in the House to cosponsor the

Diabetes Research Act, cosponsor a bill to

pay for it, and then let the thousands of people with diabetes in your community know you

are working for their future.

TRIBUTE TO CREW MEMBERS OF

THE SUGAR ISLAND FERRY BY

fTHE HONORABLE BART STUPAK

OF MICHIGAN

HON. BART STUPAK OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 17, 1995

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

offer my sincere congratulations to the crew

members of the Sugar Island ferry in Sugar Island, MI for their outstanding service to the

community.

Each year, civic groups on Sugar Island

choose an individual to recognize his or her

contributions to the community. This year,

however, the entire crew of the Sugar Island

ferry was chosen to be honored for their enormous efforts for the betterment of the Sugar

Island community.

The first regularly scheduled ferry to bring

cars to Sugar Island was the Service, which

began operation on July 1, 1928. On that day,

30 automobiles were transported from the island to the mainland of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It cost 45 cents for cars and 15 cents

for foot passengers to be carried across St.

Mary’s River. In addition to cars and trucks,

the ferry also carried horse-drawn wagons

during this period.

The Service, was in use until 1932, when it

was replaced by the Beaver. The Beaver ran

until 1937, when a second ferry, Scow No. 1,

was placed into service. Later rebuilt and

named Chippewa, that ferry was in use until a

larger, steel ferry with a 12 car capacity was

constructed. That ferry, the Sugar Islander,

built in 1947, is still in use today. The Sugar

Island ferry was privately-owned by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority

in 1979.

In 1994, 252,339 vehicles were transported

by the Sugar Islander. The ferry provides a

vital link from Sugar Island to the city of Sault

Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula. In addition

to its regular service, the ferry goes out of its

way to promptly transport emergency vehicles

and ambulance, fire and police personnel for

the benefit of Sugar Island residents.

Additionally, Mr. Speaker, the ferry is known

for its outstanding service. It operates every

half hour in good weather and bad, 365 days

a year. The highly dedicated crew works 11-

hour shifts, and I commend the crew members

of the Sugar Islander, for their unfailingly courteous and reliable service. Specifically, I would

like to congratulate the current members of

the Sugar Island ferry, including: Tom Stevens, Brian Dynes, Dan Cairns, Paul McCoy,

Derek Myerscough, Doug Bisdorf, Mike Patten, Tim Switzer, Don Soper, Jim Gort, Jr.,

and Rick Brown.

I know my colleagues join me in honoring

those crew members who enrich the lives of

Sugar Island residents, as well as visitors to

that Northern Michigan community.

YOUTH CANCER AWARENESS

HON. CHARLIE ROSE OF NORTH CAROLINA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 17, 1995

Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

bring to the attention of this body youth cancer

awareness.

More than 5 million living Americans have a

history of cancer. It is estimated that among

the 1 million people diagnosed with cancer

this year, half will die from this disease. In my

State of North Carolina alone, over 3,200 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year.

Even more alarming is the growth in reported cases of cancer in young people. Cancer is the No. 2 killer among our youth.

In my home State of North Carolina, the

month of April is ‘‘Cancer Awareness Month.’’

North Carolina has planned a number of

events to emphasize the importance of cancer

awareness. I would have like to have made

April ‘‘National Cancer Awareness Month.’’

However procedural changes will not permit

the offering of such a resolution.

Nonetheless, I would still like to increase the

public’s awareness of the degree to which

cancer affects young people. The key to finding a cure for cancer is in awareness of the

symptoms, the causes, and the best means to

address the problems raised by cancer. Increased volunteer participation and the promotion of education and research have had a

profound positive impact on discovering a

cure. We need to do more in this regard.

With the help of dedicated people like Miss

Leslie Cobb, a Jacksonsville, NC, teen cancer

activist, who fight this terrible disease everyday, we will eventually find a cure. I urge everyone to do all they can to inform our youth

about the risks of cancer.

LORETTA PONTICELLO HONORED

FOR LIFETIME OF SERVICE

f

HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, May 17, 1995

Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, it gives me

great pleasure to stand before my distinguished colleagues today to honor Ms. Loretta

Ponticello.

Its has been my observation that we are so

consumed with the problems and negativism

that plague our Nation that we sometimes forget about those who are working to solve

these problems. We ignore the heroes who

are right in our midst, choosing instead to talk

about the the bad news that dominates the

news.

This situation needs to be corrected. That’s

why I take this opportunity to honor one of

these heroes. She may not be featured in a

movie or on television, but there can be little

doubt that Loretta Ponticello is a hereo to all

who know her.

First, let me talk a little bit about Loretta’s

remarkable business career. By combining her

great aptitude for business with a high standard of integrity and diligence, Ms. Ponticello

has brought success wherever she has gone.

After graduating from the New Jersey College

for Woman—now Douglas College—she