[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E807-E808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

SERVICE ACADEMY GRADUATES, TOP ROTC HAVE EARNED A REGULAR COMMISSION

______

HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

of guam

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, May 15, 1996

Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend my colleagues in
the House National Security Committee for their support for my
amendment to H.R. 3230 in committee which restores the regular, active
duty commissions to graduates of the Military Academy--West Point--
Naval Academy--Annapolis--Air Force Academy and top Reserve Officer
Training Corps--ROTC--graduates.
As many of my colleagues know, I introduced this amendment as a bill,
H.R. 2016, of which Chairman Robert Dornan and Congressman Jack Reed
are original cosponsors. I am pleased that my colleagues supported the
amendment by voice vote when I offered it on May 1 in the committee.
As a result of a change in the fiscal year 1993 Department of Defense
authorization bill, beginning October 1, 1996, graduates of the
military service academies and top ROTC graduates will receive a
Reserve commission, instead of a regular, active duty commission. At
the time of the change, the rationale was that regular commissioned
officers received advantages over Reserve commissioned officers during
the drawdown. Subsequently, the services received permission from
Congress to subject regular officers to involuntary separation on the
same basis as officers with Reserve commissions.
The difference for officers between the two types of commissions has
become largely honorary, but it is an important incentive. Granting
regular commissions rewards the hard work and sacrifices of these top
graduates. Service academy and top ROTC graduates deserve the
recognition for their dedication and excellence.
The difference for Congress between the two types of commissions is
significant. Since it is easier to resign with a Reserve commission,
granting regular commissions to Service Academy graduates protects our
investment in them. It will also save taxpayer money spent on convening
boards to review the applicants for regular commission status. The
academies and the ROTC programs currently do a fine job of screening
unqualified officer candidates.
As the two Chambers go to conference on H.R. 3230, I urge my
colleagues to support the restoration of the regular, active duty
commissions. The Military Service Academy and top ROTC graduates have
earned a regular commission.

[[Page E808]]

NATIONAL LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

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HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

of new york

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, May 15, 1996

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the honor of participating
with some of our colleagues in front of the Capitol Building to help
call our country's attention to the devastating effects that Lyme
disease has on so many of our citizens and particularly on our young
children.
In my remarks at the rally I noted: We cannot permit the minds and
bodies of those who are stricken with Lyme disease to simply waste
away.
I had the pleasure of introducing as one of the principal speakers
Mr. Evan White, a 17-year-old resident of Wesley Hills in Rockland
County, in my own 20th Congressional District of New York. Evan was
diagnosed with Lyme disease 5 years ago. In 1993, he testified before
the Senate Labor and Human Relations Committee regarding the severe
impact Lyme disease had on his life.
As I stated at the rally regarding Evan and others like him: The grit
and courage that he and so many other young people like him have shown
challenge us to ensure that the resources to conduct research into this
disease are made available. For these young people, Lyme disease often
cuts them down and disables them in the prime of their years. Often,
they become ill and don't understand why--a condition that is very
fearful for a young child.
When Evan White was first diagnosed with Lyme disease at the age of
12, his life and that of his family were turned upside down. He was
confined to a wheelchair and unable to speak, read, or write for 3
years as he underwent painful rehabilitation and medical treatment.
Evan missed 4 years of schooling due to his illness, but his
perseverance in the face of this adversity is a lesson to us all. His
life, and the lives of others like him, challenge all of us to ensure
that the resources to conduct research into Lyme disease are made
available.
Speakers at the rally other than Evan underscored the importance of
Lyme disease research. Dr. Stephen E. Straus of the National Institutes
of Health announced the first intramural research on chronic disease
and infection affecting the brain. Dr. Duane J. Gubler of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention announced the establishment of a
task force. Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner, cofounder and chair of the Lyme
Disease Foundation, Dr. Joseph Burrascano of Long Island, Dr. Anthony
Lionetti of New Jersey, and the psychiatrist Dr. Richard Bransfield
made excellent presentations regarding progress in the fight against
Lyme disease. Ira Maurer, an attorney, discussed the plight of people
caught in the middle of health care containment and physicians trying
to practice good medicine, and Roberta Bethencourt, addressed the
social impacts of Lyme disease. Hillary MacDonald, the daughter of a
Lyme disease victim, informed us of the impact the disease had on her
family.
In addition, I was joined at the podium by a host of our colleagues
who had made names for themselves for their compassion and their
leadership in the Lyme disease crusade: Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Kennelly
of Connecticut; Mr. Smith and Mrs. Roukema of New Jersey; Mr. Vento of
Minnesota and Mrs. Lowey of New York. In addition, we were joined by
Senator Lieberman of Connecticut and Senators Bradley and Lautenberg of
New Jersey.
Mr. Speaker, I am inserting at this point in the Record the poignant
remarks made at our rally by Evan White:

Statement by Evan White

Hello. My name is Evan White. I'm 17 years old, and I have
Lyme Disease.
Five years ago, Lyme Disease took from me everything I
had--except my spirit. At twelve years old when I was first
diagnosed with Lyme, my life and my familys\1\ life changed
completely. Hampered by, headaches, severe neurological
damage and full body atrophy, I was confined to a wheelchair
and unable to speak, read or write for three years. Due to
this crippling disease I spent the next three years of my
life in the hospital, undergoing various painful
rehabilitation and medical treatments.
As my will strengthened during this, mentally and
physically draining my time, with my family's support I
testified to Senator Kennedy at a senate hearing on Lyme
Disease. Although I had great difficulty speaking I told the
Senator, that the children with Lyme could not think or sleep
and that we needed his help.
That was three years ago, after a year of antibiotic
treatment and endless rehabilitation and support from my
family, I'm fortunate enough to speak with you here today.
After much missed school, I now attend school full time and
hope to attend college in a year. Although I still have many
painful symptoms of Lyme, with your support I keep fighting
to someday be Lyme-free.
But I am here to talk about the children across the country
who suffer from Lyme Disease as I did. These children are
very sick, very scared and they need your help. The most
precious years of their lives are being robbed from a disease
which comes from a creature that is barely visible. They
can't be with their friends, go to school, play sports or
even have fun, believe me I know.
It isn't fair that such young children become so sick. It's
not fair that our parents should have to fight like soldiers
to ensure that our illness is taken seriously. So to Everyone
here today, to everyone in the government, help us, take Lyme
seriously. We have to and we can not survive without you.
The children of America are in danger! You must help us by
finding a cure now! Please don't forget us!

____________________