[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 15, 1996)]
[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

                                 ______


                        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!

                          ____________________