[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2004-S2005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DEATH OF LAUREN ALBERT

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, on February 18, 1999, Pennsylvania lost 
one of its finest citizens, with the death of Lauren Albert.
  I had the pleasure to know Mrs. Albert. She was the mother of three 
wonderful children, Stuart, Elliot, and Emily and the husband of one of 
Pennsylvania's finest orthopedic surgeons, Todd J. Albert, M.D. For 
seventeen years, Lauren had served at the side of Richard I. Rothman at 
the Rothman Institute and Reconstructive Orthopedic Associates. She was 
a leader in our community.
  As fate would have it, Lauren and her husband Todd were traveling 
with eight other Pennsylvanians, including my son Shanin and his wife 
Tracey. Also on the trip were Barbara and Richard Barnhart, Leslie and 
Al Boris and Jaimie and David Field.
  Lauren was killed when the Land Rover in which she was a passenger 
was caused to tumble down a mountainside of the High Atlas Mountains. 
Her husband and the Barnharts were passengers in the same vehicle.
  I was notified of the accident as soon as the party had access to a 
telephone. Contemporaneously, the Department of State, our Ambassador 
in Rabat, Edward Gabriel and our Consul general in Morocco, Evan G. 
Reade, Casablanca, were notified.
  Consul Reade, accompanied by other Embassy officials, immediately 
flew to meet the Americans in nearby Ouerzazate.
  Although Consul Reade had been in Morocco for only 8 months, he 
immediately assumed control of the situation and worked to solve 
complex and pressing problems.
  First, there was a significant question of the medical stability of 
the three surviving passengers. Consul Reade and I worked in tandem 
with the Department of Defense, particularly Colonel Joe Reynes, 
Executive Secretary to the Secretary of Defense. Over the next several 
hours, well through the night, local time, Colonel Reynes worked 
diligently to place a military medical aircraft in Europe on alert to 
fly to Morocco. An enormous amount of work was undertaken with our 
military's European command, the State Department, Moroccan officials, 
Consul Reade in Ouerzazate and Ambassador Gabriel in Rabat.
  In the final analysis, a medical evacuation was not needed. 
Nonetheless, it was most reassuring to know that our military could be 
counted upon to assist.
  Second, Consul Reade, working in connection with others in the State 
Department, were instrumental in accomplishing the rapid evacuation of 
the three injured passengers as well as the remainder of the party from 
Morocco. This was accomplished through detailed coordination and 
airport assistance for four commercial flights enabling all to return 
home safely by 5:30 p.m. on the following day.
  Third, Consul Reade arranged for the return of the body of Lauren 
Albert to Pennsylvania. For numerous reasons, this process is highly 
complicated. Consul Reade arranged, with the assistance of the Morocco 
officials, to have Mrs. Albert's body returned to Pennsylvania on 
Sunday, February 21, 1999. This permitted a timely funeral and burial, 
which was very important to the Albert family.
  Finally, I wish to recognize the superb assistance of Lt. Colonel 
Driss Ferar, Commandant of the Morocco Police in the Ouerzazate region. 
Colonel Ferar was notified of the accident within minutes. He sped to 
the scene in the High Atlas Mountains, an hour and

[[Page S2005]]

a half away from his headquarters. He immediately assumed control and 
effectuated the safe return of the party to Ouerzazate that night. 
Colonel Ferar made sure that the entire party was comfortable and led 
Dr. Albert, the tour director, and my son to his office which served as 
a center for all the operations that evening and well into the night. 
Colonel Ferar worked on the matter without interruption and without 
attending to any of his other important duties until 2:00 a.m. In 
addition to offering his valuable assistance in all aspects of this 
tragedy, Colonel Ferar was also unfailingly courteous and helpful. He 
had his family make dinner for all of the concerned, which was brought 
into the Police Headquarters. He offered his wisdom and counsel to Dr. 
Albert. Since the party has returned to the United States, Colonel 
Ferar has forwarded a gift to the Albert family. I am informed that 
Colonel Ferar has been of similar assistance to Americans who have 
suffered grievous injuries in this region of Morocco in the past. 
Colonel Ferar is to be highly commended for his commitment to duty and 
to the very personal human needs of all concerned.
  The tragic death of Lauren Albert leaves an indelible mark on the 
fabric of our community. Our prayers are with Dr. Albert and his 
family. We are grateful to the American and Moroccan officials, who 
accomplished everything possible to help with this tragedy and assure 
the safe and speedy return of our citizens.

                          ____________________