[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 9, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3686-S3687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING NATIONAL EMS WEEK

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, almost one year ago today, I came to 
the floor of the Senate to recognize a very important group of 
individuals: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.
  I would like to take some time again this year to applaud the 
selfless efforts of the men and women who dedicate themselves to such a 
worthy cause day in and day out. For most of us, it is hard to imagine 
going to work every day not having any idea what kind of tragic 
situations we may encounter or what kinds of dangers we might face. 
These dedicated individuals overlook these challenges every day and 
often imperil themselves to help those in need of medical attention.
  Unfortunately, especially given the important work they do, this 
group often goes unrecognized. I rise today in support of National EMS 
Week and want to recognize EMS personnel by celebrating their selfless 
efforts with thanks and gratitude. My praise comes early; while 
National EMS Week is observed during the third week in May, I felt it 
necessary to make these remarks today, as many EMS personnel will be 
honored this evening at a special reception held here in Washington, 
DC.
  Mr. President, this year's National EMS Week theme, ``New Century, 
New Hope,'' encourages a forward-looking, optimistic approach to 
identifying and meeting newly emerging community challenges. EMS is a 
complex, integrated system of personnel in both ambulances and 
hospitals that provides excellent care in emergency medical situations 
by affecting safe and efficient transport and treatment until more 
advanced medical care can be delivered. Importantly, EMS also includes 
the person who recognizes an emergency and summons help through a phone 
call to 9-1-1. This is the beginning of a very important chain of 
communication and care, which results in saved lives.
  During both the 105th and 106th Congresses, I have come to the floor 
of the Senate to introduce the Emergency Medical Services Efficiency 
Act, S. 911. This bill was a product of the Emergency Medical Services 
Advisory Committee that I formed in 1997 to evaluate some of the 
problems facing EMS providers. Because I believe there is an overriding 
public health interest in ensuring a viable and seamless EMS system, I 
continue to pursue passage of S. 911.
  This legislation attempts to create acceptable government standards 
for EMS providers and allows expansion in the next century to enable 
providers to better serve their local communities. A first priority 
included in my bill is for ``prudent layperson'' language to accompany 
the approval of EMS services under many medical plans, especially 
Medicare. One of the most fiscally disruptive forces is the denial of 
emergency transport due to a physician's reevaluation of what 
``seemed'' critical and is later labeled as being ``medically 
unnecessary.'' Portions of this legislation have already been approved 
by the Senate. In addition, S. 911 calls for EMS providers to play a 
role in the process of providing recommendations on how federal 
regulatory policy is made. I think this makes sense, and most 
importantly, it gives EMS providers a clear voice in identifying and 
finding a solution to the most challenging aspects of critical care 
delivery.
  On an annual basis, the American Ambulance Association recognizes EMS 
personnel from around the country for their selfless contributions to 
their profession, and presents them with the Star of Life Award. This 
year, 94 individuals were chosen by their peers to receive this 
prestigious award. I would like to personally thank those honorees for 
their service, and commend them on the respect they have generated for 
themselves and their profession amongst their peers and the public.
  Again, I would like to applaud the efforts of all EMS personnel. They 
have the sometimes unenviable task of cleaning up the messes that life 
affords every community, but they do it with pride and they do it well. 
I plan to do everything in my power to provide these individuals with 
the additional tools and loud voice that they have earned through their 
devotion to our local communities.
  Mr. President, I ask that the names of the year 2000 American 
Ambulance Association's Star of Life honorees be printed in the Record.
  The list of honorees follows:

           American Ambulance Association--2000 Stars of Life

       Dub Morris, Columbia County Ambulance Service, AZ.
       Barbara K. Clark, Rural/Metro--Southwest Ambulance, AZ.
       David Stockton, Rural/Metro--Southwest Ambulance, AZ.
       David Atkins, American Medical Response, CA.
       Rachelle Byler, American Medical Response, CA.
       Bert DeMello, American Medical Response, CA.

[[Page S3687]]

       Dennis Flannery, American Medical Response, CA.
       Darlene Heitman, American Medical Response, CA.
       Noella Lelham, American Medical Response, CA.
       Brian Pounds, American Medical Response, CA.
       Dennis G. Smith, American Medical Response, CA.
       Sheri Burcham, American Medical Response, CO.
       Michael Harvey, American Medical Response, CO.
       Jeffery Adams, American Medical Response, CT.
       Brooke Liddle, American Medical Response, FL.
       Pagona Pratt, American Medical Response, FL.
       Terri L. Brown, American Medical Response, GA.
       Bradley A. Melone, Mid Georgia Ambulance, GA.
       Lisa D. Scott, Rural/Metro Ambulance, GA.
       Danny Sagadraca, American Medical Response, HI.
       David Cole, Iowa EMS Association, IA.
       Wendy L. Hackett, MEDIC EMS, IA.
       Christine A. Hartley, Lee County EMS Ambulance, Inc., IA.
       Sandy Neyen, Iowa EMS Association, IA.
       Jim B. Steffen, Henry County Health Center EMS, IA.
       Andrew D. Stevens, MEDIC EMS, IA.
       Dan R. Walderbach, Henry County Health Center EMS, IA.
       Darin E. Longanecker, American Medical Response, IL.
       Daren T. Pfeifer, American Medical Response, KS.
       Michael Moree, Acadian Ambulance & Air Med Services, LA.
       Annette V. Mouton, Med Express Ambulance Service, Inc., LA.
       Jamie L. Richaud, Med Express Ambulance Service, Inc., LA.
       Joan Savoy, Priority Mobile Health, LA.
       Mary Williams, Priority Mobile Health, LA.
       Jamie J. Crawford, Lyons Ambulance Service, MA.
       Robert McDevitt, Action Ambulance, MA.
       Donna L. Moore, Lyons Ambulance Service, MA.
       James Scolforo, American Medical Response, MA.
       Alfred Theirrien, American Medical Response, MA.
       Gary Wright, Action Ambulance, MA.
       David L. Janey, Rural Metro Corporation, MD.
       Cindy Walker, American Medical Response, ME.
       Mandy Argue, American Medical Response, MI.
       Bryan A. Fuller, American Medical Response, MI.
       Steve Hazucka, Medstar Ambulance, MI.
       Scott Hicks, Medstar Ambulance, MI.
       Joseph Horvath, Huron Valley Ambulance, MI.
       Robert Martin, American Medical Response, MI.
       Wayne H. Mervau, North Flight, Inc., MI.
       Judy Pearson, American Medical Response, MI.
       Jack Taylor, Life EMS, MI.
       Robert Atzenhoefer, Gold Cross Ambulance, MN.
       Richard P. Humble, Metropolital Ambulance Service Trust, 
     MD.
       Scott Wolf, Metropolitan Ambulance Service Trust, MD.
       Jimmy H. Gill, American Medical Response, MS.
       Martha A. Branden, Mecklenburg EMS Agency, NC.
       Rolanda L. Collins, American Medical Response, NC.
       Littlejohn Goodwin, Mecklenburg EMS Agency, NC.
       Patricia Graham, Medical Transportation Specialists, Inc., 
     NC.
       John R. Tompkins, Mecklenburg EMS Agency, NC.
       Lee M. Van Vleet, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, NC.
       James G. White, FirstHealth of the Carolinas, NC.
       Darin B. Haverland, F-M Ambulance Service, ND.
       David Lacaillade, Rockingham Regional Ambulance, Inc., NH.
       Sylvia Riley, Rockingham Regional Ambulance, Inc., NH.
       Earl F. Gardner Jr., Med Alert Ambulance, Inc., NJ.
       John E. Romano, Rural/Metro Ambulance, NJ.
       Charlene Ortega, Living Cross Ambulance Service, Inc., NM.
       Patricia Beckwith, American Medical Response, NV.
       Robert E. Mann, Rural/Metro, NY.
       James Poole, Mohawk Ambulance Service, NY.
       Gaye Buckingham, Stofcheck Ambulance Service, OH.
       Roger Meir, Rural metro Ambulance, OH.
       Randy W. Benetti, Sr., Rural/Metro Fire Department, OR.
       Brett Gnau, Pacific West Ambulance, OR.
       Joseph D. Hyatt, Rural/Metrol Fire Department, OR.
       Kevin Lambert, Metro West Ambulance, OR.
       Paul Martin, American Medical Response, OR.
       Zane McKnight, Oregon State Ambulance Assn. & Medix 
     Ambulance, OR.
       Timothy Blackston, Cetronia Ambulance Corps., PA
       James Ralston, Rural/Metro Medical Services, PA.
       Wonda C. Pickler, Rural/Metro--Mid South, TN.
       Cheryl Barrett, Life Ambulance Services, Inc., TX.
       Michael DeBerry, LifeNet EMS, TX.
       Ben Kruse, American Medical Response, TX.
       Paul M. Rogers, Rural/Metro--MedStar, TX.
       Daniel L. Evans, Gold Cross Service, UT.
       Ryan D. Pyle, Gold Cross Service, UT.
       James D. Stevens, Gold Cross Service, UT.
       Lauren C. Challis, American Medical Response, VA.
       Colleen Gilman, Regional Ambulance Service, Inc., VT.
       Bradley C. Derting, American Medical Response, WA.
       Ron Stewart, Rural/Metro Ambulance, WA.
       Laurie Whitfield, American Medical Response--Pathways, 
     WI.

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