[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF LT. COL. ROBERT L. REINLIE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Lt. Col. Robert L. Reinlie for his tireless fight for his fellow 
veterans.
  Lt. Col. Reinlie and the late William O. ``Sam'' Schism engaged Col. 
George ``Bud'' Day, Medal of Honor recipient and former POW, as their 
attorney. By becoming a plaintiff in a 1996 lawsuit, Lt. Col. Reinlie 
challenged the United States government to honor healthcare commitments 
made to WWII/Korea era military retirees.
  Lt. Col. Reinlie's extraordinary farsighted vision recognized the 
need for a plan to support his legal efforts. Lt. Col. Reinlie took it 
upon himself to begin organizing, what later became the Class Act 
Group.
  With untiring and aggressive pursuit, Lt. Col. Reinlie's efforts were 
extended into a nation-wide grass roots network that was instrumental 
in forging Congressional legislation favorable to military retirees. 
Lt. Col. Reinlie helped initiate this grass roots initiative through 
billboards, letter writing campaigns, demonstrations, phone and fax 
communication blitzes, meetings, marches, web sites, letters to 
editors, press releases, all geared to influencing Congressional 
attention. His dynamic and selfless leadership and commitment drove him 
to a presence in Class Act Group office spaces, even when extensive 
surgery was imminent and during extended rehabilitation.
  His tireless dedication served as a contributing and encouraging 
factor for his attorney, Col. Day, and the legal fight to the United 
States Supreme Court. This fight led by Lt. Col. Reinlie was a major 
contributing factor to the military retiree medical benefit now 
referred to as TRICARE for Life and The Senior Pharmacy Program. The 
WWII/Korea era military retiree fight is not over and Lt. Col. Reinlie, 
at the young age of 82, is still in the battle to honor his fellow 
veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I, on behalf of the United States Congress, salute Lt. 
Col. Reinlie. With the encouragement and significant contribution from 
his wife Marilyn, he reflects a great credit upon himself, our Nation, 
and the courage of soldiers that gave us the freedom we enjoy today. I 
offer my sincere thanks for all that he has done for Northwest Florida 
and this great Nation.

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