[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 47 (Tuesday, April 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JAY CUTLER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 2005

  Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to the life of Jay B. Cutler--a dedicated advocate of mental health 
parity, a talented attorney, and a dear friend. Jay passed away on 
March 4, 2005 at the age of 74. He was a passionate and skillful 
advocate of the causes he believed in and was recognized as such by all 
his peers.
  A native of New York, Jay graduated from New York University, as a 
business major, and Brooklyn Law School. He served in the Korean War in 
Army Intelligence before moving to Washington, DC, where he dedicated 
his life to improving the treatment for persons suffering from mental 
illness and substance abuse. He began his career in Public Service 
Television production and for the former U.S. Senator Jacob Javits as 
Staff Director of the Senate's Human Resources Committee. He was the 
lead Senate staff member in the drafting, introduction and passage of 
the landmark Comprehensive Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, 
Treatment and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 (P.L. 91-616) that established 
the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
  Jay joined the American Psychiatric Association in 1978, to begin a 
25-year career as Director of Government Relations. He helped broaden 
Medicare coverage for the treatment of mental illness and blocked 
government efforts to steer mentally ill patients towards cheaper and 
less effective medications. Recognized for his remarkable dedication to 
the education about and destigmatization of mental illness not only to 
legislators, but also to the public, Jay's involvement helped to change 
the view of such issues in the public. Thanks to people like him, the 
Nation has made a remarkable transition from the long-held and 
destructive view that mental illness and substance abuse are character 
flaws. He advocated the idea that they are diseases which can and 
should receive the best treatment that medical sciences can provide. 
His commitment has been at the core of a profound shift in public 
awareness and understanding of these disorders.
  As an APA lobbyist, Jay had direct impact on virtually every major 
bill on health policy and mental illness and substance abuse treatment 
legislation over more than 25 years. The expansion of the Community 
Mental Health Centers Program, the exemption of psychiatric hospitals 
and units from the Medicare prospective payment methodology, ensuring 
their fiscal viability for nearly 20 years, and the increased funding 
for veterans', children's and Indian mental health services are among 
the numerous legislative achievements Jay carried on in his career. His 
role in passing mental health legislation was well depicted in Eric 
Redman's book, The Dance of Legislation, which followed the development 
of the National Health Service Corps. It featured Jay as one of its 
subjects and it makes clear with regards to this major legislation that 
a great deal would not have happened without his dedication.
  Over the years, Jay Cutler became synonymous with the cause of mental 
health parity and was well known by many Members of Congress. By 
combining his tremendous experience with a charm and wit that he 
generously shared with all whom he encountered, Jay was extremely 
effective. Because of his relentless efforts, millions of Americans 
received better care. His commitment to protecting patient 
confidentiality and broadening coverage for psychiatric and substance 
abuse treatment make him a role model for others to emulate.

  Jay was not only a committed and effective advocate; he was an 
excellent teacher. It was my great privilege to work closely with Jay 
on numerous occasions and learn from his immense knowledge. He taught 
me a great deal about mental health policy and the history of 
behavioral health. And I can assure you that every lesson from Jay 
Cutler, just like every encounter of any kind with Jay Cutler, was a 
joy.
  While being always at the forefront of efforts to eliminate 
discrimination against mental illness, Jay remained a loving husband 
and father. He understood the importance of being a doting father and 
grandfather, as well as a devoted husband. As in his professional 
activity, Jay Cutler was respected and appreciated by his friends and 
relatives.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing condolences to Jay's 
wife, Randy, his two daughters, Hollie S. Cutler and Perri E. Cutler, 
and his granddaughter, Makayla Lipsetts. We are deeply saddened by his 
death, and we are warmed by the memory of his remarkable life.

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