[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 128 (Tuesday, November 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO T. JEFFREY BANGSBERG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2006

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend and a 
true Minnesota hero, Jeffrey Bangsberg.
  Jeff will be retiring from full-time work this month, and it is 
fitting that we recognize the accomplishments this great Minnesotan has 
achieved and the perseverance and courage he has shown in the face of 
extraordinary challenges.
  Jeff suffered a spinal cord injury 30 years ago. While this injury 
left him in a wheelchair, he never gave up and became a tremendous 
advocate for expanding access to health care and other critical 
services for people with disabilities and the elderly.
  Since 1991, Jeff has brought his insight, passion and experience to a 
variety of important issues, including improving Social Security and 
the Medicare and Medicaid programs, especially for people living with 
disabilities.
  I have worked closely with Jeff for 26 years on a wide range of 
legislative initiatives in both the Minnesota State Senate and U.S. 
House of Representatives. Jeff was instrumental in the creation and 
implementation of groundbreaking legislation, including the first 
personal care attendant program in Minnesota, Metro Mobility, Medicaid 
for Employed Persons with Disabilities, and the Ticket to Work and Work 
Incentives Improvement Act.
  All of these monumental achievements are the result of Jeff's great 
heart and his passion for helping others. Over the years, Minnesota 
governors have appointed Jeff to several councils and commissions, 
including the Minnesota State Council on Disability, the Minnesota 
State Rehabilitation Council, the Minnesota Health Care Commission and 
countless advisory committees for the Minnesota Department of Human 
Services and the Minnesota Department of Health. He was also a 
presidential appointee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
  And in addition to all of these important commitments, Jeff also 
found time to serve as Government Relations Director for the Minnesota 
HomeCare Association. In this capacity, Jeff has effectively promoted 
home care services for seniors and people with disabilities at the 
local, state and federal levels. Because of his work, countless people 
are living independently and with dignity.
  Jeff is truly an extraordinary person, not only for his ability to 
overcome obstacles, but also in his dedication to knocking down 
barriers for others. Jeff understands that we all win when all 
Americans are empowered to live up to their full potential.
  As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, I have been 
grateful for Jeff's invaluable counsel, expertise and friendship over 
the years. While I could spend hours listing the many accomplishments 
of this tremendous individual, I can sum it all up by saying Jeff 
Bangsberg truly represents the best and the brightest, and I am honored 
to call him my friend.
  Congratulations, Jeff, on your well-deserved retirement, and best 
wishes to you and your wonderful wife, Anita.

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