[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 181 (Tuesday, November 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING JANICE LANGBEHN, RECIPIENT OF THE 2011 PRESIDENTIAL CITIZENS 
                                 MEDAL

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 2011

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Janice 
Langbehn, a recipient of the 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal, one of 
our Nation's highest civilian honors.
  Each year, the President recognizes American citizens with the 
Presidential Citizens Medal who have taken exemplary steps outside of 
their daily lives to serve and improve their communities. Past honorees 
have addressed some of our nation's most persistent problems, such as 
hunger, homelessness, high school dropout rates, lack of access to 
health care, and several other pressing issues affecting the lives of 
millions of Americans. Citizen Medal honorees face challenging 
circumstances and act admirably while taking risks to help others. Out 
of over 6,000 nominees across the country, President Obama chose only 
thirteen recipients, including Janice Langbehn of Lacey, Washington.
  In 2007, while on vacation with their children, Janice's partner of 
18 years, Lisa Marie Pond, collapsed with a brain aneurysm. Lisa was 
rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center. When Janice 
and her children arrived, hospital officials refused to let Janice or 
her children see Lisa for eight long hours even though they had a power 
of attorney in hand. Lisa eventually slipped into a coma and passed 
away while her loved ones continued to fight to be by her side.
  Afterwards Janice brought a lawsuit against the hospital, which was 
dismissed in 2009, and then turned her experience into activism, 
fighting to make sure no partners or parents have to go through what 
their family experienced. Her story attracted the attention of 
President Obama, who revised hospital visitation rights for same-sex 
couples across the country. The executive order went into effect in 
January 2011 for any hospital receiving Federal Medicare or Medicaid 
funds.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House of Representatives 
please join me in recognizing Janice Langbehn for her efforts to 
improve equal treatment for all Americans and congratulate her for 
being honored with the 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal.

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