[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18184-18185]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE LIFE OF JACK BRESCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2012

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I am writing to honor the life of John 
``Jack'' Edward Bresch, a long time health advocate who worked with us 
in Congress to improve our health care system--especially focusing on 
access to care for lower income children and families. Jack passed away 
on September 1, 2012 surrounded by family, under the care of hospice, 
after a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
  I first got to know Jack through his work as a lead lobbyist for the 
Catholic Health Association. He served as a key component of CHA's 
government affairs team from 1983 to 2000. A highlight of his time at 
CHA was to work closely with then First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and 
her White House team to develop and promote a plan for reforming the 
nation's health care system. He then went on to work for the American 
Dental Education Association until the time of his death.
  In both of these positions, Jack was a tireless advocate for 
improving our health care system so that everyone has access to 
affordable, quality health care. With the dental schools, he was 
especially focused on improving access to dental care for low-income 
children. This is a serious problem in our country that was spotlighted 
by the wrongful death of twelve-year old Demonte Driver of Maryland. 
Demonte was on Medicaid and died after complaining of a toothache when 
his mother could not find a dentist who would accept Medicaid to treat 
him. While they tried to find a dentist, his infection spread to his 
brain and he tragically died. Jack didn't want any more Demonte Drivers 
and he worked relentlessly for improvements in Medicaid to prevent this 
from happening again. He first helped make some incremental 
improvements to the law, but was most pleased when the Affordable Care 
Act became the law of the land--and was upheld by the Supreme Court.
  Looking forward, affordable, quality health care will finally be a 
reality for all American families. And, thanks in no small part to 
Jack's efforts, pediatric dental care is an essential health benefit 
that must be covered by qualified health plans.

[[Page 18185]]

  Jack and I shared a fundamental commitment to social justice, though 
I must admit that the roots of our commitment developed differently. 
Jack began his adult life as a Catholic priest and went on to serve as 
a Navy Chaplain during the Vietnam War. He left the priesthood many 
years ago, but he never wavered from his steadfast belief in social 
justice. He carried that forward in his career, his life, and his 
relationships.
  Jack was a common figure to see barge into your office, join a 
meeting, or run into in the hall. He always had a big smile on his 
face. If I had to use one word to describe Jack, it would be 
gregarious. He seemed larger than life and was so full of positive 
energy.
  Jack leaves behind a loving family that includes his wife, JoAnn; his 
children, Mary Elizabeth, James Richard, and Jeffrey John; and 10 
grandchildren who all knew how much their grandfather loved them. He 
also leaves behind many colleagues and friends who are grateful to his 
commitment to our nation's health and who will miss him dearly.
  Jack's final honor will be buried with full military honors at 
Arlington National Cemetery on January 24, 2013.

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