Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, June 23, 2022 — Introduction of the Veterans Equal Access Act
Summary
This Extensions of Remarks section of the Congressional Record (E664 and E665, June 23, 2022) carries remarks including a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Tulare-Kings Police Academy at the College of the Sequoias. Higgins speaks on National Scleroderma Awareness Day, Blumenauer introduces the Veterans Equal Access Act, and Suozzi recognizes Shetal Shah for advocacy in support of children's health. Cartwright honors Peter Pettinato, who will be named the UNICO National President, and Garamendi introduces the Defense Access Roads Improvement Act.
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“Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, June 23, 2022 — Introduction of the Veterans Equal Access Act.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2022-06-23-crec-2022-06-23-pt1-pge664-3-d070acb53f/
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E664 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 23, 2022
Since its inception in 1962, the Tulare-Kings should not be denied the ability to offer a rec- families, and support networks.’’ The Founda-
Police Academy has been a vital part of train- ommendation that they think may meet the tion provides resources including research up-
ing our future law enforcement officers in the needs of their patients. dates and support groups. The National
Central Valley. The program initially began its Veterans should not be forced outside the Scleroderma Foundation is focused on build-
operations out of the Tulare County Sheriff’s VA system to seek treatment that is legal in ing a sense of community and solidarity for
Office and trained future recruits there for over their state. those living with Scleroderma.
a decade. The Veterans Equal Access Act would allow I am proud to join the National Scleroderma
In 1973, the program moved to the College VA doctors and healthcare providers to give Foundation in recognizing June 2022 as Na-
of the Sequoias campus in Visalia, providing their opinions or recommendations on medical tional Scleroderma Awareness Month and
even more access to young students looking cannabis and to complete forms in compliance celebrating National Scleroderma Awareness
to enter a career of public service. The pro- with state-legal medical marijuana programs. Day on June 29, 2022. Throughout this month,
gram spent nearly forty years at the Visalia I look forward to working with my co-lead, the National Scleroderma Foundation is pro-
campus, with dozens of students graduating Representative BRIAN MAST, and my col- moting the ‘‘#tealforscleroderma’’ campaign.
each year eager to begin protecting and serv- leagues in the House and Senate to enact this To show support for those living with
ing the Central Valley. In 2010, the program legislation and provide equal access to state- Scleroderma and raise awareness about the
made its most recent move into a state-of-the- legal medical cannabis for our veterans partici- disease, on June 29th, lights on the Peace
art facility on the Hanford College of the Se- pating in VA health care. Bridge, Niagara Falls, and The Electric Build-
quoias campus. f ing in Buffalo will turn teal.
After sixty years of operation, the Tulare- It is due to the efforts of individuals like Ms.
Kings Police Academy has produced over 150 RECOGNIZING NATIONAL Amy Gietzen that I speak on this matter today.
graduating classes from its programs across SCLERODERMA AWARENESS DAY I thank Ms. Gietzen for her perseverance in
three different campuses. These men and the face of this disease and her tireless work
women have gone on to protect our commu- HON. BRIAN HIGGINS advocating for scientific advancements, and I
nities throughout the Valley. Their service has OF NEW YORK ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing
been a consistent display of duty, honor, and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the courageous work of Ms. Amy Gietzen and
commitment to their communities—all traits in- Thursday, June 23, 2022 the National Scleroderma Foundation and go
stilled into them by the Tulare-Kings Police #tealforscleroderma.
Academy. Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speak-
f
I ask my colleagues in the United States er, today I rise to honor the estimated 300,000
House of Representatives to join me in cele- Americans living with Scleroderma, an auto- RECOGNIZING DR. SHETAL SHAH,
brating the 60th anniversary of the Tulare- immune disease for which there is currently no MD, FAAP
Kings Police Academy at the College of the cure, and we are unsure of its cause. The ac-
Sequoias. tions of individuals like Amy Gietzen and orga- HON. THOMAS R. SUOZZI
f
nizations such as the National Scleroderma OF NEW YORK
Foundation have helped—and will continue to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
INTRODUCTION OF THE VETERANS help—the community of individuals affected by
EQUAL ACCESS ACT Scleroderma spread awareness about this dis- Thursday, June 23, 2022
ease and work to advance research on a cure. Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, as I near the
HON. EARL BLUMENAUER Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that end of my Congressional public service, I rise
OF OREGON affects connective tissue and the vascular sys- today to recognize my constituent Dr. Shetal
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
tem through the excess production of col- Shah, MD, FAAP of Syosset, New York for his
lagen. A localized version of the disease can sustained and expert advocacy in support of
Thursday, June 23, 2022 cause thickening and scarring of connective children’s health. During my tenure rep-
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today tissue, or fibrosis, in small areas of the skin. resenting New York’s third Congressional Dis-
I introduced the Veterans Equal Access Act. Scleroderma can also be systemic and result trict, Dr. Shah has been an indispensable re-
This legislation would provide equal access to in fibrosis in the internal organs. Scleroderma source to my office—and the entire Long Is-
state-legal medical marijuana for veterans par- can affect almost anyone and results in issues land Congressional Delegation, on issues re-
ticipating in Department of Veterans Affairs with the skin, muscles, joints, blood vessels, lated to children.
(VA) health care by ending the harmful VA and in some cases, the heart, lungs, and As former Legislative Chairman of the Long
prohibition on doctors and healthcare pro- esophagus. The disease is progressive, pre- Island Chapter of the American Academy of
viders giving opinions or recommendations on sents differently in every individual, and, in Pediatrics and an expert in the intricacies of
or completing forms for state-legal medical many cases, can be terminal. children’s health insurance, Dr. Shah worked
marijuana programs. Amy Gietzen, born and raised in Buffalo, with my office to staunchly defend the gains in
The cannabis laws in this country are bro- NY, was diagnosed with Scleroderma when children’s health insurance coverage made as
ken, including our laws that govern veterans’ she was just 19 years old and has been living a result of passage of the 2010 Patient Pro-
access to medical cannabis. Many veterans with the diagnosis ever since. Today, Ms. tection and Affordable Care Act. His vigorous
report using cannabis for medical purposes as Gietzen is on the Board of Directors for the advocacy, in partnership with several national
a substitute for prescription drugs. The VA Na- Buffalo chapter of the National Scleroderma medical organizations, assisted our office and
tional Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Dis- Foundation, and she serves as the Chair of other members of New York State’s Congres-
order (PTSD) has acknowledged that veterans the Patient Education and Support Committee. sional Delegation in preserving core provisions
use cannabis to relieve symptoms of PTSD, In addition to her involvement with the Na- of this landmark legislation, including the ex-
and that in many states, PTSD is a qualifying tional Scleroderma Foundation, Ms. Gietzen is pansion of Medicaid and pediatric-specific te-
condition for enrollment in medical cannabis a columnist for the online publication nets of the essential health care benefits pack-
programs. Scleroderma News. She also travels across age.
Most states with state-legal medical can- the country to speak publicly about her experi- He has also worked to ensure reauthoriza-
nabis programs require some sort of rec- ences with Scleroderma and her personal tion of the Children’s Health Insurance Pro-
ommendation or approval from a medical pro- medical journey. In her quest to raise aware- gram, which in New York insures almost
vider for patients to enroll in the program. ness for the disease, Ms. Gietzen has made 750,000 of our state’s children. Dr. Shah has
However, VA policy prevents VA physicians it a priority to share her personal story and been a vocal supporter of the need to reau-
and care providers from any participation, in- support others who receive a Scleroderma di- thorize this program since its inception and
cluding helping with the required paperwork or agnosis. worked with myself and fellow members of
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS
forms. Organizations like the National Scleroderma Congress to reauthorize this incredibly suc-
This forces veterans to seek care outside of Foundation are similarly working to support cessful program again in 2018, safeguarding
the VA system to receive medical cannabis those living with the disease. The National health coverage and access for all children
recommendations, which can interrupt con- Scleroderma Foundation was founded in 1998 covered by Child Health Plus.
tinuity of care, lead to mistakes or gaps in to ‘‘advance medical research, promote dis- A national pediatric leader in advocacy and
care, and require veterans to pay out of pock- ease awareness, and provide support and child health policy. He has articulated the im-
et for addition physician visits. VA physicians education to people with scleroderma, their portance of providing robust federal funding
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June 23, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E665
for major programs which impact children For this work with my office, his leadership, Peter has dedicated his life to the service of
across Long Island and the nation. These in- dedication and service to the members and others and is actively involved in his commu-
clude the Children’s Hospital Graduate Med- children of the Long Island Chapter of the nity in addition to his work with UNICO. He is
ical Education program, the PREEMIE Act, American Academy of Pediatrics, the chapter a past president of the Northeastern PA Vet-
and the Emergency Medical Services for Chil- received the coveted 2020 Outstanding Chap- erinary Medical Association and past president
dren Act. His worked has been a supporter of ter Award during his presidency, their first of the Board of Trustees of the Carbondale
legislation to increase access to pediatric sub- such award in over 57 years. Public Library. He also participates in bringing
specialty care and provide loan repayment to Madam Speaker, as I prepare to leave Con- theatrical productions to life in the region. He
pediatric subspecialty physicians who care for gress, I wish to thank constituents like Dr. has served as president of both the Area
patients from medically underserved areas in Shah for volunteering his time, passion and Community Theater and the Coal Company
those branches of medicine. energy to provide advice on children’s health Theater. He is the founder and president of
Through lectures and scholarly articles in issues. He serves as an example of how the Royal Mutineers: A Fairly Talented The-
the medical literature, Dr. Shah also outlined strong partnerships between engaged rep- ater Company, and he is a member of the Ritz
the need to modernize the Vaccines for Chil- resentatives and local experts in their districts Company Players.
dren Program, advocating for legislation that can achieve better health for children. He has I am honored to congratulate Peter as he
would create incentives for more physicians to been among my most trusted advisors over takes on this leadership role with UNICO Na-
participate and provide routine childhood im- the past 6 years on Medicaid, vaccinations tional. May he have a successful and fulfilling
munizations. This work closely aligned with his and all aspects of child health policy. I take tenure as president during which I know he
work to increase Medicaid payments to those this opportunity to congratulate him, and the will lead with intention and integrity.
of Medicare, creating more equity for children Long Island Chapter of the American Acad- f
throughout our federal healthcare system. emy of Pediatrics for their dutiful work on be-
Throughout the COVID pandemic, Dr. Shah half of our children. INTRODUCTION OF THE DEFENSE
had served as a leader in the state on the pe- f ACCESS ROADS IMPROVEMENT
diatric implications of the pandemic. At the ACT
pandemic’s onset, Dr. Shah—now serving as RECOGNIZING DR. PETER
PETTINATO, VMD, ON BEING
President of New York Chapter 2 of the Amer-
NAMED THE UNICO NATIONAL
HON. JOHN GARAMENDI
ican Academy of Pediatrics, helped support OF CALIFORNIA
pediatric immunization efforts by allaying fears PRESIDENT
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
about COVID vaccines, combatted the omni-
present vaccine misinformation that appeared HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT Thursday, June 23, 2022
across social media, reinforced the importance OF PENNSYLVANIA Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, today I
of wearing a facemask to prevent virus trans- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES introduce the ‘‘Defense Access Roads Im-
mission, provided timely updates on changes Thursday, June 23, 2022 provement Act,’’ which would make common-
to COVID protocols to over 1500 pediatricians Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, today sense reforms to reduce congestion outside
across Long Island. Though fighting the pan- I honor Dr. Peter Pettinato, VMD, who will be military installations. The Defense Access
demic as frontline physician, Dr. Shah hand- named the UNICO National President at the Roads program is a unique partnership be-
delivered over 10,000 pieces of personal pro- group’s annual convention in New Orleans, tween the U.S. Departments of Defense and
tective equipment to pediatricians across Louisiana. Founded in 1922, UNICO is the Transportation. Under the program, the Sec-
Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk coun- largest Italian American service organization in retary of Defense designates civilian roadways
ties. At a time when these resources were ex- the United States. that provide critical access for domestic mili-
tremely scarce, these deliveries helped over Peter was born in Carbondale Pennsylvania tary installations as Defense Access Roads,
200 physicians across New York City and in 1962. He graduated from Carbondale Area making them eligible for military construction
Long Island. In several cases, these deliveries Junior-Senior High School in 1980 as the val- funding transferred to the Department of
allowed pediatric offices to stay open, so they edictorian of his class. He continued his aca- Transportation for road improvements off
could continue to care for children with chronic demic career at the Pennsylvania State Uni- base.
medical issues throughout the early months of versity, University Park where he studied ani- Military installations anchor communities
the pandemic. Upon creation of the Paycheck mal bioscience and chemistry. In May 1984, across the nation, including California’s Travis
Protection Program, he assisted practices rep- he graduated from Penn State with his Bach- and Beale Air Force Bases in my Congres-
resenting over 100 physicians in applying, elor of Science degree and went on to attend sional district. The Defense Access Road Pro-
often working in their backyards so they could graduate school at the University of Pennsyl- gram ensures that the Department of Defense
navigate the process of securing financial as- vania. He graduated with his Veterinariae pays its fair share for maintenance, upkeep, or
sistance and forestall layoffs or furloughs of Medicinae Doctoris in 1989. upgrades of roads impacted by military traffic
office staff. After receiving his VMD, he returned to and the constant movement of heavy equip-
I was extremely proud to partner with Dr. Northeastern Pennsylvania and began working ment and vehicles.
Shah, who noticed that an initial draft of the at the Carbondale Veterinary Hospital as a My ‘‘Defense Access Roads Improvement
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Secu- staff veterinarian. In July 1996, he joined Act’’ would create a new, public process for
rity (CARES) Act, did not provide for payment Johnson Technical Institute as an instructor of state, county, or municipal governments to pe-
of telehealth services for certain Employee veterinary technology and the staff veteri- tition the Department of Defense to designate
Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and narian. Seeking to return to private practice, new Defense Access Roads, unlocking military
high deductible health plans. As these plans Peter opened his own clinic, French Hill Vet- construction funding for needed roadway im-
cover a large proportion of my constituents erinary Clinic, in Greenfield Township in 1999, provements off base. My bill would establish a
across New York State, my office served as and he continues to own and operate the new online database for designated Defense
an agent for New Yorkers, working to certify practice. Access Roads and any federal funding re-
they could use telehealth to access healthcare In 1989, Peter joined the Carbondale Chap- quests outstanding, which improves public
during the stay-at-home period of 2020. ter of UNICO, and over the past three dec- transparency and holds the Pentagon account-
We should take special note that all of this ades, he has dedicated himself to the organi- able. Lastly, my bill would also allow roads
work is done as a volunteer, and independent zation and truly embodied the motto of service leading to commercial shipyards used by the
of Dr. Shah’s work as a specialist in neonatal- above self. He was elected the president of U.S. Navy or Coast Guard to be designated
perinatal medicine, providing care for the most Carbondale UNICO in 1996, and he has as Defense Access Roads under the program,
critically-ill and premature infants in our state served as the secretary since July 2000. He instead of just seaports as under current law.
at a Regional Perinatal Center, New York’s has served as the governor of Pennsylvania As chairman of the Readiness Sub-
ctelli on DSK11ZRN23PROD with REMARKS
highest designation for a neonatal intensive District II twice. Additionally, he spent eight committee, which oversees all U.S. military in-
care unit. This work, made harder by the chal- years as the secretary for the eastern region. stallations and the Defense Access Road Pro-
lenges of the pandemic, is among the most He was elected 2nd vice president in 2018, gram, I am committed to securing additional
emotionally and physically demanding special- 1st vice president in 2019, and executive vice federal investment in off-base infrastructure.
ties in medicine, and we are fortunate that we president in 2021. He has also been both a As a senior member of both the Committee on
have dedicated newborn specialists like Dr. trustee and secretary of the UNICO founda- Armed Services and the Committee on Trans-
Shah caring for our most fragile New Yorkers. tion. portation and Infrastructure, I plan to make
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