Richard Hanna

Mr. HANNA

Mr. HANNA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2 so that we may replace the well-intentioned but ill-conceived health care law signed last year with reforms that increase access to care and lower costs. We know that the current law raises premiums. We know that it cuts Medicare by more than $500 billion. That's unacceptable to the over 120,000 seniors in my district who rely on Medicare benefits. We know it raises taxes, imposes costs on small businesses, and will substantially burden New York taxpayers. Tomorrow I will vote to instruct committees, including the Education and Workforce Committee, to produce thoughtful and improved legislation. I look forward to supporting reforms that lower premiums through competition; allow folks with preexisting conditions access to affordable health care; reform the medical liability system; preserve a patient's ability to keep their own plan; and expand incentives to encourage personal responsibility for health care coverage and costs.

Mr. HANNA

Mr. HANNA. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House join me in recognizing the service of Bonnie Ann Heath, executive director of the Cortland County Chapter of the American Red Cross upon the occasion of her retirement after outstanding leadership in this capacity from May 14, 1984 to December 31, 2010. We celebrate the collective combined years in which Bonnie Ann Heath began her career as a volunteer with the American Red Cross in 1973, as secretary-bookkeeper from 1977-1979 and worked for the RSVP Program from 1979-1984 before being named the executive director in 1984. Bonnie Ann Heath inspired, taught, nurtured, encouraged, showed great compassion, direction and organizational skills to countless numbers of youth, members of the Armed Forces and their families, community volunteers with the American Red Cross, in both programming and in the face of disaster. We remember the active involvement of Bonnie Ann Heath in Red Cross programs such as Blood Services, Disaster Services, Health and Safety Training, Youth Program, First Aid and Babysitter Training, Free Learn to Swim and the Aquatics Program, First Aid Demonstrations, Wellness Days, Health Fairs, Care and Share, Project SHARE, and her work with FEMA and the 2005 Flood Disaster and the outstanding work during the 9/ 11/2001 disaster organizing response volunteers. In addition to the passion of her career, Bonnie Ann Heath counts the greatest joys in her life as those of her loving husband Malcolm, her children Alene, Mellora, Derron; her four grandsons, Colby Matthew, Noah and Zachary; other family and friends; for they have been steadfast in their support and love during the countless hours of work as a professional woman. I ask that this House once again join with me in celebrating and honoring the accomplishments of Bonnie Ann Heath. The Cortland community, this country and our world are better places thanks to the great work and dedication of Bonnie.