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HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF LT. COL. ROBERT L. REINLIE
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| March 1st, 2004 |
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HON. JEFF MILLER
OF FLORIDA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2004
Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Lt. Col. Robert L. Reinlie for his tireless fight for his fellow veterans.
Lt. Col. Reinlie and the late William O. ``Sam'' Schism engaged Col. George ``Bud'' Day, Medal of Honor recipient and former POW, as their attorney. By becoming a plaintiff in a 1996 lawsuit, Lt. Col. Reinlie challenged the United States government to honor healthcare commitments made to WWII/Korea era military retirees.
Lt. Col. Reinlie's extraordinary farsighted vision recognized the need for a plan to support his legal efforts. Lt. Col. Reinlie took it upon himself to begin organizing, what later became the Class Act Group.
With untiring and aggressive pursuit, Lt. Col. Reinlie's efforts were extended into a nation-wide grass roots network that was instrumental in forging Congressional legislation favorable to military retirees. Lt. Col. Reinlie helped initiate this grass roots initiative through billboards, letter writing campaigns, demonstrations, phone and fax communication blitzes, meetings, marches, web sites, letters to editors, press releases, all geared to influencing Congressional attention. His dynamic and selfless leadership and commitment drove him to a presence in Class Act Group office spaces, even when extensive surgery was imminent and during extended rehabilitation.
His tireless dedication served as a contributing and encouraging factor for his attorney, Col. Day, and the legal fight to the United States Supreme Court. This fight led by Lt. Col. Reinlie was a major contributing factor to the military retiree medical benefit now referred to as TRICARE for Life and The Senior Pharmacy Program. The WWII/Korea era military retiree fight is not over and Lt. Col. Reinlie, at the young age of 82, is still in the battle to honor his fellow veterans.
Mr. Speaker, I, on behalf of the United States Congress, salute Lt. Col. Reinlie. With the encouragement and significant contribution from his wife Marilyn, he reflects a great credit upon himself, our Nation, and the courage of soldiers that gave us the freedom we enjoy today. I offer my sincere thanks for all that he has done for Northwest Florida and this great Nation.
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There are no Floor Speechess to be displayed for this month.
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