[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        A TRIBUTE TO A GENTLEMAN

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. PORTER J. GOSS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 1994

  Mr. GOSS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute to Dr. J. Roy 
Rowland. Dr. Rowland is retiring from Congress this year after 
representing the Eighth District of Georgia honorably for more than a 
decade.
  As a Congressman, he has stood tall in the eyes of his colleagues. He 
is a likable and devoted Representative. As one of only two physicians 
in the House, He's well respected for his leadership on health policy 
issues. And as a veteran, and a tireless advocate of veterans' issues, 
he has earned the respect of those men and women who have worn a 
uniform for this country.
  Dr. Rowland has served the Nation in one capacity or another for more 
than 50 years. First as an infantryman in the European theater in World 
War II. Then as a family practitioner back home in Georgia. After more 
than 20 years of healing and comforting his patients, he went ahead to 
represent them in the Georgia State Legislature.
  In 1982 he came to Washington, and this body and the American people 
have benefited from his compassion and commitment to serving others 
ever since. Here he is known as a true Southern gentleman. And a strong 
and independent voice for his constituents.
  I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him this summer 
on developing the bipartisan Health Care Reform Act. In many ways that 
bill typifies what ``Doc'' Rowland is all about. As a physician, Doc 
Rowland was committed to advancing the health debate. He reached out to 
Republicans and fellow Democrats alike to try and force a consensus.
  In retrospect, joining with him and eight other Members to hammer out 
a compromise bipartisan health bill was one of the most gratifying 
experiences I've had since coming here. We spent many long nights holed 
up in the Doc's personal office hashing out our differences and 
debating the merits of different reform approaches.
  In the process, I think I learned quite a bit about him. His 
leadership was instrumental in keeping our group at the task. And the 
end product, which will certainly impact the health debate next year, 
is as much a tribute to his commitment to improving people's health as 
it is to his coalition building skills. Through hours of sometimes 
tense debate, he was the perfect host, providing just the right mixture 
of refreshments and cajoling to keep us on track and moving forward.
  While it's a regret Congress was unable to pass a proper health 
reform bill this year, I am proud of what we accomplished. And I give 
Doctor Rowland much of the credit for seeing the bipartisan effort 
through. I suspect that if America sent more people like Doc Rowland to 
Congress, a lot of things in America, not just the health system, would 
be greatly improved.
  We will all miss Doc Rowland. He has earned our respect and 
selflessly given us his friendship. And he has served this country like 
few have ever done.

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