[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2128-E2129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE RETIREMENT OF BOB ERICKSON

                                 ______


                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, November 8, 1995

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to express 
publicly my respect for Robert Erickson, who is retiring from the 
Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program this December after almost 37 
years of service. Bob has been a leader in the establishment of 

[[Page E 2129]]
prepaid group practice in the United States. His important personal 
contributions to the enactment of sound health care policy have been 
invaluable and have improved the Nation's health care delivery system.
  During the 25 years that I have known Bob, he has strongly supported 
health legislation that would extend coverage to all Americans and that 
would otherwise benefit the country as a whole, not merely an 
interested segment of the health care industry. The first question he 
would ask about legislation was whether it was good public policy; only 
then would he consider its impact on Kaiser Permanente. Bob's 
thoughtful advocacy on behalf of prepaid group practice has been 
partially driven by his belief that it is the most effective way of 
assuring that quality health care will be available to a broad spectrum 
of the community, including low-income individuals. I have appreciated 
his informed, ethical, and intelligent approach to government relations 
during my time in the California Assembly and in Congress.
  I have also appreciated Bob's efforts on behalf of the environment. 
As an outdoorsman, Bob recognizes the value of preserving this Nation's 
open spaces and biological diversity. He has been an active crusader 
for protection of the land, animals, and plant life for existing and 
future generations.
  I hope that Bob's retirement from Kaiser Permanente will not deprive 
Congress of his good counsel on future issues.

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