[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 146 (Wednesday, November 13, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S10884]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RETIREMENT OF DOCTOR IRVING GUTTENBERG

 Mr. DODD. Madam President, I rise today to honor a constituent 
of mine, Dr. Irving Guttenberg, on the occasion of his retirement.
  For 35 years, Dr. Guttenberg has specialized in ear, nose, and throat 
medicine in Meriden, CT. Over the course of his career, he treated and 
cured virtually thousands of neighbors in Meriden and surrounding 
communities, gradually earning the trust and admiration of an entire 
region.
  I had the pleasure of having Dr. Guttenberg's daughter, Lisa 
Guttenberg Weiss, on my Connecticut staff for many years. Last month, I 
was deeply touched by an affectionate letter Lisa wrote to the Meriden 
Record Journal describing her father's dedication to his patients and 
chosen profession. I would like that letter printed in the 
Congressional Record following my remarks.
  I know that the people of Meriden and central Connecticut will truly 
miss Dr. Guttenberg. Once again, I commend Dr. Guttenberg on the 
occasion of his retirement, and I wish him success in all of his future 
endeavors.
  The letter follows:

                  An End of an Era for Dr. Guttenberg

       It is with a sense of pride and a few tears that I write to 
     mark the end of an era and the retirement of Dr. Irving 
     Guttenberg, my father. With my mother's help, he opened his 
     medical office, now known as Ear, Nose and Throat 
     Specialists, P.C. in 1967 at 219 West Main Street in Meriden. 
     He officially retired September 30.
       I imagine he has treated at least half the people in town, 
     not to mention Wallingford and Cheshire. I cannot even guess 
     how many tonsils he has removed or strep throats and sinus 
     infections he has treated. But, I know that he has performed 
     well over 50,000 pressure-equalizing tubes procedures 
     (because he told me so). I also know that he is greatly 
     admired, if not beloved, by his patients. My knowledge comes 
     from the school vacations I spent working in his offices when 
     I would schedule patient appointments, often triple-booking 
     his days because so many patients wanted to see ``Dr. G''. As 
     a young girl and now as an adult in my late thirties, I have 
     seen Dad's patients' come up to him at the movies, at 
     restaurants, at the grocery store, everywhere to thank him 
     for all his good work and kindness. People still come up to 
     me and tell me how great and dedicated and smart my father 
     is. I know and I agree.
       My father has always taken his responsibilities for his 
     patients seriously. Even after he purchased his first pager 
     and cell phone, it seemed like he would not leave the house 
     if he were ``on call''. Forget about going to the movies. Do 
     not even think about asking him to change his schedule to go 
     away for some occasion. If he was on call, he was staying 
     home, close to the phone and close to the hospital.
       When I was growing up, my father left early in the morning 
     and returned home relatively late, often eating dinner well 
     after the rest of the family had finished. During weekends 
     Dad had early morning and late afternoon ``rounds'' at 
     Meriden's two hospitals. Sometimes he brought my brother and 
     me with him and we would wait for an eternity in the doctor's 
     lounge or near the nurses' station. (We are rumored to have 
     been wheelchair racers, but there is no proof.) Other times, 
     when we awoke Mom told us that Dad went to the hospital in 
     the middle of the night to operate on someone.
       Now, after 35 years in practice and after having served as 
     Chief of Surgery and Chief of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) at 
     WWII Veterans' Memorial Hospital and Chief of ENT at MidState 
     Medical Center and as a clinical instructor at Yale School of 
     Medicine, my father is retiring. I do not know what he will 
     do next. He told me he would sleep for a week and then baby-
     sit for my kids. I think there is some talk about travel too. 
     Was that Dad or was that Mom? Whatever they do, I hope they 
     both enjoy Dad's retirement. It is well deserved. Best wishes 
     from me and everyone who knows and appreciates you.
           Your daughter,
     Lisa Guttenberg Weiss.

                          ____________________