[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. ROBERT SANDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Robert 
Sanders, a generous man who dedicated his life to keeping our children 
safe. Dr. Sanders passed away earlier this month.
  Dr. Sanders wore many hats in my hometown of Murfreesboro, where he 
resided. He was a husband, father, farmer and pediatrician. He served 
as Director of the Rutherford County Health Department from 1969 to 
1991 and served as the county's medical examiner from 1983 to 1999.
  As a pediatrician, Dr. Sanders cared for thousands of Murfreesboro's 
children. As an advocate for child safety restraints in vehicles, he 
saved the lives of countless more. Because of Dr. Sanders' tireless 
efforts, Tennessee became the first State in the Nation to pass a law 
requiring children in vehicles to be restrained in safety seats. Every 
other State in the country eventually followed Tennessee's lead.
  Even after the passage of that law in 1977, Dr. Sanders kept working 
to keep children safe while riding in vehicles. His efforts led to a 
state seat belt law and loaner programs to help low-income families 
acquire child-restraint seats.
  The Tennessee Medical Association, Tennessee Public Health 
Association and Tennessee Pediatric Society all have honored Dr. 
Sanders for his great service.
  Although Dr. Sander's dedication to a noble cause will benefit 
children for generations to come, I know he will be deeply missed by 
his family, his friends and countless Middle Tennesseans like me.

                          ____________________