[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING WALTER GAMEWELL WATSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. J. GRESHAM BARRETT

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
acknowledge the 100th birthday of Walter Gamewell Watson. Dr. Watson, 
known as ``Curly'' to his friends, is said to be the oldest known 
working physician-in the United States. I, along with the communities 
of both North Augusta, South Carolina, and Augusta, Georgia, am taking 
this opportunity to celebrate both his life and his faithful, 
compassionate service to his fellow man.
  Dr. Watson was born in 1910 in the small agricultural community of 
Ridge Spring, South Carolina. His father was a farmer and postmaster of 
the local post office. Dr. Watson's mother was a schoolteacher. He grew 
up milking cows and plowing fields. Like many of his peers, he studied 
agriculture, and it was his good fortune to actually study under the 
late senior South Carolina Senator, Strom Thurmond, who was a teacher 
at the time.
  After high school, Walter Watson attended the Citadel in Charleston, 
South Carolina, where he played football and excelled academically. 
Upon finishing college, he returned to Edgefield County, and for 5 
years, he served as both the principal and football coach at Edgefield 
County High School and later went to work in the school system of 
Bainbridge, Georgia.
  While working in the educational field, Walter Watson saved money for 
medical school. He eventually attended the Medical College of Georgia 
and graduated in 1943. He did his internship and residency at the 
University Hospital and was board certified in Obstetrics and 
Gynecology.
  Dr. Watson served in the Army as an Army physician from 1945 to 1947. 
After being discharged from the Army, he returned home to join the 
medical practice established by the late J.W. Thurmond, M.D.
  For more than 60 years, Dr. Watson has practiced at the University 
Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. He has delivered an estimated 15,000 
babies. His reputation of excellence at the hospital and his care and 
concern for his patients has been so notable that a wing of the 
hospital was named after him. The W.G. Watson, M.D., Women's Center was 
dedicated in 1999.
  Other notable achievements include his marriage to Audrey, and their 
four daughters and one son. Dr. Watson is also the oldest living 
graduate of the Citadel.
  Today, I celebrate Dr. Watson's birthday as well as his longtime 
service to his community, his State and his Nation. God bless you, Dr. 
Watson.

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