[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 171 (Monday, December 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. ROMAIN CLEROU

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 31, 2012

  Mr. McCARTHY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life of Dr. Romain Clerou, a local doctor from my hometown of 
Bakersfield, California who passed away on November 20, 2012. Romain 
selflessly served our community for over 65 years through his medical 
practice and will be remembered as a good friend to many, and a fixture 
on the sidelines at the local college and high school football games.
  Born in Bakersfield to French immigrants, Romain attended Kern County 
Union High School, Bakersfield Junior College, the University of 
California at Berkeley, and Creighton Medical School in Nebraska before 
serving in the U.S. Navy's 41st Seabees during the Second World War.
  In 1946, after the war had passed, Romain set up his medical practice 
in Bakersfield. Throughout the following decades, he would become well-
regarded for his constant availability and the personal attention given 
to each of his patients. Dr. Clerou treated countless ailments, 
delivered thousands of babies, and befriended generations of families.
  Additionally, Romain was the beloved team doctor for many athletes on 
Bakersfield football teams, a service for which he was known to never 
charge. Romain loved sports. He was a gymnast and football player and 
continued to play competitive rounds of golf up until late February of 
this year. Only a few months ago, Romain could be found at Bakersfield 
College taking in a football practice, sitting in a golf cart and 
smoking the cigars he was so well known for.
  Mr. Speaker, it is this kind of dedication to community service that 
reflects the great characteristics of our nation's people. As someone 
who lived life to the fullest and spent most of that life serving the 
people of Bakersfield, Romain was not only a pillar of strength to his 
community, but also to his country. He is survived by Mrs. Mayie 
Maitia, along with her family, his six children, and five 
grandchildren. While I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring 
the life of a great American, I have no doubt that Dr. Romain Clerou 
will be long remembered by the community he served so well.

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