[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 2 (Friday, January 4, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S22-S23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      REMEMBERING BEN EISEMAN, MD

 Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. President, today I wish to pay 
tribute to Dr. Ben Eiseman, a world-renowned surgeon, a true American 
and a great friend of mine. Dr. Eiseman was an accomplished man in 
every sense of the word and is survived by his wife of 67 years, his 
four children and five grandchildren.
  Dr. Eiseman was an incredibly intelligent individual and an avid 
self-learner. He graduated from Yale University in 1939 and went on to 
receive his Medical Degree from Harvard University in 1943. Dr. Eiseman 
possessed extraordinary scientific ingenuity that led him to discover 
an astonishing number of medical complications and cures.
  In addition to these discoveries, Dr. Eiseman also authored and 
coauthored over 450 scientific papers, was principal editor of seven 
books on general surgery and was a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. 
Navy Reserves--he was very proud of his service to his country. 
Whenever I mentioned Dr. Eiseman to other surgeons, whether they live 
in another State or another country, he or she would instantly know his 
name.
  I worked with Dr. Eiseman during my time as Executive Director of the 
Colorado Outward Bound School. At that time he was chairman of the 
Board of Trustees, and he was a major influence in my life, an 
incredible friend, and a wise mentor. One of the reasons Dr. Eiseman 
and I were so close had much to do with our shared love for the great 
outdoors. He was one of the few people I knew who had climbed all of 
the mountains in Colorado over 14,000 feet.
  I recall a time almost three decades ago--while I was still with 
Outward Bound--when Dr. Eiseman accompanied me on a winter climbing 
trip for advanced climbers. He was always asking us to think through 
each and every step. In asking the right questions and challenging us 
along the way, he made me a stronger leader.
  One reason we all respected Dr. Eiseman was because we all admired 
his unassuming ruggedness. On this trip, where it was at least 10 
degrees below zero, none of us were surprised as Dr. Eiseman walked 
around comfortably in his Converse high-tops while the rest of us 
muddled around, freezing in our high-tech, insulated boots. When it was 
time to rest for the night, most of the team rolled out their latest 
and greatest sleeping bags, while Dr. Eiseman pulled out the equivalent 
of a lawn chair cushion to curl up on for the night. Always the task 
master, Dr. Eiseman was the first one up in the morning to make sure 
that everyone, including myself, was thoroughly prepared to take on 
whatever was in store for us each day. It was just the way he was 
tough, rugged and focused.
  Dr. Eiseman inspired me by the way he commanded respect from all who 
interacted with him. Sure, he was seen as intimidating by some, but for 
those who knew him, they were treated to his wonderful sense of humor. 
He was a dedicated community leader, outdoorsman, and patriot.
  I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend Ben Eiseman, but I know

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that his work here on this Earth changed the lives of thousands and 
that his legacy will not be forgotten.
  May his memory live on for years to come.

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