[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1011-E1012]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE OF FLORIDA'S BELOVED, SENATOR DURELL ``DOC'' PEADEN, 
                                  JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 7, 2015

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the life and 
legacy of Northwest Florida's beloved Senator Durell ``Doc'' Peaden, 
Jr. Doc was a great friend and committed public servant who had an 
enormous impact on the lives of both his constituents in Northwest 
Florida and the state as a whole. His passing is mourned throughout the 
great State of Florida.
   A proud Northwest Floridian, Doc was born August 24, 1945, in 
DeFuniak Springs. After obtaining his undergraduate degree from Tulane 
University, Doc went on to medical school, gaining his MD in 1973. He 
immediately returned to his home in Northwest Florida, and, as he often 
liked to say, he was a ``country doctor'' for decades, working 
tirelessly to care for the patients in and around his home in Okaloosa 
County. While practicing medicine, Doc also obtained his law degree.
   In 1994, Doc Peaden began his distinguished career as an elected 
official when he won a seat in the Florida House of Representatives 
serving the people of the 5th District. Using his immense experience as 
a doctor, Doc quickly established himself as a leader in the state on 
health care issues, and during his time in the House, he helped lead 
efforts to expand medical education in the state by establishing a 
medical school at Florida State University. Having had the opportunity 
to serve with Doc in the Florida House, I know firsthand how hard he 
worked to ensure that the medical needs of our state were met.
   After serving in the Florida House of Representatives, Doc continued 
his tremendous service to Northwest Florida in the Florida State 
Senate, where he served from 2000-2010. His tenure included a position 
as Chairman of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee, 
and he successfully championed many important health care related bills 
through the Florida Legislature, including legislation requiring 
greater reporting from physicians.

[[Page E1012]]

   As a physician and a legislator, Doc was deeply committed to 
advancing the important issue of medical education to the forefront, 
and both during and after his time in the Legislature, he championed 
the construction of new medical schools around the state. He deeply 
understood how vital it is to ensure that rural Floridians have their 
medical needs met in their own community, and after leaving the Senate, 
he was instrumental in bringing a new dental school to DeFuniak 
Springs.
   To some, Doc Peaden will be remembered as a caring physician, always 
going above and beyond the call to serve the needs of his patients; to 
others, he will be remembered as an exceptional elected official and 
champion of health care; to his friends and family, he will forever be 
remembered as a loving husband and father. His immense contributions to 
our community and our state will never be forgotten.
   On behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged to 
recognize the life of Senator Durell ``Doc'' Peaden, Jr. My wife Vicki 
and I extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his wife, Nancy; 
his children Durell III (Trey), Tyler, and Taylen; and the entire 
Peaden family.

                          ____________________