[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E218]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING DALLAS GAY, GAINESVILLE ROTARY CLUB'S MAN OF THE YEAR

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                           HON. DOUG COLLINS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2019

  Mr. COLLINS of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. 
Dallas Gay, a fellow Northeast Georgian who was recently named Man of 
the Year by the Gainesville Rotary Club in recognition of his work to 
combat the opioid epidemic in Georgia.
  Each year, thousands of Americans lose their lives to opioids. Mr. 
Gay understands the severity of this issue better than most, as he lost 
his grandson to a drug overdose in 2012. This tragic loss inspired him 
to join the fight and ultimately save countless lives throughout the 
state of Georgia.
  Mr. Gay has spearheaded several drug-
related campaigns, some of which have led to new legislation. In May 
2017, the Jeffrey Dallas Gay Jr. Act was signed into law, making 
naloxone--a life-saving antidote for drug overdoses--available over the 
counter. He also co-founded the ``Think About It'' campaign, which 
raised awareness of addiction to opioids and prescription drugs, and 
ultimately raised over $400,000.
  Mr. Gay was previously recognized by the Medical Association of 
Georgia and St. Jude's Children's Hospital for his work on the opioid 
epidemic.
  In his Man of the Year acceptance speech, he encouraged others to 
continue to ``be a soldier'' in combating this crisis and to question 
and safeguard the drugs which are prescribed to them.
  I thank Mr. Gay for his steadfast commitment to fighting this 
epidemic, and I look forward to witnessing his continued impact on 
countless lives across the state of Georgia.

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