[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 77 (Thursday, May 9, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ROBERT PEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2019

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
appreciation for the outstanding journalistic career of Robert Pear and 
to join so many who share a deep sadness over his untimely loss.
  Those of us who had the chance to pitch a story to Robert or faced 
the challenge of responding to his questions knew he was deeply 
knowledgeable about health care. For 40 years, he reported on every 
major health care story and raised many issues that became major 
stories based on his reporting. He knew the laws that were in place, 
studied the policies being proposed to change those laws, and combed 
proposed legislation to get the details right. I knew that I had to 
know my stuff when Robert Pear called, because he would ask smart 
questions that demanded serious and thoughtful answers.
  What always impressed me about Robert was his interest in looking at 
how the Congressional debate would affect real people. Health care 
wasn't just an inside-the-Beltway political conflict in Robert's 
reporting, it was a debate that had real-life consequences for everyone 
in every part of our nation. He would read the footnotes of GAO reports 
but would be even more interested in talking with my constituents about 
how high cost-sharing or lifetime limits affected their family budgets. 
He was masterful in being able to translate arcane policy into 
understandable language--informing both policymakers and the public. We 
all paid attention to a Robert Pear article.
  Robert was a great reporter and he was a great and kind person. 
Robert always made you feel that he respected your views and was 
grateful for the time you gave him. He was interested in all 
perspectives and viewpoints. He would regularly check in with my long 
time Chief of Staff and health policy expert, Cathy Hurwit. He always 
said thank you--and you know he meant it. He would often send follow-up 
emails to share something that he thought might be of interest. He was 
the nation's preeminent health care reporter, but he was never a self-
promoter. His goal was always to get the story and to get it right.
  We have lost an important and astute chronicler of health care. After 
four decades of relying on his reporting, it is hard to imagine that we 
will never again read another Robert Pear article in The New York 
Times. My deep condolences go to his brother Douglas, his friends, and 
all those who got to know Robert Pear the reporter and the person.

                          ____________________