[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 17 (Monday, January 27, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DR. JAMES METTS

  (Mr. CARTER of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life 
of Dr. James C. Metts, Jr., who passed away on Monday, January 20, at 
the age of 88.
  Dr. Metts had dedicated his life to public service, working as the 
Chatham County coroner for more than 40 years. He started in 1973, when 
the officials associated with Chatham County asked for his help in 
finding a replacement for the retiring coroner. When nobody signed up 
to run for the county coroner position, Dr. Metts volunteered himself.
  His colleagues remember him as someone who would always answer his 
phone, call you back, and perform his duties as coroner with class.
  In one of his most famous cases, Dr. Metts was called to court to 
testify about the body of Mr. Danny Hansford, which eventually became 
the centerpiece for the book, ``Midnight in the Garden of Good and 
Evil.''
  As a doctor, he continued his public service by working hard to lower 
the rate of heart attack and stroke deaths by founding the Community 
Cardiovascular Council.
  Dr. Metts will be deeply missed throughout our community. His family 
and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers in this most difficult 
time.

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