[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 55 (Monday, March 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E257-E258]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF MRS. PATRICIA JOYCE SAUL ROCHON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 27, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize New 
Orleans' beloved native daughter, wife, mother, true friend and 
confidant to many. Mrs. Patricia Joyce Saul Rochon departed this earth 
in the loving arms of her devoted family after a courageous and 
determined fight against metastatic cancer. She died on March 13, 2023, 
her 77th birthday, at Yale's Smilow Cancer Center in New Haven, 
Connecticut.
  On March 21, 2023, Mrs. Rochon would have celebrated her 53rd wedding 
anniversary with her loving husband, Dr. Gilbert Rochon III, the 6th 
President of Tuskegee University; where Mrs. Rochon proudly served as 
Tuskegee University's First Lady.
  Mrs. Rochon completed her early education in 1963 at St. Mary's 
Academy in New Orleans, LA. Four years later she graduated from Xavier 
University of Louisiana. Upon graduation she was accepted into and 
later graduated from Yale University's School of Drama,

[[Page E258]]

where she received her MFA in 1975. She also studied Communications at 
the Pennsylvania State University's College of Communications.
  During her 16 years at Dillard University, Mrs. Rochon chaired the 
Department of Mass Communications. She later held a faculty appointment 
at the College of Communications at Purdue University. Mrs. Rochon was 
also an Emmy Award winning television news producer. She produced an 
array of television shows, which included, Fast Track, Fast Track Te 
Informa, Primetime and the New England Regional Emmy Award winning 
``Best Target Audience Series'' Urban Update and Black News.
  Mrs. Rochon is survived by her husband, Gilbert Rochon III, PhD, MPH; 
their daughter, Hildred Sarah Rochon, MD, MPH, MBA; their son, Emile 
Saul Rochon, MD; daughter-in-law, Jalelah Sophia Ahmed, MIA; son-in-
law, Lillard Royal Lewis, Jr., MBA; grandson's Jayden Royal Lewis and 
Jameson Ramon Lewis; sisters, Anna Lois Saul Harrison and Margaret 
Ethel Saul Bordenave; brother, Herman James Saul, Jr.; brothers-in-law, 
Richard David Harrison; RADM Stephen Wayne Rochon, (RET.), Gregory Paul 
Rochon, Brandon Pierre Rochon; sisters-in-law, Sheryl Saul, Shirley 
Rochon and Janet Oliver Rochon; cousins Dr. Claudia Phillips Joplin, 
Dr. Michele Louise Phillips Pointer, Myra E. Phillips, JD and a host of 
beloved nephews, nieces and cousins!
  She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman James Saul, Sr. and 
Louise Phillips Saul; Aunts, Magnettie Saul Perrault, Beulah Saul, 
Malcolm Saul, Florence Saul, Edith Saul; Uncles, Wallace Saul, Godfrey 
Saul, Dr. George Martin Phillips, Aunt Wimberly Ruth Phillips; Cousins 
George Martin Phillips Jr., Dr. Deborah Phillips Theado; sisters-in-
law, Alexis Rochon, Dr. Melanie Rochon Bush; brothers-in-law 
Christopher Joseph Bordenave, III, Evan Ashley Rochon; grandmothers; 
Sarah Anna Merritt, Claudia Ethel Gates Phillips Tunnage and Marguerite 
Toye Saul; grandfathers, Joseph Saul and Thomas Phillips.
  Patricia will forever be remembered as a devoted and loving wife and 
mother; a strong champion for the societal benefits of higher 
education; an advocate who served to advance the opportunities of 
students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and a fighter 
who believed in equitable health care access and equal opportunities 
for ethnic minorities and women. May she rest in peace and may God's 
perpetual light shine upon her.

                          ____________________