[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 201 (Wednesday, December 6, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H6156-H6157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING DR. J. WILLIAM McROBERTS

  (Mr. MURPHY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in special recognition of my 
dear friend, mentor, and former surgical chairman, Dr. J. William 
McRoberts, known affectionately as ``Mac.''
  A native of Rochester, Minnesota, he graduated from Princeton 
University and attended Cornell University School of Medicine where he 
was elected class president.
  After completing his surgical training at the Mayo Clinic, he was 
stationed as director of urology at the U.S. Naval Hospital in 
Bremerton, Washington. He continued to serve in the U.S. Navy as a 
captain in the Reserves for 20 years.
  He began his academic career as an assistant professor at the 
University of Washington, excelling throughout the ranks and becoming 
chairman of urology in the division of surgery at the University of 
Kentucky.
  As my chairman, Dr. McRoberts taught me a great deal about patient 
care, endurance, and professionalism. Despite long and oftentimes 
grueling hours, he kept a great wit and humor about him, challenging us 
all not only to be better physicians but better humans. He demonstrated 
that compassion and surgical skill are not mutually exclusive.
  Once he retired from academic life in 2001, instead of just enjoying 
the fruits of his labor, he has served in underserved areas in Kentucky 
and for the last 3 years in rural eastern North Carolina.
  Now, at the age of 90, I am releasing him of his medical obligation 
to enjoy his life with his wife, Marley; son, Porter; daughter, Jane; 
and their grandchildren.
  My life has been a better one lived because of his professionalism, 
humor, and friendship.

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