[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E423-E424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING DOROTHY ``DOT'' ROGERS
______
HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize
the honorable life of Dorothy ``Dot'' Rogers. Her daughter, Ann Rogers,
Deputy Counsel at the U.S. House of Representatives, is a dear friend,
and we appreciate her service to the country. My thoughts and prayers
go to her family and friends.
Her loving obituary has been published by the Everly-Wheatley Funeral
Home:
``Born in Metairie, Louisiana, on January 12, 1930, to
Harold and Mae Iley, Dorothy Iley Rogers (known throughout
her life as Dot) quickly blossomed from a Depression-era baby
to a Renaissance woman. As a child, Dot was a swimmer and
scholar-athlete in New Orleans. She received her Bachelors
and Masters Degrees in Chemistry from Tulane University. She
went on to coach swimming and taught chemistry before meeting
her future husband while visiting her uncle, a Navy Chaplain,
on the south coast of France. Dot married Lieutenant James
Rogers in 1954.
As a proud Navy wife, Dot handled her husband's frequent
deployments with determination and lots of chocolate
milkshakes. While living in Carmel, California, Dot modeled
for local fashion stores and discovered her talent for art.
She excelled in many media, including acrylics, oils, water
color, charcoal, and pastels.
Perhaps Dot's proudest achievements came from raising her
two children, David and Ann. She assumed the roles of tutor,
cheerleader, coach, PTA president, and all-around
[[Page E424]]
volunteer, taking her children on innumerable trips to the
Smithsonian museums. Favorites included the museum of Natural
History, home to the ooey gooeys (the human anatomy display),
and the Air and Space Museum where she was a docent on
opening day.
She was also a skilled seamstress, sewing a significant
amount of clothing for her children--even after they left for
college. Halloween costumes were her favorite projects.
Dot's interests were wide and fascinating. When James was
transferred to the Pentagon, Dot continued her art education
through Arlington Adult Education classes. She and James
enjoyed ballet at the Kennedy Center, Harry Belafonte at Wolf
Trap, and Bruce Springsteen concerts (13 of them) wherever he
was playing. One of her favorite memories was when Patty
Scialfa noticed her from on stage, smiled and waved. It's an
E Street thing.
Dot never met a dog or a cat she did not love and had that
love returned. In her early 70s, she went to a local Jeep
dealer to finally buy her dream car and took her Golden
Retriever, Babe. She informed the dealership that she needed
to make sure whatever she selected was a comfortable fit for
her Babe. Ever after, she was proud and happy to drive around
town in her fire engine red Jeep Cherokee with Babe looking
majestic buckled up in the passenger seat.
Dot lived a full, beautiful, and fulfilling life which she
enjoyed sharing with those close to her. She is survived by
her son, David, his wife, Betsy, and their son, Weston, and
her daughter, Ann. She is also survived by five nieces, one
nephew, a host of friends, and a glorious and diverse fanbase
through the tales and pictures shared by her loving children
and friends.''
____________________