[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20116-20117]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    HONORING A DEDICATED HUSBAND, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, VETERAN AND 
  PHYSICIAN--JOHN CHARLES LUNGREN, M.D. (APRIL 27, 1916-FEBRUARY 28, 
                                 2000)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES E. ROGAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2000

  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, today, it is my distinct honor to pay tribute 
to an American who gave of himself during his 83 years of life--John 
Charles Lungren, M.D.
  Dr. Lungren was born in Sioux City, Iowa on April 27, 1916. He 
attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a Bachelor's 
Degree in Science in 1938. Dr. Lungren subsequently received his 
Medical Degree in 1942 from the University of Pennsylvania.
  During World War II, Dr. Lungren served with the United States as a 
Battalion Surgeon and Captain, 30th Infantry Division receiving four 
Battle Stars and a Purple Heart. This included participating in the 
pivotal battles of St. Lo and Mortain and in the Normandy Invasion in 
June of 1944.
  After World War II, Dr. Lungren returned to his wife, Lorain Kathleen 
Lungren and, at that time, their first child. He settled in Long Beach, 
California specializing in internal medicine and cardiology which 
included various positions in the medical profession, including chief 
of staff for Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, member of the 
California State Board of Medical Quality Assurance and an emeritus 
associate clinical professor of medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, 
1960-1977.

[[Page 20117]]

  Dr. Lungren's dedication with and contributions to the University of 
Notre Dame were many. From 1966-1973, Dr. Lungren served as a member of 
the National Alumni Association's Board of Directors and President of 
the Alumni Association. In 1971, he was honored as ``Man of the Year.''
  In 1969, President Nixon appointed Dr. Lungren as the medical 
consultant to the President of the United States; a member of the 
National Advisory Committee, Selective Service System and the National 
Health Resources Advisory Committee.
  After President Nixon's resignation over Watergate in August of 1974, 
Dr. Lungren is credited with saving Nixon's life. Nixon had developed 
phlebitis, a swelling of the leg that threatened the former President's 
life with blood clots. After surgery to prevent a blood clot from 
traveling to his lung and brain. Nixon suffered post-traumatic shock 
and nearly died. During the last few years of his life, Dr. Lungren 
completed a manuscript on his more than 40-year relationship with 
President Nixon, titled Anguish and Redemption: The Final Peace of 
Richard Nixon.
  Dr. Lungren is survived by his wife, Lorain Kathleen Lungren, their 
seven children, John, Jr., Daniel, Christine, Loretta, Brian, Patricia 
and Elizabeth and 16 grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, as his eldest son, John, Jr. offered during his eulogy 
for his father, Dad is blessed for moral honor, spiritual dignity and 
purity of heart which leads us on the royal road that El Camino Real of 
a life committed in Christ, I ask my colleagues here today to join me 
in honoring an American who gave of himself to his country, family, 
medicine and community at large. Dr. Lungren spoke little of his heroic 
acts, albeit during World War II, raising his children or consoling a 
patient, hence, Dr. Lungren was a humble man. It seems that unknown to 
Dr. Lungren, as one his physicians who cared for him expressed to John, 
Jr., Your dad is in a special class, his reputation precedes him.
  Lastly, my fellow colleagues, as we gather together today, allow me 
to paraphrase Dr. Lungren's personal physician, colleague and dear 
friend, Dr. Winnie Waider, who whispered, as Dr. Lungren drew his last 
breath, How often do you see a complete life completed, a consummate 
life consummated? How poignant and thought provoking as we pay our 
deepest respects to an honorable man, Dr. John Charles Lungren.

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