Paul G. Rogers

the honorable mr paul g rodgers was a man of great honor i knew him as i grew up in west palm i was a ring bearer in his secretary helens wedding in1967 may god bless the rodgers family watch over them keep them safe if i can be of help please let me know rip mr rodgers you were a hard working man thanks for your friend ship to me

We Have lost a giant defender of Health Care. He has left a legacy and he has taught us how to be a servant to others. Mr. Rogers was a good man, indeed a very good man.

I could never call or refer to him by any name other than Mr. Rogers or "Congressman" or "The Congressman".

He changed my small family's life by appointing my father, Ellis Solomon (who was then a postal clerk), as Postmaster in Fort Myers. This was 1960 and dad served for some 17 or 18 years.

Later, Mr. Rogers was kind enough to let me to work as a summer intern in his Washington office during 1966 and 1967. There I had the extreme good fortune to learn from Bud Lochrie and feel a part of the family that was Mr. Roger's staff.

When I "flunked out" of law school in 1966, it was Mr. Rogers who orchestrated my applicaton to and acceptance into another law school. He was responsible for my getting a degree and making it possible for me to realize the dream of becoming a trial lawyer.

Next to my own father, Mr. Rogers is the greatest man I have ever known. Our love runs deep as I join my mother, Mary Ann Solomon, in extending our deepest sympathy to the entire Rogers family.

Ron Solomon, Esq.
Fort Lauderdale
Key West

It was a great honor and pleasure to have worked with Congressman Rogers for the past seven years through the National Coalition on Health Care. He was a fine man and his legacy as "Mr. Health" will live on.

Paul G. Rogers changed lives--By Bette Anne Starkey, 1966-1978

My first day on the job in 1966 (filling the shoes of Tricia Milling and Mary Lou Smith) was the beginning of the first of many “God Winks” that changed my life.

The Boss and his family (all the Rogers were the epitome of gracious) and the Office Family (Buddy, Bob, John, Dick, Jim, Dan, Dack, Carol, Betty, Helen, Pauline) instilled in this hometown girl how important it was to be a role model and mentor.

I do recall something about being a “gatekeeper”—and so many people thought I had the KEYS. Shucks. I was scared to death…. Trying to learn from Buddy who was just on the other side of that wall making sure everything I said was done like a “diplomat”. The Boss instilled in us to do the Best There Was; and we did, in fact, learn on the job….how to greet everyone at the party, and then turn around and say goodbye to everyone you had just greeted…..then on to the next event to do the same thing all over again. Every event/trip to be choreographed and on time; every letter to be perfect and on time, signed personally; and every person to be treated like they were # 1 and we were there to help….

Adjectives that come to mind about ALL the Rogers are “hospitable” and “gracious”. We followed suit and were hospitable and gracious; we learned to LISTEN to all sides of the issues. I was treated to “gracious” one weekday. It was 7 pm Wednesday night when the phone rang at home. The Boss was at the 16th Street Hilton where his 3 x 5 schedule card told him to go instead of the Washington Hilton. I wrung my hands and didn’t sleep that night from embarrassment. By morning my 1970’s Styrofoam wig head had changed into the likeness of BAS with voodoo pins galore. I raced to the office to get there early for my “apology” to be waiting on his desk …..and was treated to the realization that we are only human as he graciously accepted my attempt at humor. (My “one and only” mistake cost him 15 minutes but cost me a whole night of worry).

I, too have been the recipient of the birthday song even though there have been some years when my card or phone call didn’t make it on June 4th . I regretted my transgression or laziness in not getting my card there on time. If only we could live up to his expectations. PGR AND BECKY were the consummate role models and SO PROUD of LAING and her accomplishments.. Paul Rogers may be gone from the earth but the things he taught us are instilled in us, his extended “family”. We are very proud to strive to follow his example.

Congressman championed health: Paul G. Rogers, 1921-2008
By CHARLES ELMORE
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Monday, October 13, 2008
Paul G. Rogers, a 24-year congressman from West Palm Beach whose name is on the city's federal courthouse building, died Monday in Washington, family members said. He was 87.
During more than two decades in office, Mr. Rogers earned the nickname "Mr. Health." He was a driving force behind health legislation including the National Cancer Act of 1971, which mobilized federal resources in a "war on cancer."
He served in Congress from 1955 to 1979 before focusing on private practice and charitable work as a partner in the Washington law firm of Hogan & Hartson.
"He was just a giant of a man," said Dan Mica, a former chief of staff to Mr. Rogers who succeeded him in Congress. "He once told me the best part about being in politics is not the politics - it's the ability to touch people's lives."
An act of Congress in 2000 designated the main plaza at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., as the Paul G. Rogers Plaza.
"He was an incredible public servant," said former U.S. Rep. Harry Johnston of West Palm Beach. "In the health field, he got on it before everyone else did. Everyone went to him for information and advice."
As Mr. Rogers put it in a 1979 interview, "I saw the potential for what could be done in the health care field and it just was not being aggressively pursued. We were not looking ahead and planning."
Mr. Rogers served as chairman of the subcommittee on health and the environment from 1971 to 1979. He sponsored or played an important role in enacting legislation including the National Cancer Act of 1971 and 1977; the Health Manpower Training Act; the Heart, Blood Vessel, Lung and Blood Act; the Research on Aging Act; the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970; the Emergency Medical Services Act; the Health Maintenance Organization Act; the Clean Air and Safe Drinking Water Acts; and the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1977.
Mr. Rogers later served on the board of directors for Merck & Co. and Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York.
Mr. Rogers was diagnosed with lung cancer and recently underwent an operation, said his brother, Palm Beach attorney Doyle Rogers.
He is survived by his wife, Rebecca B. Rogers; a daughter, Laing Sisto; and four grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Born June 4, 1921, in Ocilla, Ga., Mr. Rogers earned a law degree from the University of Florida and was first elected as a Democrat in his West Palm Beach-based district to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father, Dwight L. Rogers. Early backers included George Wedgeworth of the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative in Belle Glade.
"He was one of the most-liked congressmen I can think of," Wedgeworth said.
He was reelected 11 times, often without opposition, before choosing not to run for the 96th Congress. He helped double the National Institutes of Health budget in five years, but he sensed difficult budget-cutting ahead after decades of building health programs.
"Being in Congress and constantly trimming and cutting back is not too satisfying," he said in 1986.

I came to know Paul when I headed the policy office at the National Institutes of Health for then Director Dr. Donald S. Fredrickson (1976-1981.) Much of my six years as the head of the office was involved in developing the NIH and related federal policies for the guidelines to oversee recombinant DNA research. Dr. Fredrickson and I appeared several times before Paul's committee to explain NIH policy developments.

The many obituaries on Paul capture well his legislative achievements. However, in the recombinant DNA policy arena his great achievement was to have Congress hold back on many legislative proposals that would have restricted the work of scientists in recombinant DNA research. Many of the legislative proposal would have set up a variety of regulations limiting the flexibility in the NIH guidelines to oversee the research in its infancy. Absent Paul's influence, there might have been quite a different outcome for the biotechnology revolution that ensued. All who were involved in the recombinant DNA research arena were aware of Paul's enormous contributions and Dr. Fredrickson on many occasions told Paul so.

It is truly fitting that the Plaza outside of the Shannon Building at the National Institutes of Health that I crossed several times a day during my tenure with Dr. Fredrickson is named after Paul.

The obituary on Paul in the New York Times ended with an excerpt from a speech Paul gave which captures him at his best and what he said then is even more true today:

His concern for health care was evident at a 1972 meeting in Washington of the Association of American Medical Colleges. His speech began with a quote from the Book of Common Prayer: “We have left undone those things we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us.” “Those words,” he continued, “are dramatically precise in describing our national performance in the delivery of health care in this nation.”

These words of Paul speak to us and remind us that although the clock may have stopped on his physical life, it will never stop on his spirit that will endure and inspire generations to come.

Beloe memorandum has been sent to the National Coalition on Health Care's Board of Directors, members organizations, and individual supporters

MEMORANDUM

TO: National Coalition on Health Care Board of Directors, Members and Individual Supporters

FROM: Robert D. Ray, Co-Chair & Henry E. Simmons, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.P., President

SUBJECT: Passing of Paul G. Rogers

We write to share with you the sad news of the loss of our Coalition’s Co-Chair, Paul G. Rogers who died on October 13, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Paul was a vital part of the Coalition’s efforts from its inception in 1986 as the National Leadership Commission on Health Care until his death this week.

As you know, Paul spent 24 distinguished years as a Democratic representative from Florida and was known as “Mr. Health” for his efforts in health care throughout his time in Congress. Those efforts continued in both the public and private sectors after his retirement from the House of Representatives.

Paul’s commitment, counsel, and caring inspired and guided the Coalition’s work to assure affordable, quality health care for all Americans. He will be sorely missed by all of us who had the privilege to know, work with, and learn from him over these many years.

Our thoughts are with his wife and family with whom we share a profound loss. One of our Coalition members, the CEO Roundtable on Cancer, has established a tribute page on their website in honor of Paul. The Roundtable’s CEO, Dr. Marty Murphy, has written a homage to Paul that can be viewed at ceoroundtableoncancer.org.

Services for Paul will be held on Monday, October 20th at the Washington National Cathedral. Memorial contributions can be made to Research America or the American Cancer Society.

Paul Grant Rogers, My Great Friend and Mentor

In 1970, I interrupted law school in Florida for US Army training and I was then faced with 6 months of unemployment before my next semester began. It was at that time that I met the man who changed the course of my life. That man was, of course, Congressman Paul G. Rogers, otherwise referred to by his staff as “The Honorable.” I had the great fortune to be offered a job as his legislative assistant. Paul Rogers was the consummate gentleman; I never heard him say a negative word about anyone. He made me and everyone else feel special and important. He was always optimistic and supportive of moving forward and taking the next actions needed for achieving his objective despite the minor setbacks that frequently occur in the legislative process. If a setback occurred on something you worked on for him, he would put his arm on your shoulder, lift up your spirits and encourage you by saying “don’t worry; we can do this; lets move on.” After he left Congress, he has always called me every year on my birthday to sing “Happy Birthday” . After his last refrain, he would ask about each member of my family. My experience with him, is the reason I am still in Washington, DC working on public health and disease prevention and research issues that will hopefully improve benefit all of us and future generations. All who knew him or even got the chance to meet him will remember and cherish our friendships and experiences with the Honorable Paul Grant Rogers.

Dack Dalrymple

Mr. & Mrs. Paul G. Rogers
National Hospice Foundation Gala - April 18, 2007
On Monday, October 13, 2008, The Honorable
Paul G. Rogers died ... and a great sadness gripped
us. His death leaves such a void.
Our first thoughts turn to his bride Becky, to their
daughter Laing, his four grandchildren and his
brother Doyle. Our hearts weep with them and for
their unspeakable loss.
We of the CEO Roundtable on Cancer are forever
in his debt for it was Paul who introduced the
CEO Roundtable to his great law firm, Hogan and Hartson. From that moment onward,
our efforts took on new direction and fresh and firm resolve. The "Common Clauses"
initiative that will speed new, potentially life-sparing drugs to cancer patients is a direct
consequence of Paul and the vision he shared with us – a vision of a future in which
cancer patients would secure improved therapies … and with dispatch.
Paul would chide us for singling him out, for he was loathe to use the perpendicular
pronoun; rather he worked for a common consent with a tone of civility that allowed no
quarter for pettiness or triviality. He effortlessly seemed to elevate our vision to what yet
might be, whilst he elevated our hearts to what must become.
With him, all seemed not only possible but urgently doable. During our "Common
Clauses" collaboration, we received weekly phone calls from him. He always started by
asking, "Marty, how's Ann?" And then he wanted to know how the initiative was moving
forward and if he could do anything to help things along.
Each time we rang off, I had ample reason to reflectively pause to appreciate how blessed
we were with his inspiring partnership.
In mid-September, after his cancer diagnosis, I snuck into his room at the NIH's Clinical
Center during the early phase of his post-operative recovery from a massive chest surgery
masterfully performed by Dr. David Schrump. Breathing with the assistance of a
tracheostomy it was impossible for him to easily talk but that never stopped him from
communicating …he let his ever-twinkling and expressive eyes speak for him. He
embraced me with a glance and sent messages of affection with a wink. There he sat
2
breathing through a tracheostomy, tethered to intravenous tubes and electronic monitors –
but still wanting to know, "How's Ann?"
When I last visited with him and his beloved Becky in the NIH Clinical Center, Paul
Grant Rogers' legacy was all about us. Let’s remember that an act of Congress in 2000
christened the main plaza at the NIH the Paul G. Rogers Plaza. The great architect,
Christopher Wren, is immortalized by his London masterpiece, Saint Paul's Cathedral.
Circumscribing the cathedral’s cupola is chiseled one of the most famous epitaphs of all
time, "If you seek his monument, look around you." So, too, if you search for Paul's
monument, all you need is to look around the NIH – and not just the buildings that he
fought so successfully to fund with congressional appropriations; no, his living legacy is
the belief that when a country decided to be great, it created this bastion of intellect
dedicated to the proposition that we, as a nation, must leave our children and our
grandchildren an inheritance of health and hope ... a bright hope that tomorrow’s health
will be better than today’s. Paul not only preached that gospel, he work for it every day.
There are many measures of this generous and great man, but one of them was that when
he retired from the Congress in 1979 after twenty-four distinguished years, he did not
leave public service. Instead, he redoubled his efforts by engagement from within both
the non-profit and private sectors. Whether as a director of the American Cancer Society,
as chairman of Research!America, as honorary chair of the National Coalition on Health
Care, or as a vibrant Member of our CEO Roundtable on Cancer, Paul was forever
crafting ways through which those whose lives were tempest-tossed by illness found
hope.
When he was promoted to his eternal reward on October 13th, we who were graced to
have known and loved him were cast into a profound sadness, for our world fell void of
his charm, gentility and his great laughter that could shake a room. We looked inwardly
and realized that we are all diminished by his death.
But if we pause and allow the silence of our sadness to speak, our hearts may hear him
asking how we are doing and hear his entreaty that we can do better for those who rely
upon us.
Paul’s real monument is perhaps not of brick and mortar but rather it may be found
within each of us who were forever transformed by his firm touch. Paul Grant Rogers
was a master architect ... of us.
Paul's expectations remain luminous and large, for he expects goodness and good work
from each one of us – and we must not let him down.
Martin J. Murphy
Chief Executive Officer
CEO Roundtable on Cancer
[email protected]

The Great Paul Rogers has passed from our presence but will live forever in our lives and memories. We have in the last week celebrated his early days; his valor in war; his rise in political life in Washington; his ascendency to the world series of health, environmental, and medical research issues; the dedication of a plaza at NIH in his name; culminating in the world wide moniker awarded to him: MR. HEALTH.
Add to that in Washington, Florida and the World his and Becky’s civic and social presence for noble causes and friendship.
All of that is quite a record which would make his Mother and Father very proud of his life. But, it would be an incomplete statement of his life because it would ignore what made him, the Great Paul Rogers. And that is what I want to share with you.
If you want to know what made him the Great Paul Rogers, remember in the tearful eyes of Rebecka, Lilly, Cole and Ali Sisto, his grandchildren. They know! Look to Becky, Laing, John, Doyle, Barbara, Dwight and Virginia, who have left us, and 23 nieces and nephews, they know! Look to every relative of his for they know too! And here is what they know: if he had never won a battle decoration; never passed a bill; never been on a board of directors; or awarded honorary degrees; never had plazas or buildings named after him; these folks, his family, would feel the exact same way they do today because the Great Paul Rogers was, in all circumstances, the most compassionate, loving, fair, honest and least mean-spirited person I have every known, or, witnessed in life’s interpersonal play among human beings. He usually made me feel – and I think I’m a pretty good guy – like Cruella DeVille.
Paul had a compass of integrity embedded in him which was powered by his sense of love, friendship and compassion for others, so for me, my Goodbye is not so much wrapped up in his accomplishments in public life, as it is in his remarkable personal character and how, in different ways, he shared that unique love of friendship, family and mankind with everyone.
So each of us must remember the Great Gift the Great Paul Rogers gave to us: his humanity and his humility. He did not teach us how to die, he taught us how to live.
So cry on my friends in strength not in fear, for the moment that moves you is well worth a tear.

Stuart Philip Ross

To Mr. Paul Rogers family,
My deepest sympathy on your great loss. May God comfort you during this time.
I remember meeting Mr. Rogers when my dad took me to his campaign office several times to stuff envelopes on his behalf. That is where I met him and all I remember was that he was taller than my dad and he had nice smile. My dad told me that he was a good man. He told me how Mr. Rogers helped my Aunt Eunice get out of Cuba. How Mr. Rogers did not hesitate to help. Because of his help and for all that he stood for, my family will always remember that Mr. Rogers not only was a great politician but a person who truly cared about others.

I had the great privilege and honor to work for Mr. Rogers as his secretary at Hogan & Hartson for 25 years. He meant the world for me and was my model and inspiration. Patient, courteous, genuinely concerned for everyone and always ready to help. He has left an indelible mark on everyone and will be missed and remembered for ever. Mr. Rogers -- my boss -- was truly a remarkable man.

As a long-time (and long-ago) member of the Rogers' staff, I have many fond memories of those wonderful years and the friendships that have endured to this day. Anyone who was new to the "Hill" and was fortunate enough to be included in this group soon realized just how lucky they were to be associated with Mr. Rogers. We were never just employees, we were "family" and treated as such. There couldn't have been a better working environment. Most of all, though, I remember the man - his goodness, his charm, his caring nature and his great sense of humor. He will be missed by a great many people, but I believe that God is in for a treat!

Mr. Rogers was reponsible for bringing me from Cuba in 1960, when I was 15. My uncle Judson Tittle asked him to write a letter to the Cosulate to rush my visa. Mr. Rogers did, and I came. I am a US citizen and I always voted for him. Thank you.

Paul G. Rogers was a great man. I still have the photos I took with him in 1977 on the steps of the Capitol in Washington along with my friend Mitch Jeffreys. I cherish these several photos. I last saw them in my plethora of photos recently within the past year. He knew my family and when I met him at the Capitol and told him who I was at age twelve, he asked me how my mom Priscilla and aunt Eunice were doing. Incredible for a man who met many in his career in Congress. Impressive. In fact, my dad would take my sister to fold flyer's for him when I was too young to go with them in West Palm Beach when we lived on Floweva st. He was beyond kind to our family almost a half century ago. He was especially kind and helpful to my aunt Eunice when she was a young girl. On a happy note I remember going to Washington's with the patrols of Meadow Park Elementary and having him take us into the chamber where Congressmen vote. We sat in their seats. He asked us to not push the buttons on the armrest where you could push a button and your vote appeared on the wall above the speaker. Of course, we all did, Mitch would probably say that I did it first, but I think it might have been him. Mitch and I would probably blame it on Tom Mays or Kyle Hickman. My cousin Bobby, who with such political differences, I love, has told me several times over the years that Paul Rogers is the only Democrat he has ever voted for. This in itself, is testament to who Paul Rogers was as a leader and a great man. I will always cherish my photos of him with me as a kid on the Capitol steps. He was a true Statesmen from Florida.

To the Family,
This is really something! Congressman Rogers was a very, very special employer to me and my family. I worked for him in the Florida office in 1973-1976. Dan Mica hired me in that office in West Palm Beach. I had just returned from Germany and was seeking employment in the Government. It was truly a great experience for me because I knew nothing about Florida and quickly learned the City and all officials, local, state and federal through that employment.
I became ill and was hospitalized and underwent brain surgery and the Congressman visited me in the Intensive Care ward; and, that created a lot of hoopla on the Ward because he came to see me! I will never forget that. He was very special and made a special effort to know all of his employees and their family by name. You have lost a jewel and he will be greatly missed by you I'm sure. I thought of him over the years and wondered about him and it was coincidental that I was seeking Dan Mica or another matter when I heard the sad news of his passing. He's just away, you will meet again! God bless you and you have my prayers.
(Formerly Gloria G.Dicks)

Paul Rogers is correctly lauded for the legacy of Federal commitment to health and the environment that he chiseled into law. I am grateful for getting to watch that from up close. But from my perch as legislative assistant for all other legislation, especially in the Commerce Committee, I got a window on one of Paul’s hallmarks – his unfettered integrity, motivated by his desire simply to do the right thing for the little guy.

On one occasion, a federal judge had ordered the breakup of AT&T, and there was a move to put the local and national phone service monopoly back together, through a piece of legislation referred to as the “Bell Bill”. Its supporters figured that if Paul, a senior and respected member of the Commerce Committee, signed on as a cosponsor, the bill would have a greater chance of success. So, they recruited and dispatched to Washington a Tallahassee lobbyist for Southern Bell who had been Paul’s “little brother” at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at the University of Florida (a place, where, I learned, PGR’s nickname was the “General”). Paul asked me what I thought of the bill. I told him I had read an FTC study that indicated it would be bad for consumers. That comported with Paul’s natural inclination to support the little guy against big business interests. So Paul took the lobbyist and me to La Bagatelle, his restaurant of choice at the time, where if my memory serves me right he performed the Orange Morroc ritual, and then refused to let the lobbyist pay for the meal and sent him home without his co-sponsorship. He just wasn’t subject to influence.

A measure of Paul’s avoidance of influence was his self-imposed rule that he would not accept any campaign contributions from medical interests except for doctors living in his district. What a contrast to today’s perpetual fundraising machine focused on the interests within members’ committee assignments. What an enjoyable job it was, to just try to figure out the right thing to do for the right reasons, and get to do it.

But in the District, it was more than a reputation for integrity – Paul was someone they actually believed they could turn to, even after he was out of office. Within weeks of my returning to Florida in the spring of 1983, I received a call from Paul’s secretary asking me to contact a Mrs. Jones. When I met her, I learned that she was at that place immediately pre-nursing home where she thought her family were out to get her, and, having nowhere else to turn, she was able to find her way to Hogan & Hartson and the one person left whom she thought she could rely on – Paul Rogers. (Of course, Paul was 1,000 miles away, hence the call to this newly relocated Florida lawyer.)

The second, and I think most important, of Paul’s hallmarks was the profound way in which he connected with people. We are not mourning and feeling this emptiness because Paul built NIH or cleaned up the air, but rather because with his passing there is a something missing, a connectedness lost, from our lives. Paul knew that the measure of his success would not be a plaque in the plaza at NIH, but rather what had passed between him and each of us. He engaged you at the root of your humanity, and recruited you into the extended Rogers “family”. And you felt that connectedness with the other members of the family as well.

Once you were in the Rogers “family”, you were in for life. People like Buddy Lochrie and Bob Smith and Stu Ross and John Darlson kept turning up, and next thing you knew, you realized that you and they were part of the family. One of the more touching things Paul did, even in recent years, was to gather his “old guard” for lunch when he had occasion to be in Florida. At the last one I remember, attended by Phil Lewis, Harper “Buddy” Clark, Jon Moyle, Harold Maass, Dick Johnson, Dave McIntosh, and others, Buddy Clark excitedly displayed a photograph of himself with Paul on the Capitol steps after one of Paul’s early campaigns – clearly, after all these years, one of the most significant things in Buddy’s life. And after all these years, Paul was still inviting Buddy to lunch.

For many of us, the connectedness ran deep, and I and a number of others, I think, would count Paul as a second father. He was always there with the word of advice, and prevented a number of trips down wrong paths. As with others, he wouldn’t let miles or years cut the connection, and in recent years we had a custom of singing happy birthday to each other on our respective birthdays each June and July – I’m sure that is a tradition he started, and it is quite startling to pick up the phone and have the first words you hear be Paul Rogers singing ‘happy birthday to you.”

But that is emblematic of the final hallmark that comes to mind – the curious juxtaposition of refinement and civility (which he shared with Becky) on the one hand, and an irreverent capacity to have fun. One of my favorite pictures of Paul shows him seated playing his piano, with his head thrown back, laughing. On the occasion of one reunion, as he drove away, his parting words were, “Stuber, don’t forget to have fun!”

That is how I remember this giant of a man. Paul was forever young – it seemed like he would always be with us, and that is why, at age 87, it still is a shock to have him gone. But Dan has said Paul’s final wishes were to remember the good times, and I can imagine his parting words being, yes, do good, but don’t forget to have fun.

I had the great honor to serve as a legislative assistant to Congressman Paul Rogers in the late 1970s after graduating from FAU. He was my mentor. We stayed in close touch over the years as I rose from youth and eventually became country president for Boeing in Japan. So often I would approach a decision thinking....how would Paul Rogers handle it. Every time I was in Washington I would always see him. I have lost my mentor and my great, great friend. My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Rogers and the whole family. And thank you, Mr. Rogers for everything. I will never ever forget...never.

In all the years I worked with Paul,
I saw every day that
you were the center of his life,
and the inspiration of everything he did.

He carried you with him every moment:
I heard in his voice
and saw on his face
his deep, devoted, unstinting
love for his family.
Thank you for allowing me to speak
about this great, good, man

Please join me in taking
a deep breath.

And join me in savoring that breath.
We can savor a deep breath of air this morning
because the air we're breathing is clean.

And we can savor the water we drink,
we can revel in our nation's priceless
lakes and rivers,
because our water is clean.

We can rejoice in the lives of children
who have overcome diagnoses of cancer.

We can celebrate octogenarians
who flourish in ways unthinkable
only a few decades ago.

For all these blessings, and for many more,
we have Paul Grant Rogers to thank.

Paul Rogers, truly "Mr. Health."

I have often introduced Paul
by first calling out a roster of the nation's
most important legislation:
legislation like
the Clean Air Act
the Clean Water Act
the National Cancer Act
the Act creating the National Institute on Aging.
And at the end of a long list
I would savor the moment
when I astonished the audience
by crediting all these achievements
to one man.

And then I would astonish myself - every time -
because I was privileged to say:
"Please welcome my friend,
Paul Rogers."

How I treasure that gift, Paul's friendship.
Not because it was his nature to withhold himself, or hold himself aloof.
On the contrary, Paul would never dwell for a moment
on his personal role or status.

Paul insisted on the collaborative nature
of his achievements.
It was never, ever, about him.

He was that most persuasive of leaders.
A leader who diverted attention from himself
into attention to a cause.
A leader who converted honor to himself
into honor for others.
A leader who transformed
a celebration of his achievements
into a clarion call to all within earshot
to join with him,
to join with each other
to make new plans
to embrace the next challenge
to overcome the obstacles
to accomplish the goal.

And for Paul, they were always
astounding goals,
unheard of goals,
goals that would take your breath away.

And always in the interest of the nation,
Always for the public health
Always for the well-being
of all of us, our children
and all generations to come.

Earlier this morning,
I visited another cathedral.
A cathedral much like this one,
a cathedral that soars with
our highest aspirations
to help, to heal, to protect.
A cathedral that comprehends human frailty
even as it strengthens us
in our determination
and in our hope.
This morning I sat quietly
amid the daily comings and goings of
that secular cathedral,
the National Institutes of Health.

I sat on the Paul G. Rogers Plaza,
contemplating the plaque that bears his name.
A simple metal plate
secured on an unobtrusive but immoveable rock,
surrounded by beautiful, fragrant, timeless roses.

I paid tribute to the spirit of this man
Who was tireless, undaunted, indomitable.

He never stopped; he hardly even paused.

For each new issue, for each new challenge
Paul would throw himself, yet again, into the breach:
"What if we try this?"
"Let's find a way to do that."
"Here's how we get started."
"Let's make some calls."
And then we did start making calls,
to everyone Paul could think of.
And that's a lot of people.
I never heard anyone turn him down.

He was relentless.

I can hear him now
as I heard him so many times,
insisting on the
absolute necessity of research for health.
He would repeat his maxim: "without research,
there is no hope."
He would say it three times:
"Without research, there is no hope."
"Without RESEARCH, there is no hope."
"Without RESEARCH, there is NO HOPE."

And Paul knew - no one knew better -
that the work of his life
would never end.

If he were to speak to us today,
he would challenge us
to make another goal come true.
He would challenge us to forge
an alliance of leaders
of the new generation.
Young leaders from business,
science, government,
voluntary organizations.
Leaders like his daughter Laing.
Leaders who will carry the call
for research
into the next decades
and into every community,
and out to the world, for the world
for the health of all the people in the world.

If he were to speak to us today,
I believe he would ask
each and every one of us
to urge our Congress to establish
a significant new award.
It would recognize at their finest hour
those dedicated researchers,
often working in teams, who
end the scourge of AIDS
and prevent the heartbreak of Alzheimer's
and banish diabetes and arthritis and heart disease
and bring the war on cancer to its end.

But of course, I am wrong to say "if" he were to speak.
Of course: he does speak to us today.
Of course: his voice is heard today
as it will be heard tomorrow and next week,
next year, and beyond.

His voice, I believe, will be heard
for as long as anyone in the nation
is willing to set great goals
and willing to take on
the work that everyone else says is
unlikely, impossible,
or just plain too hard.

Whenever there is anyone willing to set goals that
take your breath away
but set your brain racing,
and give you new hope
to accomplish the public good...

Then we can be sure that the voice of Paul Rogers
will be heard -
Speaking for health
Speaking for research
Speaking for new possibilities
Speaking for progress
Speaking for action
Speaking for leadership.

A voice not loud,
or demanding
but insistent,
humane,
inspiring,
indomitable.

Paul G. Rogers - - - I’ve known him forever. I was 12 years old in Washington on vacation with my father (FRED) and my mother (EVELYN). Stood out on the SW corner terrace of the Longworth building (I think) and had my photo taken with Congressman Rogers with the Capitol in the background. Even had a photo taken there years later (circa 1965) with Jay Bo Miner and Paul, and yes, I finally after my defeat in the ’72 Congressional race starting calling him Paul, even though it was difficult, (and yes I remember how we all threw a hissy fit about “STU ROSS” calling him Paul) but he was always my Congressman.

The years have really flown. I can remember delivering Congressman Roger’s signs and posters for my father to supporters of Paul’s in LaBelle, Moore Haven, etc. when I was only
16.

First time I ever met Bette Anne, she thought I was an Indian with my face and arms so red from working in the Florida sun. I was in DC with my father.

I had the good fortune to be stationed near DC when I was in the Army. I often visited the “OFFICE”. I always thought Buddy Lochrie was older, because of his great wisdom, and then one day after you’ve left the hill you realize he’s only a few years older then yourself.

I asked Congressman Rogers on one of those visits if there was a chance of working for him. I left the Army on a Friday in May of ‘67 and started on the “HILL” on Monday, in that great position as a “DOORMAN”. Working on the House floor (I realized what a great speaker Paul was and ranked him in those years as 8th best in the House) with the little odd jobs in the office “El Capitain of the mailing list”. I remember finding Joseph Peale’ name (Chillingsworth murders) on an old list and asked Paul if he wanted to keep sending the “Newsletter” to him in Raford Prison. “Nervous Shock” set in. Damn don’t send anything to him.

I quickly learned what a Secretary’s Handbook was for. I learned those little secrets about letter writing. If one of those Lovely secretary’s put Dear Mr. Sikes, you always heard Paul say “don’t I call him Fred and he would over-write the Mr. Sikes with Fred and then he’d say “isn’t his wife’s name Evelyn” and he’d put a little P.S. - - give my love to Evelyn. Another lesson in how to get votes.

If constituents living in the district came by the office you always lead them by the hand until you found the Congressman. Oh, the numbers of votes that got him when they got home and told that story “the Congressman came off the House floor to speak with us” Who could every forget all those kids from the school patrol (the one kid smart enough to be on both ends of the photo) that later became voters.

In circa ’74 I think, they were having a grand opening of the “Health Dome” that was built to help the citizens of Harlem (yes the name Harlem - - as Buddy Lochrie said, “learn the district” -- is correct; it’s on the county & state maps and is just outside the city limits of “America’s Sweetest Town” Clewiston – even though in ’74 it was in that so and so Bafalass’s District. Paul was the scheduled guest speaker.

I was working for US Sugar at the time and made all the arrangements to pick Paul up in Lantana on US Sugar’s plane and fly him to Clewiston. We’re in Lantana and there was one hell of a thunderstorm bearing down on us from the north and Paul was fidgeting. The pilot said we gotta go now, if we’re going. We all loaded on the plane (I think Mica was with us) and took off right into this huge thunderstorm. Lighting popping all around with the wind really buffeting this small plane (it was twin engine, but small - - Paul had refused to fly on single engines after Hale Boggs never returned from Alaska) from side to side, up and down. Paul’s going into overdrive. (You all know how bad he could be in a car. It was Charles Miner who stopped the car and got out in WPB one time. Paul had to promise to quit back seat driving.) He say’s “tell him to turn this plane around , get us on the ground Sikes. I’m telling you pure panic had set in. This was the worst I’d ever seen Paul - -
he probably would have bailed if he’d had a parachute. Forrest (the pilot) heard Paul’s urgent plea and turned to him and said “we’ll be out of this in one minute, (he was looking at the radar screen) and luckily he was correct. We flew into clear blue skies within a minute.

The big event in Harlem came off without a hitch, but as we drove back to the Clewiston airport all you could see in the eastern sky (toward WPB) was pure black. Paul began another round of fidgets - - “maybe you better drive me back to West Palm, he said”. I said, “Paul, are you sure you want to ride across State road 80 (2 lane) thru the middle of a thunderstorm with a canal beside the road with me. I added a little fear to the statement.

Well, luckily when we got to the airport Forrest had been looking at the radar. He informed Paul that we’d fly northeast toward Stuart and then back south to the WPB airport, and true to his word we had a smooth flight all the way back. I must say over the years I didn’t let him forget the flight to Clewiston.

Wow, we need a reunion!!! All the great stories, all the great people. Who could ever forget the campaign of 68 or 70 against Bob Rust when we were all in WPB.

It was just a great pleasure, to be considered part of the Roger’s family. The great parties, hosted by Paul and Becky. There was such great talent and wisdom within that office. We all learned so much about this great country and how it functions.

I better hush for now. You’ll all be calling me the rambler instead of THE BREEZE.

The Great Paul Rogers has passed from our presence but will live forever in our lives and memories. We have in the last week celebrated his early days; his valor in war; his rise in political life in Washington; his ascendency to the world series of health, environmental, and medical research issues; the dedication of a plaza at NIH in his name; culminating in the world wide moniker awarded to him: MR. HEALTH.

Add to that in Washington, Florida and the World his and Becky’s civic and social presence for noble causes and friendship.

All of that is quite a record which would make his Mother and Father very proud of his life. But, it would be an incomplete statement of his life because it would ignore what made him, the Great Paul Rogers. And that is what I want to share with you.

If you want to know what made him the Great Paul Rogers, remember in the tearful eyes of Rebecka, Lilly, Cole and Ali Sisto, his grandchildren. They know! Look to Becky, Laing, John, Doyle, Barbara, Dwight and Virginia, who have left us, and 23 nieces and nephews, they know! Look to every relative of his for they know too! And here is what they know: if he had never won a battle decoration; never passed a bill; never been on a board of directors; or awarded honorary degrees; never had plazas or buildings named after him; these folks, his family, would feel the exact same way they do today because the Great Paul Rogers was, in all circumstances, the most compassionate, loving, fair, honest and least mean-spirited person I have every known, or, witnessed in life’s interpersonal play among human beings. He usually made me feel – and I think I’m a pretty good guy – like Cruella DeVille.

Paul had a compass of integrity embedded in him which was powered by his sense of love, friendship and compassion for others, so for me, my Goodbye is not so much wrapped up in his accomplishments in public life, as it is in his remarkable personal character and how, in different ways, he shared that unique love of friendship, family and mankind with everyone.

So each of us must remember the Great Gift the Great Paul Rogers gave to us: his humanity and his humility. He did not teach us how to die, he taught us how to live.

So cry on my friends in strength not in fear, for the moment that moves you is well worth a tear.

Paul - As a youth I stood on street corners with signs extolling your virtues and beliefs. As an adult, you provided me an example to which I could develop into a better person. When needed, you were always there with wise counsel. You are loved. You are missed. Thank you for what you contributed to the betterment of where we call home and the world in which we live. You left it a better place. Thank you. Rest in peace.

My father, Tom, was a "dyed in the wool" Republican. But he said the politician he most admired, throughout his life, was Paul Rogers. He spoke often of Paul's integrity and drive to truly care for his constituency. We were all richer for having Paul in our lives, as will generations to come.

I was a young lad from Delray Beach seeking my political opportunities in Washington in the late 1960s. Paul & Becky Rogers were always helpful in any way they could be. I remember many a Florida State Society Party on Capitol Hill when Congressman Rogers and his wife were gracious hosts. The world has lost a fine man whose compassion, honesty and care for his fellow citizens made him stand out. You do not find any like him today on "The Hill" ...

I worked for the law firm of Rogers, Morris & Ziegler for 32 years, working 17 years for John E. Morris, Jr. and 15 years for Romney Rogers. Paul Rogers visited our office many times and it was always a great pleasure to see him and visit with him. He was a great statesman and will be dearly missed. I extend my sympathies to his family.
Stephanie Fernandes, Sebring, FL

My father, Thomas L. Bailey, died of cancer at the age of 40 in 1963 and was a classmate,fellow WPB attorney and friend of Mr. Rogers. I am sorry to hear of his passing. His was a life well lived.

Thomas L. Bailey, III

My husband, Paul Tippett, and I had the pleasure of hosting a cocktail party for Congressman Rogers and his wife at our home in North Palm Beach prior to a Rotary dinner. Those were wonderful times.

Our families have a great history all
these years and as i speach for my
father he and i send our deepest thoughts to your family for your loss
and gratitude for our relationship all
these years from our family.

Paul was a good friend of mine and a Great Gator. He will be sorely missed by the University of Florida and by the entire nation.

Congressman Paul G. Rogers, alongtime congressman, a gentleman, a public servant, one that put all others before himself and helped those that could not help themselves. A man of honesty, integrity. He shall be remembered by many for many days to come. His passing is a tremendous loss to his family and all that knew him.

When I was only 19 and stationed at Fort Bragg with my husband, he received orders to go on a TDY to Germany a month before our child was due to be born. I didn't know anyone in NC...my family was in Florida...and I didn't want to have our baby alone. I contacted Congressman Rogers and he contacted the Air Force and they allowed my husband to stay with me until a few weeks after the baby was born. I never forgot this act of kindness from a man whom I had never even met before.....but whom I have never forgotten in the past 38 years. My condolences to his family.

Paul has been a friend since childhood in Fort Lauderdale and my wife, Betty, helped in his successful campaign to replace his father in the U.S. Congress. We have all lost a good man who served his District with honor and dignity.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Dear Roger Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Uncle Paul was a great man. I'm sure he and my grandfather (Johndaddy) are having a great reunion in heaven. I loved how he would always address me as Hugh Paul. I will miss not hearing that. I'm honored to have his name as part of mine. We will miss him!
Sincerely,
Hugh Paul Morris, Jr.

Paul was very helpful when I served as executive director of the Association of Schools of the Allied Health Professions. The Allied Health Professions would not have achieved the recognition it has today had it not been for Paul's support and guidance.

Bill Samuels, Boca Raton.

I had the pleasure of meeting Paul while working on a health initiative for a Newark, NJ based hospital campaign. Mr. Rogers was extremely gracious to us, and determined to help us succeed in our efforts.

A true gentleman, and a wonderful champion for funding life-saving health initiatives.

Amy J. Hever

Paul was a fine man and a good friend. I will miss him.

To his family and close friends our deepest regrets on his passing. I met the Congressman by complete accident in National Airport in Washington around 1980 or 81. I first recognized Congressman Mica sitting alone and waiting for our connection to board to PBI. I introduced my self as being from his district and we had a nice conversation. I told Congressman Mica that I enjoyed receiving his annual questionaire that asked us our opinions on various legislature and to rate performance etc. Mr Mica then told me that he had inherited that idea from Paul Roger's and to my complete surprise turned around to address a gentleman seated behind him. He said "Paul meet a friend from WPB" I had not seen Mr Rogers sitting there before. It was a wonderfull experience. Mr Rogers told me that the idea for the questionaire came from his father! A chance meeting I will never forget. America has lost yet another great champion of our country.
V/R Don Graves Jr

It was a pleasure to work with Congressman Rogers during the 70's, while president of the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and EVP of the Orlando Chamber. He was always a gentleman, taking the time to initiate and return numerous phone conversations re: the national political scene. He was one of the "Good Guys" and will be deeply missed by his legion of fans. Barry Epstein, Boca Raton