Washington, D.C., Oct. 20, 2008 — The American Public Health Association mourns the passing last week of former U.S. Rep. Paul Rogers, a champion of health and the environment.
Rogers served in Congress from 1955 to 1979 and chaired the House subcommittee on health and the environment in his last eight years in office. He was called “Mr. Health” for his leadership in helping pass major health-related legislation, including the National Cancer Act that mobilized federal resources for a war on cancer, the Clean Air Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, among others.
“Paul was a giant among advocates for improving and protecting health,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of the American Public Health Association. “Both during his time in Congress and after, he was a tireless voice for helping win greater investments in public health and medical research. We are grateful for his vision and leadership.”