Expressing Sorrow of the House at the Death of the Honorable Charlie Norwood, Member of Congress from the State of Georgia

EXPRESSING SORROW OF THE HOUSE AT THE DEATH OF THE HONORABLE CHARLIE NORWOOD, MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to stand this afternoon to give some remarks about our colleague and dear friend, CHARLIE NORWOOD.

Shakespeare wrote that all the world is a stage and all the men and women merely players. Each has his entrance and his exit. One man in his time may play many parts.

So it was with CHARLIE. CHARLIE was a son, a son to Charlie Norwood, Sr., and Lola. He was a husband to Gloria. He was a father to Charlie and Carlton and a grandfather. And he was a cousin to two very, very wonderful ladies down in Valdosta who said that they often prayed for Cousin Charlie, because they just couldn't understand how he became a Republican.

CHARLIE was a student. CHARLIE got his bachelor's. He studied dentistry. He was a soldier. He served his country. He was in Vietnam. But CHARLIE was a public servant. CHARLIE believed in serving leadership, and he lived it.

CHARLIE really was great, because measured by the standards of Jesus, that he who is great among you shall be your servant, and he who is greatest shall be servant unto all, CHARLIE measured up.

CHARLIE was a fighter. CHARLIE fought hard for any principle in which he believed. He didn't give up, as you heard, on the Patients' Bill of Rights. He was a fierce competitor. I often didn't agree with him, but I had to admire his tenacity, because he was a fighter. And all the way to the end, CHARLIE fought. He fought for life.

We are all blessed, really blessed, to have known CHARLIE. And Gloria was devoted to CHARLIE. She took leave from her duties as a member of the Congressional Club to attend to CHARLIE, to give CHARLIE her best efforts in his last days.

But CHARLIE served well. He really embodied God's minute. I have only just a minute, only 60 seconds in it; forced upon me, can't refuse it; didn't seek it, didn't choose, did it; I must suffer if I lose it, give account if I abuse it; just a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it.

Thank you, CHARLIE. You used your minute well.

Mr. DEAL of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Thank you, Congressman Deal, for coordinating this tribute to a patriot.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute and remembrance of my dear friend and our colleague CHARLIE NORWOOD. Upon my election 5 years ago, two of the first people to offer guidance to me were CHARLIE and Gloria Norwood. As a Member of Congress from an adjoining district, I learned firsthand of CHARLIE's dedication to the public and his love of America. Gloria has been a model First Lady for the district, enthusiastically assisting CHARLIE in his life of public service.

CHARLIE was a committed health care practitioner, a loving family man and a passionate public servant. He spent his entire life fighting for the people of his beloved Georgia.

True to his character, CHARLIE fought to the end, despite debilitating health conditions. He was always in good spirits, even though we knew he was exerting extraordinary efforts to fully represent his constituents. He reminded me so much of my predecessor, the late Congressman Floyd Spence, a fellow courageous lung transplant recipient.

I had the pleasure of serving with CHARLIE on the Education and Workforce Committee. I am honored to, this year, be the Republican ranking member on the Workforce Protection Subcommittee, which CHARLIE ably chaired for three terms.

In Congress, CHARLIE was an ardent advocate for health care reform and patients' rights. He was a good friend and strong supporter of the employees of the Savannah River Nuclear Laboratory. I was proud to work closely with him in our efforts to create a MOX facility for the transformation of plutonium waste at the Savannah River site.

CHARLIE is survived by his wife Gloria; his two sons, Charles and Carlton; and four grandchildren. Roxanne and I join with his colleagues in mourning his passing and send our prayers to his family, staff and constituents. May God bless the Norwood family at this time, and may they know that he made a significant and positive difference for America.

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