Celebrating Life of Michael C. Savage

CELEBRATING LIFE OF MICHAEL C. SAVAGE -- (House of Representatives - July 12, 2004)

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of January 20, 2004, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have always been told that life is filled with uncertainty. Therefore, we should always endeavor to do as much as we can while we can because we never know when the time will come when we cannot do.

Such has been the life of Michael C. Savage who recently died in a boating accident. Mike was young, 51 years of age. He was openly gay, had a partner of 15 years, was a loving son to his mother, Ms. Maureen Savage, and brother to his siblings, Chuck and Cindy.

Mike was the chief executive officer of Access Community Health Network, probably the most successful group of community health centers in the country. Mike worked on AIDS and gay issues in Chicago, moved away to Boston to become executive director of the Fenway Community Health Center, and then returned to Chicago to run the Access Community Health Corporation.

When Mike took over Access in 1994, they had nine sites. At the time of his death, he had grown the network into 41 sites and increased its annual budget from $19 million a year to almost $70 million, and they served over 160,000 patients a year. In addition to his full time professional job, Mike was an active member of Dignity Chicago, a community of lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and straight Catholics. He was also active with United Power For Action, Stand Against Cancer, and was a board member of the National Association of Community Health Centers.

Mr. Speaker, I have been around the community health center movement for many years; as a matter of fact, since its inception, and I have never encountered a more talented, energetic, visionary and effective leader, planner, and manager. It is indeed unfortunate Mike passed on so soon. Fortunately, he did much good while he was here.

Therefore, I express condolences to his family, friends and colleagues, and trust that Access will continue as the best of its kind in the Nation. We simply pause to say thank you to Mike Savage.