To: OBITUARY EDITORS

Contact: Amy Levey of GYMR Public Relations, +1-202-745-5116, for Research!America; or Eva Maciejewski of Research!America, +1-703-739-2577, ext. 44

'Mr. Health,' Research!America Chair Emeritus, Former Florida Congressman

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Research!America responds to the news of the Oct. 13 death of The Honorable Paul G. Rogers, Research!America chair emeritus (1996-2005) and former Florida Congressman (1955-79):

"It's impossible to convey the enormity of the loss of Paul Rogers," said The Honorable John E. Porter, former Congressman, current Research!America chair, and Hogan & Hartson partner. "He was aptly known as 'Mr. Health' for his 50-year legacy as one of our nation's most accomplished, passionate advocates for health research. He was held in highest esteem by his colleagues, his peers in Congress, by multiple Administrations, and leaders in all areas of health and science.

"Paul was truly a giant, and we were so fortunate to have shared his time and his very great talents as a champion of health research," Porter added.

"Paul Rogers often said that, without research, there is no hope. For the hope that research has brought to lives of Americans and people everywhere, the world owes a great debt of thanks to Paul Rogers," said Mary Woolley, president and CEO of Research!America. "His achievements benefited the lives of Americans young and old, from every corner of the nation. As just one example, thanks to his work on behalf of the National Cancer Act, children's death rates from cancer dropped by more than 60 percent.

"He was a role model and the epitome of public service whose optimism and tireless commitment to health research were the inspiration for generations of advocates. And although he was often honored for his leadership, he never wanted the light to shine on himself. Instead he seized awards and accolades as a time to champion a cause and challenge an audience to make America the world leader in health and research for health.

"To those who knew and worked with Paul, the news of his passing is keenly felt. He will be long remembered as the champion of hope that he was," Woolley concluded.

In his years in Congress, Rogers sponsored or played a major role in enacting major health legislation, including the National Cancer Act of 1971 and 1977, the Medical Device Amendments of 1976, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Health Manpower Training Act, the Research on Aging Act, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, the Emergency Medical Service Act, the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments of 1977, the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Radiation Control for Health & Safety Act. Rogers' subcommittee exercised oversight of the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. An act of Congress in 2000 designated the main plaza at the National Institutes of Health as the Paul G. Rogers Plaza, which was dedicated on his birthday in June 2001.

In 2006 Research!America established the Paul G. Rogers Society for Global Health Research, with founding support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Society's mission is to increase awareness of and make the case for greater U.S. investment in research to fight diseases that disproportionately affect the world's poorest nations.

Research!America is the nation's largest not-for-profit public education and advocacy alliance working to make research to improve health a higher national priority. Founded in 1989, it is supported by 500 member organizations, which represent more than 125 million Americans. For more information, visit www.researchamerica.org.

SOURCE Research!America

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