For Immediate Release Contact: Gayle Converse, 404-756-6701, gconverse@msm.edu Dr. Louis W. Sullivan to Give Remarks at Rogers' Funeral Atlanta — Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) President Emeritus Dr. Louis W. Sullivan joins other U.S. dignitaries today at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. for the funeral for former U.S. Rep. Paul G. Rogers. Sullivan is an invited speaker for the services. Rogers played a critical role in the establishment and growth of MSM, providing initial construction funding for the MSM campus. He earned the nickname "Mr. Health" to honor his continuous work on environmental and health care legislation during a 24-year career in Congress. The Florida Democrat also served as MSM's inaugural convocation speaker. "Paul Rogers was a key member of Congress during a time of tremendous expansion of health education during the latter part of the 20th Century. He was instrumental in his support of legislation to provide $5 million in funding toward construction of the very first building on the Morehouse School of Medicine campus — the Basic Medical Education Building," said Sullivan. "Paul Rogers was one-of-a-kind. He was always thinking ahead and continuing his support of medical education and biomedical science in the years following his congressional career." Elected in Florida to fill a seat left vacant by his father's death, Rogers served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1955 to 1979. His nickname emerged when he served as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Health and the Environment for eight years. He left a legacy of health care legislation, including his work on the National Cancer Act of 1971, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Air Act. Rogers died Oct. 13, 2008 at the age of 87.
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