Memorial Addresses Remarks by Representative Kennedy Of New York Mr. MARTIN J. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, as the Seventysixth Congress meets today to pay tribute to those former colleagues who have passed on to greater rewards during the past year, it is with deep sorrow that I take this opportunity to pay my own respects to the memory of one of the most able and unselfish men who ever served in the Chamber at the other end of the Capitol. I refer to the late ROYAL S. COPELAND of my own State, who died last June 17, after 20 years as a zealous guardian of public health and as a states man. Time dims the pangs of sorrow, of pain, and soothes the bereaved mind and heart. Nearly a year has passed and we of New York-and countless friends throughout the Nationhave come to accept the fact that Senator COPELAND has passed on; that the inevitable red carnation that symbolized his thoughts and his profession is buried near the township of Nyack with his mortal self. Yet he is missed and that fact is the measuring rod by which men are judged. Doctor of medicine, doctor of laws, master of arts, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, ROYAL COPELAND devoted his knowledge and skill to the improvement of the body. It is futile to reveal his entire career as a statesman, for above every other thing, he will be remembered as an adviser to the sick, a counselor for the prevention of human ailments. In time other great personalities may adorn themselves with the familiar red flower that he made famous in the Senate Chamber; they may become great statesmen; but no more determined and devoted health advocate could ever replace the departed Dr. COPELAND. He first came to national attention as health commissioner of New York City, and he continued his activities in that direction when he first came to the Senate in 1922. As arduous as his duties on the floor and in the committee and in his office, he daily sent health advice to millions of readers throughout the Nation through his daily health chats in the columns of a huge newspaper chain. He found time occasionally to broadcast additional facts to prevent disease and guard the health of his listeners. All over the country today are persons who owe their life to him, some because of laws to guard foodstuffs, thousands of women because he fostered legislation to protect them against poisonous cosmetics and so-called "patent medicines." Not only the State of New York, but the entire Nation lost a friend when Senator and Dr. COPELAND died. I think that he would like better to have been called "Doctor" instead of "Senator." That is my opinion and that is how he lives in my memory. Mr. Speaker, his favorite hymn bears out that assertion. It was C. Austin Miles' In the Garden, a perfect companion piece, so to say, to his other constant companion, that red carnation. It was with these beautiful words sung by my friend, Gerald E. Griffin, he went to his lasting resting place; God rest his soul: I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses; And the melody that He gave to me, within my heart is ringing. But He bids me go; thru the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling. Chorus And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am his own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known. Remarks by Representative Keogh Of New York Mr. KEOGH. Mr. Speaker, I approach the task of paying tribute to the late ROYAL S. COPELAND with humility, for here, truly, was a great man. Kindly under all circumstances, patient beyond words, sympathetic to all, his stature grew with lengthening years. His service was the service of one steeped in things American-capable, patriotic, representative. His life was the life of a benefactor of mankind-ministering to man's ills-physical, social, economic-here was a "doctor" of medicine, public health, statesmanship. His death was indeed a loss to a great Nation and a great State. To his family I extend my heartfelt sympathy. To his wife, his constant companion, I confess that no words of mine could begin to bring adequate consolation. Her consolation can only come in the realization that his life was a noble one, his benefactions many, and his memory sacred and hallowed to his countless friends and colleagues. He has earned eternal happiness. May he have it! |
