Remarks by Representative Fay Of New York Mr. FAY. Mr. Speaker, this memorial service in the House of Representatives in commemoration of our departed colleagues brings to mind a former Member of Congress whose kindly spirit, unselfish devotion, and integrity endeared him to the hearts of all who knew him. I speak of Dr. WILLIAM IRVING SIROVICH, who represented the Fourteenth District of New York City and served through the Seventieth, Seventy-first, Seventy-second, Seventy-third, Seventy-fourth, and Seventy-fifth Congresses, was reelected to the Seventy-sixth Congress, and died during his tenure of office. While serving as a junior Member of the House, it was my good fortune to count on Dr. SIROVICH as a wise and friendly counselor, who was never too burdened with his own problems to lend a helpful hand to a colleague. Dr. SIROVICH was known for his simplicity, his purposeful directness, his humanitarian sympathies which served the people of the Fourteenth District of New York City for so many years. He was born in York, Pa., in 1882, devoted himself as he grew into manhood to the study of medicine. Perseverance to high principles in his professional practice and private life enabled him to grasp a keen insight, not only into sick and injured bodies, but also into the very souls of those to whom his healing hands administered. He developed an intuition into the unexpressed hopes and fears of mankind and began to realize that man might well serve his brothers by becoming an instrument through which the democratic principles of Americanism could be demonstrated; he knew that security, a good standard of living, improved housing conditions, and assurances of a true representation of the people through our form of government were also vital to the well-being of the Nation. And so WILLIAM IRVING SIROVICH became a public servant of the United States of America and served well and faithfully for many long years, gaining the love and respect of all those with whom he came in contact. Brave, courageous, and farsighted, he had the courage of his convictions and stood steadfast on those principles he believed right and just. It is a sad loss to us and to the country at large that our friend passed on before his life span had normally completed itself. I feel that Dr. SIROVICH himself would have said, “As long as I must leave you now, I am proud to depart while still in the service of our wonderful country which I love so much." Therefore, this should be no occasion for sadness, but rather one of thankfulness that it was our privilege to work side by side with such a great exponent of Americanism. In assuring his family of our great sympathy, I wish also to pledge to them that the citizenship, love of country, and conscientious adherence to humanitarian principles exhibited by WILLIAM IRVING SIROVICH Will always linger over this body, as a perpetual example of a great American. Remarks by Representative Fitzpatrick Of New York Mr. FITZPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, my first meeting with Hon. WILLIAM I. SIROVICH was in the Seventieth Congress, when we were serving our first term in the House of Representatives. He was a sympathetic, kind, and understanding person, and always worked untiringly in behalf of the struggling masses in this country. As a doctor of medicine, he was always ready and willing to serve the poor people of his district in a professional capacity. As a Member of Congress he advocated the enactment of humanitarian legislation that would be beneficial to the people throughout the United States. His passing is not only a loss to the people of his congressional district but to the Nation as a whole. Remarks by Representative Cullen Mr. CULLEN. Mr. Speaker, in the death of the Honorable WILLIAM I. SIROVICH, late Representative in Congress from the Fourteenth Congressional District of New York, the House has lost one of its most distinguished Members. It was my pleasure to have known Congressman SIROVICH most intimately for many years in the practice of medicine in the city of New York, where he was one of the city's most outstanding and celebrated physicians. As a physician, and as a citizen, he stood for the best interests of his community and his country. The finest words that can be spoken of him tell of his devotion to his constituency. They were always uppermost in his thoughts. He not only gave them loyal and faithful service as a legislator, but gave freely of his medical advice and skill to many who were unable to remunerate him because of their financial insecurity. It can be truthfully said that Dr. SIROVICH was a great humanitarian and his one objective in life was to serve his fellow man. He was elected to Congress on March 4, 1927, and served continuously until the time of his death on December 17, 1939. At the time of his untimely death he was chairman of the important Patents Committee and also ranking majority member of the important Civil Service Committee. He was an indefatigable worker and his counsel and advice was frequently sought in connection with national problems. Dr. SIROVICH was in all probability one of the most intellectual and cultured men who ever served in the House of Representatives. He was generally recognized as an authority on historical subjects and frequently held the House spellbound with his orations on history and the various political changes which have taken place throughout the centuries. Death has deprived America of a devoted and distinguished public servant. It has deprived those of us who were close to him of a friend who cannot be replaced. Remarks by Representative Rich Of Pennsylvania Mr. RICH. Mr. Speaker, I wish to join in paying tribute to the memory of my late colleague and fellow Member WILLIAM SIROVICH, from the State of New York. Throughout his career of public service, he gave himself unstintingly in the performance of his many and arduous duties. His sterling personal qualities and outstanding ability won for him the esteem and respect of all with whom he came in contact. It has been my privilege and pleasure to know and work with WILLIAM SIROVICH. His death came as a great shock to his host of friends throughout the Nation. His life was marked by many worthy achievements and his name will long be remembered as that of one who wrought much and well for the district in which he lived and the State and Nation to whom he devoted his life. |