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Remarks by Representative Edelstein

Of New York

Mr. EDELSTEIN. Mr. Speaker, under leave to extend my remarks in the Record, I include the following remarks by the Honorable James M. Mead, United States Senator from New York, in memory of the late Honorable WILLIAM I. SIROVICH, a distinguished Member of the House of Representatives:

TRIBUTE BY SENATOR JAMES M. MEAD

The death of the Honorable WILLIAM I. SIROVICH came as almost a tragedy to his army of friends and admirers. Here was a man who felt that the greatest stake in life was the accumulation of friends. A man of science, of culture, and of the higher attainments, he enjoyed nothing more than serving his fellowmen. He was a true public servant in every sense of the word.

Dr. SIROVICH remained a figure in the public eye from the day he graduated from public school in the populous lower East Side of New York. He entered the City College of New York and, subsequently, graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University with the degree of doctor of medicine. At this point he accepted membership on the school board of the fifth district of Manhattan, and he remained there as chairman and member for nearly 25 years. During this time he devoted himself constantly and unselfishly to the public service. He did much valuable work with the hospital commission, the State prison commission, the State charities conference, and other bodies which framed the workmen's compensation laws and which inquired into the subject of adequate pensions for widows and orphans.

By 1918 he had become vice president of the child welfare board of the city of New York; he had been superintendent of the People's Hospital since 1910; he had lectured extensively on educational problems; he had been appearing at large hearings in Albany to advocate social and economic improvements; he had established himself as a leading figure in the pursuit of public improvement. Vigorous, courageous, intelligent, and liberal, Dr. SIROVICH WAS an outstanding Member of the House of Representatives. His speeches in the Congress were literary and intellectual gems, and his foresight commanded legislative attention and respect.

I felt a deep personal loss in the death of this friend and adviser. He made service in the House pleasanter and easier and more fruitful for us all. Keen of wit, lovable of personality, and ever forceful in character, his name and his memory are deeply engraved in the hearts of all of us who knew him.

Remarks by Representative Bland

Of Virginia

Mr. BLAND. Mr. Speaker, for many years I served with Hon. WILLIAM I. SIROVICH, a Member of this House from the Fourteenth Congressional District of New York. Not only did I serve with him in the House but he was next to me on the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of which I am chairman. He became expert in the work of that committee and faithfully attended its hearings and deliberations. In his enthusiasm to do what was best he solicited information from all sources where it might be found. He was keen to promote the best interests of the merchant marine and of the various subjects falling within the jurisdiction of the committee. Whatever the subject, whether pertaining to the merchant marine or fisheries, or any of the other subjects under the jurisdiction of the committee, he was ready and willing to give the best that was in him.

The jurisdiction of the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries extends not only to the merchant marine and fisheries, but also to the Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey, Lighthouse Service, marine hospitals, and Panama Canal. In all of these subjects Dr. SIROVICH became an expert, and his opinion was sound. Many of his views are now law. Once convinced of the justice of his course, he devoted himself unsparingly to the task of translating his convictions into law.

Dr. SIROVICH was popular. His constant desire to help other Members with their problems made them his friends, and they were considerate of his appeals when matters pertaining to his committee required attention.

Dr. SIROVICH was genial, friendly, forceful, and a capable legislator. He held the best interest of his country as his

first consideration. Even when his health should have precluded his participation in the deliberations of the House or his committee he was present with a constant desire that those whose interests he championed might be fully represented.

Dr. SIROVICH was vigilant and active at all times to protect and promote the best interests of his constituents. He never spared himself where they were concerned. He set an example of service which all of us may emulate and will find it impossible to surpass.

I do not know any way in which I can more fully present my views of his service, and the views of my committee on which he served so efficiently, than by including here a copy of the resolution of the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries unanimously adopted on January 4, 1940, in appreciation of the fine, faithful, and devoted service he rendered at all times.

This resolution tells the story of his service with the committee more eloquently than any words of mine. On motion of his colleague from New York, Congressman James O'Leary, a member of the committee, the following resolution was adopted and appears in the minutes of the committee and in the Congressional Record, Seventy-sixth Congress, third session, page 46:

Whereas during the recent recess of Congress this committee has suffered the loss of one of its members who has contributed materially to its work in the past and has rendered most valuable assistance in the success of the committee's legislative program: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, first, that the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the Seventy-sixth Congress records its appreciation of the splendid service on the committee of Hon. WILLIAM I. SIROVICH, former ranking Democratic member of the committee and late a Member of the Seventy-sixth Congress of the United States from the Fourteenth Congressional District of New York;

Second, that this committee realizes that in the death of Hon. WILLIAM I. SIROVICH the Nation has lost one of its most patriotic and loyal citizens, the House of Representatives of the United

States has lost a wise, highly cultured, and industrious Member, and this committee has lost a zealous, courageous, and enthusiastic champion and supporter of legislation for the upbuilding and preservation of the American merchant marine, the improvement of working conditions on board ships, and the best interest of all the various subjects coming within the scope of the jurisdiction of this committee;

Third, that the committee will miss the assistance and guidance of Dr. SIROVICH in its deliberations.

Fourth, that the chairman of this committee is hereby authorized to request that a copy of this resolution be made a part of the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD; and

Fifth, that the clerk of the committee is hereby directed to make this resolution a part of the records of the committee and to transmit a copy of this resolution to the family of the deceased.

Remarks by Representative Coffee

Of Washington

Mr. COFFEE of Washington. Mr. Speaker, the tragic passing of the brilliant Dr. WILLIAM I. SIROVICH was a poignant blow to me. I enjoyed immensely his friendship, the inspiration of his scholarship, his unfailing liberalism, his courageous championship of dissident minorities, and his unalloyed statesmanship.

On frequent occasions he would give me the benefit of his considered counsel on matters of pending legislation. In my first term in this House he rendered me invaluable aid in connection with my official duties. His thorough familiarity with the classics never failed to thrill me, as revealed in the speeches he made on the House floor. I was always inspired and filled with awe by the erudition with which his orations were studded. Dr. SIROVICH possessed a marvelous grasp of science, literature, the drama, history, sociology, medicine. He was conversant with the discoveries of the past; he was alert to the lesson of the centuries. He was keenly attuned to the contributions made by bygone ages.

His passing created a vacancy hard to fill. He was a colorful figure of pleasing appearance and personality. He was always well dressed, a man of sartorial impeccability, at whom one was proud to point as a Member of Congress of the United States.

We miss him in this body, Mr. Speaker; we need him with us today. And so I say, BILL SIROVICH, your physical presence may no longer be with us, but the work which you have done lives on.

I recall on many occasions, when BILL SIROVICH felt impelled to take up the cudgels for some unpopular cause at the very risk of his life, aware as he was of the impending

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