Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) led a moment of silence on behalf of former U.S. Congressman from Georgia, J. Roy Rowland, Jr. before which he delivered the following remarks:

WATCH: Congressman Bishop Remembers Former Congressman J. Roy Rowland, Jr.

“Mr. Speaker, as dean of the Georgia delegation, I regret to inform the House that our former colleague, the Honorable James Roy Rowland, Jr. passed away. He was a beloved husband, father, and friend. I had the honor of working with him in the Georgia state legislature as well as here in this House of Representatives.

“He was courageous in his convictions and a steadfast advocate for better healthcare for all Americans — especially our military veterans.

“He served in the House from 1983 through 1995. During that time, he was a member of several committees including the Veterans Affairs, Armed Services, Public Works and Transportation, and Government Operations as well as the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control and the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families.

“We were both Distinguished Eagles Scouts and I had the pleasure of presenting him with that award in 2014. In attendance were many current and former Congressional colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans. It was a testament to the warmth and care he embodied as well as his bipartisanship.

“I noted at the time that the trail that Eagle Scouts walk never ends. Such was the life of J. Roy Rowland, Jr. who became an Eagle Scout in 1942. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War 2. He was a physician, author, philanthropist, and public servant who made our community and our world a better place to live in so many ways.

“He led a distinguished and honorable life and he will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Luella, his children, and his entire family.”

Original source can be found here.