E1222 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 20, 2009 Annandale Florist, Inc. and Mr. Gary longtime partner and collaborator, has said cently, he received the Patient Advocacy Sherfey for many years of providing com- that Rodger ‘‘did more for the gay world than Award from the American Psychiatric Associa- plimentary flower arrangements displayed on any person has ever done.’’ Rodger was at tion. the theater stage at the Symphony Orchestra the forefront of responding to the AIDS epi- Beyond his professional contributions, concerts and for helping to promote concerts demic as it began to ravage our country in the friends knew Rodger as a devoted caregiver through displays at the florist shop. early 1980’s. Before HIV even had a name, in who nursed countless friends and family mem- Mr. Norman Johnston, a long-time volunteer 1981, Rodger set up the first HIV/AIDS hotline bers battling cancer and AIDS. He was the and one of the founding members of the RMS, anywhere; in fact, he used his home phone. most compassionate and giving of friends, es- who served on the Board of Directors for Rodger, one of the original volunteers at Gay pecially to those in physical or emotional dis- many years. He continues to support the Sym- Men’s Health Crisis, the nation’s first and larg- tress. A hallmark of his personality, his humor phony Orchestra by serving as the organiza- est provider of AIDS client services and public made him stand out from the rest. tion’s graphic artist as well as providing signifi- education programs, became its first paid ex- Please join me in paying tribute to the life of cant financial support both personally and ecutive director. Until his death, Rodger was Rodger McFarlane, a constituent of mine, who through the solicitation of paid advertising. the president emeritus of Bailey House, the was a tireless activist, a brilliant strategist, a Dr. Bruce Mann, Dean of Liberal Arts at nation’s first and largest provider of supportive remarkable leader, and a treasured friend. A Northern Virginia Community College’s Annan- housing for homeless people with HIV. Rodger man who achieved so much in such a short dale campus, who serves as the college’s liai- was also a founding member of ACT UP–NY, time, Rodger will be missed by many. Denver son to the RMS. He oversees the music the pioneering protest group responsible for is better for the time he spent there. Our world courses that involve college students and sweeping changes to public policy as well as is better for the time he spent here. members of the Symphony Orchestra and co- drug treatment and delivery processes. f ordinates the scheduling of concerts and re- In 1989, Rodger became executive director hearsals. In addition, he successfully solicits of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, merg- 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF OAKWOOD and obtains financial resources for concerts. ing two small industry-based fundraising CEMETERY IN MT. VERNON, ILLI- Dr. Mann is presently serving his fourth year groups into one of America’s most successful NOIS on RMS’ Board of Directors. and influential AIDS fundraising and grant- The recipients of The Orchestra/Players making organizations. From 2004 to 2008, HON. JOHN SHIMKUS Awards are: Rodger served as the executive director of the OF ILLINOIS Mr. Claiborne T. Richardson II: For the last Denver-based Gill Foundation, one of the na- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15 years ‘‘Clai’’ has generously contributed his tion’s largest funders of programs advocating Wednesday, May 20, 2009 time and talent to the Symphony Orchestra for LGBT equality. Rodger was instrumental in helping it to grow and thrive. As the orches- the creation of the Gill Foundation’s sister or- Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today tra’s percussion and timpani section leader he ganization, Gill Action. to note the 125th anniversary of Oakwood leads and teaches his section, which is com- Rodger took three organizations in their in- Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. posed of many budding musicians, while en- fancy and grew each into a powerhouse to Since Oakwood’s formal recognition in couraging and promoting the works of new tackle the international tragedy of HIV/AIDS. 1883, concerned local citizens have worked young composers. Clai is a mainstay musician At Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Rodger increased tirelessly to ensure that those in the commu- with the other RMS programs—the Annandale fundraising from a few thousand dollars to the nity who have left this life have a peaceful and Brass, Reunion Music Society Jazz Orchestra, $25 million agency it is today. During his ten- dignified final resting place. This Memorial and the Chris Johnston Trio. ure at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, he Day, the hard-working staff, which does so Ms. Jody Smalley: Jody has been playing increased the organization’s annual revenue much to maintain Oakwood, will welcome area the violin with the Symphony Orchestra since from less than $1 million to more than $5 mil- residents to the annual Memorial Day Week- it was formed 15 years ago. As vice president lion, while also leveraging an additional $40 end Drive-Thru. Local citizens can visit the of the Orchestra’s Board of Directors, Jody ar- million annually through strategic alliances resting places of such prominent citizens as ranges for guest musicians to rehearse and with other funders and corporate partnerships. the city’s first mayor, James Pace, Civil War perform with the Orchestra. Her production of He transformed the Gill Foundation by sharp- Generals C.W. Pavey and W.B. Anderson, CD’s of music to assist other musicians with ening its strategic purpose, focusing its philan- and Illinois Governor L.L. Emmerson. their individual practices and the Power Point thropy in the states, aligning its investment Over the decades, local residents have put presentation she prepares to accompany the with political imperatives, and forging alliances great efforts in creating a beautiful and serene annual ‘‘Winter Wonderland’’ program helps to that furthered both the LGBT movement and final resting place. According to its official his- ensure the high quality of the performances. the progressive movement as a whole. tory, the cemetery has over 9,000 markers Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join The breadth of Rodger’s accomplishments spread along five miles of roads. The me in congratulating the NOVA-Annandale is astounding. A proud U.S. Navy veteran, groundskeepers mow an average of 35 times Symphony Orchestra on their 15th Anniver- Rodger was a licensed nuclear engineer who per year, totaling 1,600 acres. sary and paying tribute to the recipients of The conducted strategic missions in the North At- I want to salute the board members and Richardson-Watkins Founder’s Awards and of lantic and far Arctic regions aboard a fast at- staff members, past and present, of the Oak- the Orchestra/Player Awards. tack submarine. A gifted athlete, he was a vet- wood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, for the f eran of seven over-ice expeditions to the important work that they have done for 125 TRIBUTE TO RODGER MCFARLANE, North Pole. He also competed internationally years. PIONEER IN THE LGBT CIVIL for many years as an elite tri-athlete. f Although Rodger never completed college, RIGHTS AND HIV/AIDS MOVE- THE MEDICAL RIGHTS ACT OF 2009, MENTS he was an accomplished and best-selling au- thor and producer of works for the stage. H.R. 2516 Rodger co-wrote several books, including The HON. DIANA DeGETTE Complete Bedside Companion: No Nonsense OF COLORADO HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK Advice on Caring for the Seriously Ill (Simon OF ILLINOIS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES & Schuster, 1998), and most recently, Larry IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, May 20, 2009 Kramer’s The Tragedy of Today’s Gays (Pen- Wednesday, May 20, 2009 Ms. DEGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise to guin, 2005). In 1993, he co-produced the Pul- honor the extraordinary life and accomplish- itzer Prize-nominated production of Larry Kra- Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to ments of Rodger McFarlane. A pioneer and mers The Destiny of Me, the sequel to The stand here today to introduce the Medical legend in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and Normal Heart. Rights Act of 2009 that will protect the doctor- transgender (LGBT) civil rights and HIV/AIDS Rodger’s many achievements led to well-de- patient relationship, the integrity of the medical movements, this remarkable man merits our served awards; he was recognized with hon- profession and the right of Americans to recognition and our esteem for his unprece- ors such as the New York City Distinguished choose the care they deem appropriate with- dented contributions to our nation and to the Service Award, the Presidential Voluntary Ac- out federal delay or restriction. world. tion Award, the Eleanor Roosevelt Award, the The President outlined three principles for Sadly, Rodger was taken from us far too Emery Award from the Hetrick Martin Institute, health care reform—lower costs, choice and young, at age 54. Larry Kramer, Rodger’s and Tony and Drama Desk honors. Most re- access. I support these goals. To back them, VerDate Nov 24 2008 05:50 May 21, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K20MY8.010 E20MYPT1 rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with REMARKS May 20, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1223 the President should endorse the Medical IN RECOGNITION OF THE SUPPORTING NATIONAL CHILD Rights Act. Our legislation is founded on this: PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY AWARENESS MONTH Congress should make no law to block the de- cisions that American patients make with their SPEECH OF doctor.