REPRESENTATIVE BARRY FLEMING HONORS CONGRESSMAN NORWOOD

ATLANTA—House Majority Whip Barry A. Fleming (R-Harlem) will today file a resolution to honor Congressman Charlie Norwood (R-Augusta). The resolution is co-sponsored by Representatives Barbara Sims (R-Augusta), Ben Harbin (R-Evans), Bob Smith (R-Watkinsville) and numerous other members of the House.

Fleming announced the resolution this past Saturday on “Family Day,” and gave other representatives the chance to sign the resolution to show their support and appreciation for Congressman Norwood.

“Charlie has been a tireless servant for the people of this state and our nation,” Fleming said during a morning order. “He's better known for his efforts on behalf of patients seeking medical care through his work on the ‘Patient's Bill of Rights,’ but those of us from his district also know him as a Congressman who took the greatest effort to be of service to his constituents for all the many needs they may have.”

Last week it was announced that Congressman Norwood has decided to forgo further treatment for lung cancer and was returning to his home in Augusta for hospice care. Congressman Norwood, who suffers from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, is fighting cancer for the second time since receiving a lung transplant in 2004.

The full text of the remarks of Representative Barry A. Fleming regarding the resolution follows:

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the House,

In the 5 years I have had the honor of serving in this House, I have never risen to give a morning order, but there is an extraordinary individual in East Georgia that needs our prayers. As many of you are aware, Congressman Charlie Norwood from my home of Columbia County, left a Washington hospital this week, after a long battle with cancer to return home and enter into hospice care.

Congressman Norwood has served East Georgia in the United State House of Representative for the past 13 years.

Charlie has been a tireless servant for the people of this state and our nation.  He's better known for his efforts on behalf of patients seeking medical care through his work on the "Patient's Bill of Rights", but those of us from his district also know him as a Congressman who took the greatest effort to be of service to his constituents for all the many needs they may have.  Charlie's reputation for looking after those in need of assistance is second to none.

It's hard to know what to say about such a dedicated public servant, however nothing may characterize Charlie's heart and efforts better than the words of our Lord, in the Sermon on the Mount, when he said: ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.’  Charlie fought for the meek, he longed for that which was right, and he has been kind to those in need.

Please join us in praying for Charlie and his family during their time of need, for he has indeed been a good and faithful servant. We have a resolution honoring Charlie Norwood, which I will place on the side of the rostrum for any one who wishes to sign it.”

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