The Health bulletin [serial] - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

6 The Health Bulletin January, 1951serve, and without hope of personalaggrandizement. He was not only apillar of strength in the P'^oiic Healthstructure, but ever mindful of his familyand personal friends and just as zealousin the work of the Presbyterian Church,of which he was a life -long member anda ruling elder at the time of his death.He was my personal friend and thepersonal friend of all who worked withhim in any capacity. Our best expressionof faith in and love for him willbe through closing ranks and marchingon toward the goals toward which hestrove so long and so well."Dr. Clyde A. Erwin, State Superintendentof Public Instruction, paid thistribute to the late Dr. Cooper:"I feel a deep personal loss in thedeath of Dr. Cooper. He has been a dearfriend of mine for many years. In additionI consider his loss to the State irreparable.No one in my opinion hasgiven of himself more vmselfishly normore effectively in the service of thepeople. His keen understanding of theproblems of public health and his dedicationto the solution of these problemsis a landmark along the road of humanprogress."Statement by Dr. Ellen Winston,Commissioner of Public Welfare, on thedeath of Dr. George M. Cooper."In the passing of Dr. George M.Cooper, the State Board of Public Welfare,has lost a staunch supporter andfriend. His loss will be felt by welfareworkers throughout the State who haveknown and loved him. He was evermindful of the importance of the unitedefforts of health and welfare in his workin promoting North Carolina's healthprogram. As an eminent citizen and devotedleader in seeking social betterment,Dr. Cooper made a lasting contributionto this State and to thenation."A GREAT PHYSICIANWhen a North Carolinian who hasbeen taking notice of public affairs fora quarter of a century reflects on thelength, breadth and depth of the serviceof Dr. George Marion Cooper, assistantstate health officer who died atRaleigh early Monday morning, he isconstrained to conclude: Here was thepublic servant made perfect.It will have been printed elsewhere inthe Daily News, but we think any estimateby an editorial commentatorshould include the tribute paid him byDr. Roy Norton, state health officer:He served longer, engaged in moreactivities and did more to make NorthCarolina public health conscious and tominister to its public health needs thanany man in the history of the state. Hepioneered more public health servicesthan any other man I know, not onlyin North Carolina but in the nation.Both personally and professionally hehad few peers, if any, and no superiorsanywhere. He was constantly an uphillfighter against ignorance, misinformation,indifference and short-sightedselfish interest. The two greatest groupsof his beneficiaries were underprivilegedmothers and children, in whose behalfhe worked unceasingly and for whoserelief he was instrumental in securingmillions of dollars in public funds, whichhe administered where they would dothe most good for the greatest numberof people ... In generations to come,the descendants of those he helped willrise up and call him blessed.Ordinarily we are inclined to discountestimates made by professional, businessor governmental associates whoknow what they are expected to say,but Dr. Norton is as objective as wouldbe any good reporter who has for yearsseen Dr. Cooper in action.If we were called upon to name hisgreatest characteristic, we'd make itcourage. He was himself frail, with adeafness which kept him from beingchosen as chief of the health service