BP MARKOWITZ STATEMENT ON PASSING OF BROOKLYN NATIVE AND FORMER U.S. SURGEON GENERAL C. EVERETT KOOP

“C. Everett Koop was an extraordinary leader who transformed the office of U.S. Surgeon General by putting aside his conservative personal beliefs in the name of public health—changing the way our nation confronted some of its most pressing and controversial issues, from smoking and condom use to HIV/AIDS. It really should come as no surprise that long before Dr. Koop was a powerful player in Washington he was just a kid from South Brooklyn who enjoyed stickball and sandlot baseball and played in Prospect Park. No doubt it was those ‘street smarts’ and Brooklyn attitude that served him so well in his capacity as Surgeon General. Dr. Koop lived a long and amazing life, and it’s because of his legacy that all of us have a chance to live one as well. Brooklyn joins a grateful nation in mourning Dr. Koop’s passing, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.”