ASA Mourns the Passing of Rep. David Scott, Longtime Champion for Georgia Communities and Advocate for Patient Care

Rep. David Scott (D-GA-13), who served in Congress for more than two decades, passed away at the age of 80 while seeking his 13th term in office. His distinguished 50-year career in public service began in the Georgia General Assembly in the 1970s.

Throughout his career—dating back to his time in the Georgia legislature—Rep. Scott was a longstanding supporter of anesthesiologists and a strong advocate for the highest standards of surgical care. He stood shoulder to shoulder with the Georgia Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Anesthesiologists for years, championing policies that protected patients and ensured access to safe, high-quality care. Rep. Scott was a recipient of the ASA Excellence in Government (EIG) Award.

In Congress, Scott was known as a centrist Democrat, a strong advocate for farmers, and a steadfast supporter of community health initiatives. Beyond his legislative work, he was deeply committed to the well-being of his constituents, regularly hosting large-scale health fairs that expanded access to screenings and care, as well as jobs fairs that connected Georgians with employment opportunities and critical resources.

Rep. Scott was also widely recognized as one of the most important national leaders working on behalf of 1890 farmers and the 1890 land-grant colleges and universities, consistently advancing opportunities for historically underserved agricultural communities and institutions.

Colleagues across Congress praised his legacy, calling him a “trailblazer” who rose from humble beginnings to become the first African American to lead the House Agriculture Committee and who was “fiercely committed to getting things done for the people of Georgia.” Scott remained active on Capitol Hill until the day before his passing, casting votes and continuing to weigh in on major legislation. 

ASA joins leaders across the country in honoring Rep. Scott’s decades of service and extends our deepest condolences to his wife, Alfredia, his family, his staff, and the constituents of Georgia’s 13th District.