[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 105 (Wednesday, August 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    TRIBUTE TO DR. WALTER GWENIGALE

                                 ______


                            HON. DAVID MINGE

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 2, 1994

  Mr. MINGE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize the contributions of an outstanding individual, whose 
leadership and commitment toward his people in a time of civil war 
should not go unnoticed. This person is Dr. Walter Gwenigale of 
Liberia.
  Dr. Gwenigale grew up in a bush village in Liberia, attended the 
University of Puerto Rico Medical School, receiving a degree in 1967. 
In 1968, Dr. Gwenigale completed his internship in the United States 
and returned to Liberia to practice medicine.
  In 1974, Dr. Gwenigale attained the position of medical director and 
chief surgeon of the Phebe Hospital, a 179-bed hospital, near Gbanga, 
Liberia. During his directorship, Liberia suffered through a 3\1/2\-
year civil war. Dr. Gwenigale has carefully avoided being identified 
with the conflicting sides in this tragic war. Instead, Dr. Gwenigale 
and the hospital have been essential in treating the sick and the 
injured. The hospital was the only facility to consistently remain open 
throughout the conflict. In fact, the Phebe Hospital remained open even 
after it was damaged by a Nigerian fighter jet.
  Dr. Gwenigale's leadership has been essential for the hospital to 
remain open. For example, he coordinated with many organizations in 
order to acquire moneys for the funding of the Phebe Hospital. These 
organizations include: the Lutheran, Methodist, and Catholic Churches, 
Christian Health Association of Liberia, and German and U.S. foreign 
aid. Also, Dr. Gwenigale is deeply respected for his continued 
commitment to provide for the health and welfare of the Liberian 
people. Dr. Gwenigale directs a 179-bed hospital with a staff of three 
doctors. Furthermore, even with a limited facility and staff, the Phebe 
Hospital is able to admit 7,000 patients a year and use an outpatient 
program to visit 70,000 more. Dr. Gwenigale has continued this mission 
at great personal risk. Tens of thousands have been killed or driven 
from their homes by parties in the conflict. At the same time he has 
not taken the easy path of emigrating to another area and practicing 
his profession in safety for far greater financial rewards. For these 
reasons, it seems fitting to bestow upon Dr. Gwenigale this body's 
sincerest appreciation for his work with the people of Liberia, and 
more broadly, his humanitarian work.

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