[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E320-E321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DR. LA SALLE D. LEFFALL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 1997

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
contributions of an outstanding American, Dr. LaSalle D. Leffall. Dr. 
Leffall, a distinguished fellow alumnus of Florida A&M University, is 
the Charles R. Drew professor of surgery at Howard University College 
of Medicine, and like the namesake of his chair, his accomplishments 
are too numerous to list. His profound and unselfish dedication to the 
African-American community, especially in education and medicine, is 
unsurpassed, and deserves the highest recognition.
  Perhaps what distinguishes Dr. Leffall most, Mr. Speaker, is that he 
epitomizes the concept that education is a ladder. This week Dr. 
Leffall helped to make that ladder a little easier to climb when he 
presented a check for $350,000 to Florida A&M University, its largest 
donation from an individual. When matched with funds from the State of 
Florida, Dr. Leffall's gift will total more than $500,000. As FAMU's 
distinguished president, Dr. Frederick Humphries, said, ``This is a 
monumental contribution from one whose extraordinary achievements have 
brought honor and distinction to his alma mater and his community.''
  A son of the South, Dr. Leffall was born in Tallahassee, FL, and he 
was born to be great. He graduated summa cum laude from Florida A&M 
University at the age of 18, and 4 years later, he received his medical 
degree from Howard University College of Medicine, ranking first in his 
class. A scholar and a gentleman, Dr. Leffall is a veteran of the U.S.

[[Page E321]]

Army, having achieved the rank of captain, M.C., and having served as 
chief of general surgery at the U.S. Army Hospital in Munich, Germany, 
from 1960-61, an extraordinary accomplishment for a person of color at 
that time.
  A diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and fellow of the 
American College of Surgeons, Dr. Leffall has served as visiting 
professor and guest lecturer at more than 200 medical institutions in 
the United States and around the world. He has authored or co-authored 
more than 120 articles and chapters. His professional life has been 
devoted in great part to the study of cancer, especially as it relates 
to African-Americans. In 1979, it was his privilege to serve as 
national president of the American Cancer Society, through which he 
launched a landmark program to study the increasing incidence of 
mortality of cancer in the African-American community.
  Dr. Leffall's awards and honors include the Presidential Award, 
Metropolitan Washington Chapter, American College of Surgeons; the 
Humanitarian Award, Washington, DC, NAACP; Outstanding Service Award, 
National Medical Association; National Achievement Award, Democratic 
National Committee Black Caucus; and the Trumpet Award, CNN Turner 
Broadcasting System. He has been listed as one of the best doctors in 
Washington, DC, and Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian 
magazine.
  Named in honor of his parents, Dr. Leffall's gift will provide 
critical scholarships for students and professorships in science at 
Florida A&M University. Equally important, Dr. Leffall's contribution 
will help open the doors of knowledge for countless young African-
Americans, in whose hands the destiny of our society rests.
  As a Member of the U.S. Congress, and having served in public office 
for 20 years, I have learned what my predecessors clearly understood. 
You cannot legislate good will: that comes through education. Because 
of outstanding individuals like Dr. LaSalle Leffall, the process of 
cultivating good will is a little further advanced. It is my privilege 
to honor him before my colleagues in the U.S. Congress, and the 
American public.

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