[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 88 (Monday, June 21, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNITION OF DR. LIONEL SWAN

   Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to honor a legendary figure 
in the civil rights movement in Michigan, Dr. Lionel Swan. Dr. Swan 
died last Wednesday at the age of 93, leaving behind a reputation as an 
extraordinarily effective leader in the struggle for civil rights.
  Dr. Swan was a living example of the great things that can be 
accomplished when you combine determination, courage and dignity. Dr. 
Swan put himself through college and medical school by doing menial 
labor during the day. He often related a story of an incident which 
strengthened his resolve to continue on this hard path to his goal of 
becoming a doctor. One day, a white man called Dr. Swan ``boy'' and 
threw a cigarette butt on a floor he had just finished mopping. Dr. 
Swan is said to have responded, ``Mister, I want to thank you. I've 
been debating whether I should leave this job for college and you just 
convinced me I've got to do it so the next time I see somebody like 
you, he can't call me boy.''
  Dr. Swan was able to ignore ugly slights and concentrate on what is 
most important in life. Dr. Swan went on to graduate from Howard 
University Medical School and practice medicine in Detroit. He was 
elected President of the National Medical Association and the Detroit 
Medical Society, where he led the effort to allow African-American 
physicians to practice medicine at the former Harper and Grace 
hospitals. Dr. Swan was also a longtime, active member of the NAACP, 
helping found the Detroit NAACP's Freedom Fund Dinner which raises 
money annually for its many worthwhile goals and is one of the largest 
gatherings in the country.
  Mr. President, Dr. Swan was always firm in principle and gentle in 
demeanor. He let his actions serve as an example to others in the fight 
for equality and civil rights. I was a great personal fan of his. I 
know my Senate colleagues join me in honoring Dr. Swan on his life's 
many outstanding achievements.

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