[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 15, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING DR. CHARLES R. DREW, PROFESSOR OF SURGERY AT HOWARD 
       UNIVERSITY AND PIONEER IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE; 1904-1950

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                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 15, 2004

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. Charles 
R. Drew, pioneer in the field of medicine, professor of surgery, and 
innovator of the modern blood bank.
  Dr. Drew, born 1904 in Washington, D.C., excelled academically. He 
received a Bachelor of Arts from Amherst College, Medical Doctorate and 
Master of Surgery degrees from McGill University, and a Doctor of 
Science in Medicine degree from Columbia University.
  Dr. Drew was an outstanding athlete, starring in football and track 
at Dunbar High School and Amherst College. He received the Thomas W. 
Ashley Memorial Trophy for being the football team's most valuable 
player and achieved honorable mention All-American honors in football. 
He became an all-time leading scorer in intercollegiate track while 
attending McGill Medical College.
  As a surgeon and specialist in blood research, in 1940 Dr. Drew 
organized the massive Blood for Britain project, in which blood plasma 
was separated, collected, and stored to aid the wounded in World War 
II. The following year he became director for the national American Red 
Cross program for blood procurement.
  Dr. Drew is credited with organizing the concept of the blood bank. 
Dr. Drew pioneered the use of blood plasma for transfusion due to the 
longer life of blood with the plasma removed. Prior to his studies, 
blood could only be stored for seven days. Dr. Drew developed 
``bloodmobile'' trucks with refrigeration units to collect and carry 
plasma, increasing the shelf life of blood. His blood bank in the 
Presbyterian Hospital in New York served as one of the models for the 
widespread system of blood banks used by the American Red Cross today. 
Countless lives were saved thanks to Dr. Drew's efforts in blood 
research and plasma separation.
  Dr. Drew served as Professor of Surgery at Howard University and 
Chief Surgeon of its teaching and clinical facility, Freedmen's 
Hospital. There he trained America's first generation of black 
surgeons.
  Dr. Drew was inducted into the Alpha Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi 
Fraternity while attending Amherst College. While on the faculty of 
Howard University, he collaborated in the writing and composition of 
the fraternity's hymn, ``Omega Dear.''
  Dr. Drew succeeded in each phase of his life being an outstanding 
example of African-American achievement. He left behind a legacy of 
life saving techniques.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Dr. Charles R. Drew for his 
pioneering achievements in blood research; his commitment to Howard 
University, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and his community; and for the 
many contributions he has made to our nation. It is truly an honor and 
a privilege to recognize Dr. Charles R. Drew in the United States House 
of Representatives on this day.

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