[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2025-E2026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. TIPKINS HOOD, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life 
and achievements of Dr. Tipkins Hood, Sr. of Oakland, California. Dr. 
Hood was a compassionate physician, devoted husband and father, a 
leading member of our community and a wonderful friend. He passed away 
on September 22, 2005 in Oakland, California.
  Dr. Hood was born on December 15, 1936 in Camden, Texas, where he was 
the third of nine children in a loving and close-knit family. A 
precocious child, he had an unsurpassed zeal for learning, and 
throughout his primary and secondary education he excelled in reading, 
the sciences and mathematics. Graduating early from high school, he 
enrolled at Texas Southern University at age 15, earning a Bachelor of 
Science in Pharmacy and later graduating from Meharry Medical College 
in Nashville, Tennessee.
  In 1964, Dr. Hood married Ms. Ruth Starnes in St. Louis, Missouri. 
Sadly, Ruth passed away in 1978, but their union produced a son, 
Tipkins Hood, Jr. A dedicated family man and hard-working student, Dr. 
Hood completed his internship at Homer G. Philips Hospital in St. 
Louis, his general residency at Washington University, and his 
specialty orthopedic surgery training in St. Louis at the University of 
Missouri and the nearby Veteran's Administration Hospital.
  As a young doctor, Dr. Hood voluntarily served from 1960 until 1970 
in the United States Navy-Marine Corps, during which time he was 
awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V as well as a Meritorious Service 
Award for serving above and beyond the call of duty. At the end of his 
military service he was also awarded the Vietnamese Medal of Honor.
  After completing his education and military service in 1970, Dr. Hood 
began his medical practice in Oakland, California. After getting his 
board certification in Orthopedic Surgery in 1974, he practiced for 
more than 35 years in Oakland, contributing immeasurably to the health 
and well being of our entire community. For close to 4 decades, he 
maintained an extensive inpatient and outpatient practice, and treated 
a wide range of patients including children, adults, the elderly and 
low-income individuals. Over the years, his medical expertise benefited 
groups such as the Oakland Police & Fire Retirement Association, the 
Oakland Raiders and the Social Security Administration, as well as an 
untold number of individuals and families who otherwise may not have 
had access to that kind of medical treatment.
  Though Dr. Hood's medical achievements were extraordinary, his 
accomplishments and leadership extended far beyond the realm of 
medicine. Throughout his life he was involved in a variety of business, 
community and academic endeavors, and supported a number of important 
civic and political causes. He was a tremendous asset to the late Mayor 
Lionel Wilson of Oakland as well as to Congressman Ron Dellums, and was 
one of my longtime and consistent supporters. For this, I am deeply 
grateful.
  Additionally, in what he considered to be one of his most important 
roles, Dr. Hood was a dedicated and lifelong member of the Board of 
Trustees at his medical alma mater, Meharry Medical College. A deeply 
spiritual person, Dr. Hood was also a longtime member of Downs Memorial 
United Methodist Church in Oakland, California.
  In 1981, Dr. Hood married Ms. Carol H. Williams, and together they 
raised two children, Tipkins Hood, Jr. and Carol Henny Hood, Jr. Their 
life together was enriched by their devotion to each other, and they 
delighted in the arrival of a grandson, Tipkins Milton Hood. Dr. Hood 
enjoyed sharing his love of travel, fishing and cooking with his family 
and friends, and took every opportunity to spend time with them. His 
dedication to his family was unsurpassed, and throughout his life his 
loved ones brought him great joy.
  As a close personal friend since the early 1970s, I benefited from 
Tip's advice, keen intellect and remarkable wisdom. He was a ``wise 
man,'' yet he had a lot of heart. For example, this summer he took the 
time to provide his medical insights to one of my family members who 
had also been his patient many years ago. Not only did he give his best 
thinking regarding treatment options, but he also gave reassurances to 
call and visit every day during recuperation. Tip comforted those who 
needed comfort and always went beyond the call of duty.
  The last time I saw Tip was in my Washington, DC office very 
recently. He cared about the aging and sick prison populations and 
wanted to provide treatment facilities for the Federal and state penal 
institutions. Tip concluded this very intense meeting by pleading with 
the Federal prison officials to understand that providing this 
treatment was the humane way to treat these individuals. His compassion 
profoundly impacted everyone in the meeting, just as it had always 
impacted everyone who knew him.
  Throughout his life, Dr. Hood ``did it his way.'' He was a man for 
all seasons whose wit, charm and brilliance will be forever remembered. 
He will be greatly missed, but his legacy and his spirit will inspire 
us all, especially young African American men, to soar to heights 
unseen, and to do so in his memory.
  Today Dr. Hood's family and friends come together to celebrate his 
life and work, and the immeasurable personal and professional impact he 
has had on all of us. On behalf of the 9th U.S. Congressional District 
of California, I salute and thank Dr. Tipkins Hood, Sr. for his 
invaluable contributions to the people of Oakland, the 9th 
Congressional District, the State of California and our entire country.

[[Page E2026]]



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