[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 62 (Friday, April 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E692-E693]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. LeROY T. WALKER

                                 ______
                                 

                            G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2012

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of my dear 
friend, American coaching legend and pioneer, Dr. LeRoy T. Walker or 
``Doc'' as he was affectionately known. Dr. Walker's life touched 
countless athletes, students and loved ones worldwide before he entered 
into eternal rest on April 23, at the age of 93.
  Born the youngest of 13 children and the grandson of slaves, Dr. 
Walker's inherent goodwill and tenacity catapulted him to unknown 
heights, breaking athletic records and color barriers. He excelled at 
Benedict College as an honor student and varsity tri-athlete in 
football, basketball and track. Initially, Dr. Walker sought to pursue 
a career in medicine, but due to extremely long wait lists at medical 
colleges that would admit African-Americans, he chose another path 
instead. With his heart set on service, he went on to earn a master's 
in health and physical education from Columbia University and a 
doctorate in exercise physiology and biomechanics from New York 
University.
  Dr. Walker knew that his education was not only for his personal 
betterment, but would benefit his surrounding community as well. 
Instead of accepting lucrative offers upon graduating, he chose to use 
his skills in academia in hopes of extending the same opportunities 
afforded to him.
  He began his coaching career in 1945 as the basketball and football 
coach for N.C. College for Negroes--now known as North Carolina Central 
University (NCCU). He later founded the college's first track and field 
team as a way to keep his athletes in shape during the off-season.
  It was during his tenure at NCCU, I had the pleasure of meeting and 
befriending the man with a golden heart. Upon the news of his passing, 
many of his former athletes expressed condolences, referring to him as 
the smartest individual they've ever known and always ``ahead of the 
game.''
  At the Montreal games in 1976, Dr. Walker placed NCCU and Durham, 
North Carolina in the public eye, when he was named the first African-
American U.S. Olympic track and field coach. The American team brought 
home 22 medals that year. In total, Dr. Walker coached and mentored 11 
Olympic medalists, 30 national champions, and 100 All-Americans.
  A man dedicated to both athletics and academics, he served as Vice-
Chancellor and Chancellor of the NCCU. His relentless devotion to 
students in the classroom and on the sports fields compelled the NCCU 
to grant Dr. Walker the title of Chancellor Emeritus of the university.
  In 1986, his dynamic leadership and knack for coaching athletes into 
medalists led to his induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. He 
later would be named U.S. Olympic Committee President in 1996, the 
first African-

[[Page E693]]

American to hold the position. When the 1996 Olympic Games took place 
in his hometown of Atlanta, Dr. Walker as U.S. Olympic Committee 
President, proudly led the parade of 654 U.S. athletes into the 
stadium.
  Though Dr. Walker is no longer with us in physical presence, his 
remarkable legacy will be a reminder of what one can achieve if they 
dare to dream. I hope the full breadth of his life gives his family 
comfort as they celebrate the legacy of Dr. LeRoy T. Walker.

                          ____________________