[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1150-E1151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. CALVIN HYLTON SHIRLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2012

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of an outstanding human being. Dr. Calvin Hylton (Kappa) 
Shirley passed away on June 23, 2012 at the age of 91. He was my doctor 
and great friend.
  Dr. Shirley was born on January 28, 1921, grew up in Pensacola, 
Florida and graduated from Florida A&M University. He served as a Navy 
corpsman in the Pacific during World War II, and went on to earn his 
degree from Boston College of Physicians and Surgeons.
  Dr. Shirley was an accomplished physician who specialized in the 
fields of obstetrics and family practice. He was among the first black 
doctors to work in Broward County, starting the historic Provident 
Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, which was the first medical facility in 
the city for blacks. Dr. Shirley served there for 54 years and 
delivered over 6,000 babies. In 1949, he established his own practice, 
and allowed those who could not pay for his services to offer him crops 
as payment. Dr. Shirley was a man who lived by his principles, stating 
that, ``A good doctor is one who is concerned with giving service, as 
opposed to one who's only concerned with the almighty dollar.''
  In addition to his outstanding service to the community, Dr. Shirley 
paved the way for African Americans in the medical community. He was 
one of the first four black physicians in Broward County to have his 
own medical practice. He was also the first medical advisor to the 
Sickle Cell Foundation. Furthermore, Dr. Shirley was the first and only 
black physician to receive the coveted Heideman Memorial Doctor of the 
Year award, and serve on the Executive Board of the Florida State 
Health Planning Council as well as serve on the staff of Broward 
General Hospital. He was also the first black obstetrician-gynecologist 
in Broward County and the first black staff physician at Broward Health 
Medical Center.
  On top of his professional career, Dr. Shirley was affiliated with 
many organizations rooted in the South Florida community. He was one of 
the founding members and first Polemarch of the Fort Lauderdale Alumni 
Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., an organization of which I 
am a proud member. Additionally, Dr. Shirley was a 32nd Degree Mason, a 
Shriner of Kazah Temple 149, and a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity of 
Alpha Rho Boule.
  My chief of staff Art Kennedy, also a Kappa with Dr. Shirley and 
myself, remembers him fondly, ``Brother Shirley was always a gentleman, 
very cool and calm, and he loved Kappa.''
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my 
sincere condolences to all

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those who have been impacted by the loss of such a great man. My 
thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Shirley's family and friends during 
this most difficult time. He was a tremendous individual who selflessly 
dedicated his life to helping all those around him, and he will be 
dearly missed.

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