[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 99 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO DR. SWAMY SUNKARA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2012

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Swamy Sunkara was born in India. He 
graduated from Andhra Medical College and King George Hospital. Named 
after Dr. Swamy Naidu, Dr. Sunkara was a great surgeon, philanthropist, 
athlete, swordsman, and horseman of national level. He is also from a 
family of physicians and soccer players of international reputation.
  As a young student leader Dr. Sunkara volunteered in various natural 
disasters including one in Divi Andhra predesh, where he worked for 
several weeks directly under Mother Theresa. She always had kind words 
about him when she visited that area.
  Dr. Sunkara served as surgeon, and then trained as an 
anesthesiologist in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago. He completed the 
postgraduate course of diploma in anesthesiology from University of 
West Indies. He served as a social worker at St. James Infirmary in 
Montego Bay, Jamaica from 1979 to 1981 and served at the Prince 
Elizabeth Hospital for destitute children in Port of Spain, Trinidad 
from 1981 to 1987. He gave free anesthesia for surgeries of children 
with cleft palates, club-foot, and other congenital abnormalities. Dr. 
Sunkara worked as a volunteer physician at Trinidad and Tobago Sports 
Medicine and received letters of commendation in Jamaica, Trinidad and 
Tobago for his work and dedication.
  Dr. Sunkara migrated to the United States in 1988. He successfully 
completed the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Health, Masters in 
Public Health with double majors in International Health and Emergency 
Medicine. He served as a published researcher and volunteer in 
Children's Cancer Study Group at New York Medical College, and 
Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York. He worked as a 
volunteer Emergency Medical Technician at both the Ossining Volunteer 
Ambulance corps and Pleasantville Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Dr. 
Sunkara received the Best Volunteer award from Westchester County 
Executive for the year '88-89 and received Best Volunteer award from 
the University of Medicine and Dentistry of Newark New Jersey in 1989. 
Dr. Sunkara also served as one of the Uncles for foster children of 
Richard Allen Center on Life in New York City.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Swamy Naidu Sunkara for 
his extraordinary contributions to New York City's medical community.