[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 15 (Monday, January 27, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING DR. FRANK EUGENE STAGGERS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 27, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life and career of Bay Area community leader and tireless 
advocate for the expansion of healthcare to the underserved, Dr. Frank 
Eugene Staggers, Sr. Dr. Staggers was known throughout the Bay Area as 
someone who believed that the health of the individual is directly tied 
to the health of the community. With his passing, we look to Dr. 
Staggers' tremendous legacy and the outstanding quality of his life's 
work.
  Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Staggers served as a Sergeant 
in the U.S. Army in Belgium during World War II. After returning home, 
Dr. Staggers attended Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia 
earning a Bachelor's degree in Zoology. He enrolled in Meharry Medical 
College in Nashville, Tennessee where he earned his degree in Medicine. 
Upon graduation, Dr. Staggers put his extensive knowledge to use as a 
medical resident in the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander with a surgical 
subspecialty in Urology. He eventually retired from the Navy with the 
rank of Commander in 1963.
  Dr. Staggers worked tirelessly to ensure equality in healthcare, and 
the organizations he helped to found continue to carry out his vision, 
specifically the St. Luke's Society, an organization dedicated to 
creating an alliance between African American doctors and ministers, 
and the Alta Bates Summit Ethnic Health Institute, a community service 
focused on promoting community health awareness, organizational 
alliances, and health-provider training to underserved and minority 
populations that experience disparities in healthcare.
  As an advocate for equality in healthcare, Dr. Staggers actively 
served in many leadership roles. Notably, he served as Chairman of the 
American Medical Association's Advisory Committee on Minority 
Physicians. He was also President, Vice Chair, and Chair of the 
California Medical Association Foundation, as well as President of the 
Alameda-Contra Costa County Medical Society. In addition, he was 
President and a member of the Golden State Medical Association, the 
National Medical Association, and the Sinkler Miller Medical 
Association.
  For his many contributions and dedication to furthering minority 
access to healthcare, Dr. Staggers was recognized numerous times, 
including by the California State Legislature, the Golden State Medical 
Association, the National Medical Association, the Meharry Medical 
College, and the American Medical Association Foundation.
  Dr. Staggers was a mentor to many, including myself. I benefitted 
from his wise counsel and input on my health care legislation and 
agenda while in the California State Legislature and in Congress. He 
was steady, focused and passionate as he shared his knowledge and 
clarity regarding what I needed to know and do to address health care 
disparities in communities of color. For that, I am deeply grateful.
  As a board certified urologist, Dr. Staggers mentored minority 
medical students all across the United States, and he supported and was 
involved with many historic black colleges. This reflects Dr. Staggers 
belief in, and commitment to nurturing the next generation to continue 
to build on the progress made by the previous generation.
  On a personal note, I had the privilege to spend time with Frank and 
his beloved wife, my friend and colleague while serving in the 
California State Legislature, the Honorable Teresa Hughes. Frank and 
``Terrie'' loved each other deeply. They were able to pull both of 
their very busy lives together, never neglected each other and gave 
their friends a glimpse of ``true love'' even in their golden years. 
The love he exhibited toward Terrie and his family was unconditional 
and inspiring.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors a 
great friend of the Bay Area and a true champion for equality, Dr. 
Frank Eugene Staggers Sr. His steadfast commitment to ensuring that 
minorities have access to better healthcare and quality of life will 
forever live on in the legacy that he leaves behind. I offer my 
sincerest condolences to his many loved ones and to all of those whose 
lives he touched over the years. He will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________