[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 74 (Thursday, May 15, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E753-E754]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING DR. GORDON A. MERRITT, D.D.S., P.A. ON THE OCCASION OF 
                           HIS 85TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2014

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. 
Gordon A. Merritt on the occasion of his 85th birthday. I am proud to 
celebrate Dr. Merritt not only for his longevity, but more rightly for 
the amazing scope of his contributions to the Fort Lauderdale community 
and our country as a whole.
  Dr. Merritt has dedicated his life to the care of his fellow citizens 
and has served them in numerous capacities. He earned his Doctorate of 
Dental Surgery in 1957 from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, 
Tennessee and immediately entered the Air Force where he practiced for 
four years before returning home to Florida.
  Dr. Merritt and his family moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1963, and he 
has been a pillar in

[[Page E754]]

the community ever since. He opened his clinic in a predominately 
African American neighborhood, and was one of the first African 
American medical professionals to provide services to this underserved 
community.
  In addition to his work in the medical field, Dr. Merritt has been a 
tireless advocate for his community. He is a past Exalted Ruler of the 
Pride of Fort Lauderdale Elks Lodge #652, as well as a Life Member of 
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 
the Urban League, and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Dr. Merritt has 
also been a member of the Mount Hernon A.M.E. Church since 1964, where 
he has served as a Trustee.
  None of these great achievements would have been possible without the 
love and support of Dr. Merritt's wife Rose Legon, who together raised 
two wonderful children, Dr. Pamela Merritt and Portia Mehaffey. They 
are also the proud grandparents of four lovely grandchildren, Courtney, 
Cierra, Darby, and Addison.
  Mr. Speaker, to arrive at the great milestone of 85 years is no small 
thing. I am truly honored to share in this celebration of Dr. Merritt's 
many accomplishments and contributions. I wish him many more years of 
happiness and success.

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