[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 21 (Monday, February 9, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. NORMAN FRANCIS

 Mr. VITTER. Mr. President, I wish to honor Dr. Norman Francis, 
president of Xavier University of Louisiana and grand marshall for the 
2015 Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club Coronation Ball.
  Dr. Francis was born in Lafayette, LA, to the son of a barber and a 
stay-home mother who valued education and hard work. After Dr. Francis 
graduated from St. Paul High School in 1948, he was awarded a 
scholarship to Xavier University, America's only historically black 
Catholic university, where he excelled academically. In 1953, he 
enrolled in Loyola University New Orleans from which he earned his 
juris doctorate in 1955. After this, he spent 2 years in the U.S. Army 
before returning to New Orleans.
  In 1968, Dr. Francis was named president of Xavier University. He was 
the first African American man to lead Xavier, and he is currently the 
longest-sitting university president in the United States. As both a 
student and eventual administrator, Dr. Francis has been at Xavier for 
more than five decades. He is credited with being the catalyst for 
nearly every new building constructed on the campus during the past 
four decades.
  Under Dr. Francis' leadership, Xavier continues to rank first 
nationally in the number of African American students earning 
undergraduate degrees in the biology and the life sciences, chemistry, 
physics, and pharmacy. Since 1993, Xavier has also continued to rank 
first nationally for African American students being accepted into 
medical schools.
  Dr. Francis has received numerous honorary degrees from other 
universities and prestigious awards in recognition of his leadership in 
higher education and for unselfish service to New Orleans and to our 
Nation. In 2006, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by 
President George W. Bush. Dr. Francis served as chairman of the 
Louisiana Recovery Authority following the devastation from Hurricane 
Katrina and Rita, and he was a leader in the efforts to rebuild the 
lives of those affected by the storms. In the aftermath of these 
storms, one publication called Dr. Francis a ``quiet hero.'' This is a 
great way to describe a man who has done so much for his university, 
his community, his State, and his Nation.
  I am pleased to join with the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club in 
honoring grand marshall Dr. Norman Francis.

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