[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E555-E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF DR. NORMAN C. FRANCIS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2015

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an esteemed 
educator and outstanding civic leader, Dr. Norman C. Francis. As the 
nation's longest-serving university president, Dr. Francis will be 
retiring after 47 remarkable years as president of Xavier University of 
Louisiana in New Orleans, Louisiana. A reception hosted by the 
Honorable Mary Landrieu and the Honorable Alexis Herman will be held in 
his honor on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in Washington, DC.

[[Page E556]]

  Born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana, Dr. Francis, the son of a 
barber and a homemaker, first set foot on the campus of Xavier 
University as a student in 1948 and immediately stood out among his 
peers as a leader in all areas of academic excellence. Foreshadowing 
the legacy he would later build on this very campus, his fellow 
classmates elected him class president each year of his undergraduate 
study and student body president his senior year. When he graduated 
with honors in 1952, Dr. Francis left Xavier knowing that he would 
return someday.
  Later that year, Dr. Francis became the first African American to 
attend Loyola Law School in New Orleans. After graduating in 1955, he 
served our country with honor and distinction in the U.S. Army's Third 
Armored Division. After his honorable discharge, Dr. Francis worked on 
special assignment with the U.S. Attorney General to help desegregate 
federal agencies.
  Following his completion of this assignment, Dr. Francis found 
himself at a crossroads. He had a promising legal career ahead of him 
yet he yearned to be of service in higher education. Choosing the 
latter, where he thought his talents could be of greater use, Dr. 
Francis returned to his alma mater, becoming dean of men in 1957. 
Rising quickly through the ranks, he became the first African American 
and first layman to serve as president of Xavier University in 1968.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Francis has revolutionized Xavier University in 
countless ways during his 47-year tenure as president. Under his 
leadership, the university's enrollment has more than doubled, its 
endowment has grown eight-fold, and its campus has expanded from only 
five buildings to sixteen buildings on more than sixty acres.
  These changes are also reflected in the young leaders and model 
graduates that Xavier continues to produce. Xavier University is 
recognized as the leading producer of African American undergraduates 
who go on to complete medical school and one of the top three producers 
of African American Doctor of Pharmacy degree recipients. Xavier ranks 
first nationally in the number of African American students earning 
undergraduate degrees in biology and life sciences, chemistry, physics, 
and pharmacy.
  Dr. Francis' sphere of influence has not been confined to the campus 
limits of Xavier University. A nationally recognized figure, Dr. 
Francis has served in advisory roles to eight U.S. presidents on 
education and civil rights issues. He has also served on 54 boards and 
commissions. He has received 42 honorary degrees from other 
universities and numerous awards and commendations in recognition of 
his leadership in higher education as well as his selfless service to 
his community and to our nation. In 2006, then-President George W. Bush 
honored Dr. Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the 
nation's highest civilian award.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Norman 
C. Francis for his significant contributions to our nation and for his 
47 outstanding years as President of Xavier University of Louisiana. 
His visionary leadership has helped transform this university for the 
better to provide students with a fulfilling college experience, a 
quality education focusing on academic excellence, and the necessary 
tools with which to live successful and productive lives.

                          ____________________