[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 118 (Friday, June 26, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H2581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF DR. JAMES HENRY NEELY

  (Mr. KELLY of Mississippi asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the life of Dr. James Henry Neely, who passed away on Monday, June 22, 
in Oxford, Mississippi.
  Dr. Neely was born August 8, 1932, in West Point, Mississippi. His 
many accomplishments began at Mary Holmes College High School. He was 
the editor of the school newspaper, secretary of the senior class, 
president of the athletic club, and member at large of the student 
council. He took his successes to Kentucky State University, earning a 
degree in chemistry and a minor in math and French.
  His passion for chemistry and academia led Dr. Neely to Meharry 
Medical College in 1960. After graduation, he took his leadership 
skills to the United States Air Force, where he served honorably until 
his discharge in 1964, and he relocated in Tupelo, Mississippi. He 
served his community as a medical practitioner for 35 years. He was the 
first African American doctor to have hospital privileges, admitting 
privileges, and could treat patients at North Mississippi Medical 
Center.
  He would go on to earn the Mississippi Medical Surgical Award, 
Practitioner of the Year, and Meharry Medical College Distinguished 
Service Award. Dr. Neely, though, will tell you his greatest 
accomplishment was his marriage to Elaine Kilgore for 66 years.
  Outside of the medical profession, Dr. Neely held many memberships, 
including the National Medical Association, the Black Business 
Association of Mississippi, the NAACP, and was a member of the West 
Point Trinity United Presbyterian Church. He was not only a prominent 
figure in the medical field, but in the community in which he served.
  Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Elaine; his son, my friend 
and mentor and an assistant district attorney in my office, Brian 
Neely; his daughter, acclaimed poet and Goodwill Ambassador for the 
State of Mississippi, Patricia Neely-Dorsey; his four grandchildren, 
and many others.
  Dr. Neely led a life we should all admire. He affected change in 
Mississippi and this Nation by his life of public service.

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