[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 13, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      IN RECOGNITION AND HONOR OF THE LIFE OF DR. BERNARDINE LACEY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 2021

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I 
rise today to recognize the life and legacy of my dear friend, Dr. 
Bernardine Lacey, who passed away on March 26, 2021. It is with deep 
sorrow that I mourn her loss, and deep affection that I honor her 
beautiful legacy.
  Dr. Lacey was born on July 28, 1932, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. 
Despite her humble beginnings, she successfully went on to build a 
formidable and impactful career in the nursing profession. Dr. Lacey's 
expansive education began when she received her nursing degree from the 
Gilfoy School of Nursing at the Mississippi Baptist Hospital in 
Jackson. This would be one of the first of many pioneering efforts Dr. 
Lacey would trailblaze to break barriers as one of the first Black 
students admitted into Georgetown University's Nursing program, where 
she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) in 1969. 
Thereafter, Dr. Lacey earned her Master of Arts from Howard University 
in 1985. Her tenacity did not allow her to stop there. She would go on 
to earn her terminal degree in her 50's with her Doctor of Education 
from the prestigious Columbia University's Teacher's College in 1991.
  Throughout her career path, Dr. Lacey served Howard University 
Hospital for more than 30 years. While there is a robust list of 
accomplishments that are too many to exhaust here, to name a few, Dr. 
Lacey became the Founding Dean and Professor at Western Michigan 
University's School of Nursing, where she remained until 1999. 
Thereafter, she went on to act as Special Assistant to the President of 
Western Michigan University. Other notable titles held include: 
Professor and Chair in the Department of Nursing at Prince George's 
Community College; Executive Director of Children's National Medical 
Center, School Health Program; and Chairperson in the Department of 
Nursing at Bowie State University. In 2018, coming out of retirement, 
Dr. Lacey was led back to Howard University, where she served as Vice-
Chair for the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences. In this 
role, she acted as a trusted advisor to the Dean, worked to expand 
clinical affiliations, and established best practices for accreditation 
visits and scholarship and grant opportunities.
  Throughout her 88-years of living life to the fullest, Dr. Lacey 
received numerous accolades--which are tangible testaments to her 
undeniable impact on the intersection of nursing and our nursing 
education communities. Dr. Lacey became a Fellow of the American 
Academy of Nursing; was honored as a Distinguished Alumna at Georgetown 
University; a recipient of the Legacy of Leadership Award from Howard 
University; and in 2014, Dr. Lacey was inducted as a ``Living Legend'' 
by the American Academy of Nursing where they inducted her into the 
Academy's Hall of Fame. In addition, the College of Nursing and Allied 
Health Sciences at Howard University will continue to recognize Dr. 
Lacey's impact by initiating an annual ``Bernardine M. Lacey Research 
Day,'' to be established next year.
  Dr. Lacey's significant contributions to the field of nursing and 
public health are widely appreciated by a host of colleagues, friends, 
and students. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Dr. 
Lacey walked with timeless class, grace, style, and courage, all while 
quick to offer a warm smile. Most especially, I am grateful to Dr. 
Lacey for the guidance and support as my application sponsor that she 
provided to me upon my 2020 induction as a Fellow to the American 
Academy of Nursing. Dr. Lacey served as an enduring connection between 
my office and the nursing community.
  Madam Speaker, allow me this moment to express condolences to Dr. 
Lacey's family, friends, and colleagues. Though her presence will be 
sorely missed by many, including myself, I pray that we may find solace 
in remembering her legacy for years to come.

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