[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 146 (Friday, August 13, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E898-E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MEMORIAL RESOLUTION FOR DR. MAXWELL SCARLETT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARC A. VEASEY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 13, 2021

  Mr. VEASEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
legacy of Dr. Maxwell Scarlett--the first Black graduate of the 
University of Texas at Arlington and a Fort Worth physician who 
specialized in emergency medicine.
  Dr. Scarlett grew up in Fort Worth's historic Stop Six neighborhood 
surrounded by a family of educators. His mother was a teacher, as were 
both of her grandparents. So, while growing up, Dr. Scarlett always 
knew that he would attend college. But what he didn't know was that his 
graduation would break racial barriers.
  He initially enrolled at the University of North Texas (known then as 
North Texas State), and almost instantly began to break barriers. He 
was one of the first three African American men to live in a dorm 
there. Then, he integrated the school's biology honor society and later 
became the first Black student to grade papers and teach in the 
school's Science Department.
  Dr. Scarlett transferred to UTA his senior year--three years after 
the school first integrated. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 
biology in 1966. Looking around at his graduation ceremony, he wondered 
if he was the only Black graduate that year. In fact, he was the first 
Black graduate in UTA's entire history, a fact he did not learn until 
1997--about 30 years after his graduation.
  After graduating, Dr. Scarlett enrolled in medical school at Howard 
University. He later returned to Fort Worth to start his medical 
practice because he noticed there was a need for doctors back home. He 
even continued seeing emergency medicine patients after retiring from 
his Fort Worth practice in 2014.
  Dr. Scarlett never set out to break barriers, but through his hard 
work and dedication, he did just that. He helped open doors for so many 
young African Americans, and many others who faced exclusion. Today, we 
honor his legacy, and may we continue to follow his lead in creating a 
more equal America.

[[Page E899]]

  

                          ____________________