[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 15, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING DR. CHARLES C. MARY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2022

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Charles Callan Mary, Jr., M.D., a public servant who was inspired in 
life by his faith, education and a deep sense of purpose. He served the 
citizens of Louisiana with professionalism and humility over sixty-one 
years until his passing on February 5, 2022. He was a devoted husband 
of 58 years, father of 5, grandfather of 14, brother, uncle, and friend 
to many.
  In his advanced studies, he soon recognized a calling that directed 
him to a pre-med curriculum at Loyola University of the South. Upon 
completion, he enrolled in Louisiana State University Medical School, 
graduating in 1961 with a Doctor of Medicine degree.
  Dr. Mary completed an internal medicine residency at LSU's Medical 
School and then joined the Department of Medicine. He dedicated 18 
years of his early professional life to Charity Hospital and its 
patients, staff and students, where he served as student, intern, 
resident, Assistant Clinical Director and then, in 1970 rose to the 
position of Medical Director and CEO. He felt in his heart this was his 
calling and Charity Hospital was his home.
  Gov. Edwin W. Edwards appointed Dr. Mary as the first Commissioner of 
the newly created State Department of Health, Social and Rehabilitation 
Services, as well as State Health Officer in 1973.
  In 1974, Dr. Mary went into private practice, founding the Mary 
Medical Clinic in New Orleans. He relocated his practice to St. Jude 
Medical Center in Kenner, and then Elmwood Medical Center in Metairie, 
where he would continue to practice internal medicine until his semi-
retirement in 1997. He continued to see patients on a limited basis 
until Hurricane Ida in 2021. He also had a live local radio show called 
``Ask Dr. Mary,'' which aired every week for over 15 years.
  Dr. Mary's faith was fundamental to his life's work. Starting as an 
altar boy at Our Lady of Lourdes and continuing throughout his 
adulthood, he served and participated in many capacities, including as: 
a Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great; a 
Knight Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of 
Jerusalem; a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta; a 
recipient of the Order of St. Louis IX (Archdiocese of New Orleans); a 
member of both the Board of Regents and Board of Trustees of the 
Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; and a member of the 
Board of Trustees of La Roche College in Pittsburgh, PA.
  His involvement did not stop there--he embraced the love of Mardi 
Gras instilled in him from his father respecting the traditions and 
celebrations of Carnival. Since his childhood, he remained active in 
the Knights of Babylon as a rider, an officer, board member and 
ultimately Captain and Capitan Emeritus after his father's 30 plus year 
tenure. Like every true New Orleanian, Dr. Mary was an ardent football 
fan (especially LSU and the Saints), an avid tennis player, a notorious 
joke teller and a lover of fine New Orleans signature food and 
libations.
  The entire New Orleans community is grateful to Dr. Charles C. Mary, 
Jr. for his dedicated service to the field of medicine, his 
philanthropic contributions. His legacy will live on.

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