[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 40 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E218-E219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE OF CLIFTON N. WEST, JR. OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 7, 2022

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I rise to ask the House of Representatives 
to recognize Clifton N. West, Jr., an accomplished business owner who 
served the residents of the District of Columbia.
  Clifton N. West, Jr., ``Skeeter'' was born on December 12, 1933, to 
Thaddenia West and Clifton N. West, Sr. and was the younger brother of 
Pat and Beverly. He was raised by his mother and his grandparents in 
Arlington, Virginia.
  In 1952, Skeeter graduated from Dunbar High School in the District of 
Columbia. During his time at Dunbar, he served in the Reserve Officers' 
Training Corps (ROTC). He won many awards with the drill team and the 
track team.
  Skeeter enrolled in Howard University in 1952 as a chemistry major. 
In 1955, he left college and joined the Air Force. He served for three 
years at the Chateauroux Air Force base in France. After his discharge, 
in 1958, he used the GI Bill to continue his education at Howard 
University and worked part-time at the U.S. Postal Service.
  He would go on to work at St. Elizabeths Hospital and later at NASA's 
Goddard Space Flight Center as a medical technologist. In 1963, he 
started a laboratory in his basement and worked on building his 
business in the evenings while he worked for Berkley Medical 
Instruments selling blood analyzers during the day.

[[Page E219]]

  In 1971, he founded B & W STAT Laboratory, Inc. on the corner of 
Georgia Avenue and Irving Street NW in the District of Columbia. His 
business remains in operation 62 years later. The laboratory was one of 
the first independent commercial laboratories in the United States and 
has served as a faithful business anchor for Georgia Avenue ever since, 
servicing, hiring and training local residents. The company has won 
numerous specimen-testing contracts and, in 1971, was the first 
laboratory in the country to install and operate an on-site lab in the 
D.C. courthouse. The program received network television recognition 
and served as a model for similar programs throughout the country.
  Skeeter founded the Georgia Avenue Business Association, was co-
founder of the DC Drug Prevention Partnership, and his business has 
participated in the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program. The DC 
Drug Prevention Partnership was established to address and curb drug 
use in D.C.'s Ward 1. Skeeter served as the President of the Lower 
Georgia Avenue Business and Professional Association. During his tenure 
as President of B & W STAT, Skeeter and his business received many 
community service awards, including Outstanding Businessman from the 
People's Involvement Corporation: recognition from the Department of 
Employment Services--Outstanding Service; and Commanders of the Rite, 
Mason of the District of Columbia--Excellence in Science Services--Long 
Years of Leadership in the Field of Laboratory Testing. B & W STAT has 
been and continues to be a committed community partner.
  Throughout the years, B & W STAT had offices on Independence Avenue, 
Georgia Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue, had multiple contracts with the 
military, local hospitals and doctor offices and at one time employed 
over 100 people. B & W STAT was a well-known laboratory, and if you got 
married in D.C., the required serology premarital blood test to receive 
a blue card was performed at B & W STAT from the 1970s to the early 
2000s. Skeeter was sure to greet everyone who got married in D.C.
  He trained local residents through internships and the summer program 
and helped rehabilitate many D.C. residents. He streamlined toxicology 
testing and was featured both on the television news and in the paper. 
He trained hundreds of military personnel on testing and did not 
request payment for such training.
  Skeeter faced many small business issues, including dealing with 
banks and lines of credit, but more importantly, dealt with prejudice 
while performing very technical work. B & W STAT always helped the D.C. 
government with issues around drug testing and helped when they got 
behind on testing by turning work around in 24 hours. He worked long 
hours, starting at 6:00 a.m. and ending after 6:00 p.m.
  B & W STAT was a member of the Howard University Bison Express, which 
provides financial assistance to Howard University student-athletes and 
supported Howard University athletics initiatives, for many years. The 
company also raised money to replace equipment stolen from Howard 
University.
  Skeeter loved to travel and take family vacations. He encouraged both 
of his children to attend Howard University and continue the tradition 
of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Both attended and 
graduated from Howard University.
  He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Carole 
Smith West; his son, Clifton N. West, III, ``Skip''; his daughter, 
Alison West Hughes; his son-in-law, Michael Anthony Hughes; three 
grandchildren and his sisters, Raquel ``Pat'' Hall and Beverly W. 
Goode.
  He was loved by many and will surely be missed. His spirit and 
personality touched everyone he met. His love and spirit will be 
remembered by all.

                          ____________________