[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 77 (Friday, May 5, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING EDWARD F. GERBER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 5, 2023

  Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
career of Edward F. Gerber.
  During his 30 years of service at Lestonnac Free Clinic, he has been 
relentless at finding solutions to fill critical gaps in healthcare for 
the most vulnerable residents in Southern California.
  Edward F. Gerber expanded from one primary care medical clinic to 
fourteen satellite clinics offering twenty-five specialties across four 
counties. Just last year, with his leadership, Lestonnac Free Clinic 
was able to provide free medical and dental care to 10,217 patients 
through 30,130 visits. Since 2008, when he began as the Executive 
Director, Lestonnac Free Clinic has provided 359,277 patient visits.
  As the Executive Director, Mr. Gerber has collaborated with over 300 
like-minded organizations, recruited over 1,400 volunteer doctors and 
raised over $25 million dollars to help ensure that no one in our 
community is forced to forgo medical attention due to cost. He also 
secured an additional $3.5 million dollar donation to build a state-of-
the-art two operating room surgery center that will allow Lestonnac 
Free Clinic volunteer surgeons to provide free surgeries, which will 
alleviate financial strains and community resources on local hospitals. 
This surgery center will be the first of its kind in the United States 
and will model what is possible through love and a desire to help 
others.
  It is my utmost privilege to honor this humble and hard-working man. 
Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in acknowledging the career 
and accomplishments of Edward F. Gerber.

                          ____________________