[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 172 (Friday, October 17, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E971]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. SESHADRI RAJU

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 17, 2025

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to recognize 
Dr. Seshadri Raju and his wife, Dr. Sybil Raju, as they honor his 
mentor, Dr. James Hardy. The Rajus donated one million dollars, 
endowing the Hardy-Raju Chair of Transplant Surgery at the University 
of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
  Dr. Raju has made considerable contributions in the areas of 
transplant immunology, organ preservation, and small bowel 
transplantation.
  Dr. Raju performed the first clinically successful double-lung 
transplant in America and the first successful heart transplant in 
Mississippi. Notably, Dr. Raju performed a successful double-lung 
transplant on my predecessor and mentor, the late Congressman Floyd 
Spence. Congressman Spence incredibly lived an additional 13 year 
thanks to Dr. Raju and then was able to serve his country as Chairman 
of the House Committee on Armed Services.
  The work of Dr. Raju is possible because of his mentor, Dr. Hardy who 
welcomed him into his warm car for a 9,000-mile journey to UMMC where 
he worked as research fellow. Dr. Hardy would soon become his long-time 
benefactor, steering Dr. Raju into a successful career of his own.
  Both doctors have had an immense impact on the practice of medicine 
and have paved the road in the field of transplant surgery.
  The funds that the Rajus donated will support clinical transplant 
services, serve as a recruitment tool to attract world-class faculty, 
drive innovation, and more.
  The Hardy-Raju Chair of Transplant Surgery at UMMC will serve as a 
reminder of the dedicated work that both individuals have given to the 
community.

                          ____________________