[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 107 (Thursday, June 25, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E619]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING U.S. GRADUATES OF THE LATIN AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE 
                                 (ELAM)

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2026

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and commend the exceptional commitment of the 2026 graduating class 
from the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) in Havana, Cuba. 
These five courageous and compassionate individuals are now part of a 
legacy of global medical solidarity that began 26 years ago when Cuba 
offered full scholarships to students from underserved communities 
around the world, including the United States.
  In partnership with the Interreligious Foundation for Community 
Organization (IFCO), the U.S. ELAM program has graduated 256 physicians 
since its inception. Many of these graduates come from communities that 
have historically been denied access to medical education. These 
individuals have chosen a career path focused on service rather than 
profit, prioritizing community health over personal comfort.
  Currently, 101 graduates are making significant contributions to 
public health across various fields, including integrative medicine, 
research, education, and nonprofit work. Additionally, 144 graduates 
are either fully licensed or participating in residency programs in 
over 30 U.S. states, with many practicing in areas designated as health 
professional shortage areas or medically underserved communities.
  Seventy percent of the program's graduates are women, and eighty 
percent are Black and Brown, reflecting the diversity of the broader 
student body at the school as a whole.
  These graduates faced unique challenges, including studying medicine 
in a second language, adapting to a different healthcare system, and 
navigating the geopolitical impacts of the U.S. blockade on Cuba. 
Despite these obstacles, they persisted. Their achievements are not 
just academic; they are also profoundly political, demonstrating what 
is possible when healthcare and medical education are recognized as 
fundamental human rights.
  Mr. Speaker, during a time when our healthcare system struggles with 
racial and economic disparities, these doctors remind us that another 
model is possible--one founded on equity, internationalism, and public 
service.
  On behalf of Mississippi's 2nd Congressional District, I extend my 
heartfelt congratulations to the U.S. ELAM Class of 2026. May their 
work continue to heal, inspire, and remind us that solidarity can 
indeed save lives.

                          ____________________