[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17035-17036]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   A TRIBUTE TO DR. BOISEY O. BARNES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 2005

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise and ask my colleagues to join me 
in paying tribute to Dr. Boisey O. Barnes who will be honored by the 
Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc. in conjunction with the 
National Medical Association on Friday, July 22, 2005 at the Sheraton 
New York Hotel. Dr. Barnes is being honored for his outstanding 
contributions to cardiology as an acclaimed physician, researcher, 
educator, humanitarian and spokesman.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Barnes is a native of my hometown of Wilson, North 
Carolina. His parents were Dr. B.O. Barnes and Flossie Howard Barnes. 
He graduated from Charles H. Darden High School in 1960, Johnson C. 
Smith University in 1964, and the Howard University School of Medicine 
in 1968. While in high school, Dr. Barnes distinguished himself as a 
scholar and an outstanding quarterback on the football team.
  Dr. Barnes' father practiced medicine in our hometown for many years 
prior to his untimely death in 1956. His patients were the poor and 
disadvantaged minority citizens of the county who basically could not 
afford health care but he provided it without reservation. One of the 
local elementary schools in our community is named ``B.O. Barnes 
Elementary School.'' Mr. Speaker, it was this family background of 
public service that has laid the foundation for the great work of Dr. 
Barnes.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Barnes has held a number of significant positions 
over the years including that of Founding Member of the Association of 
Black Cardiologists, Inc; developer of the Echocardiography, Laboratory 
at Howard University Hospital; Lead Investigator for ARIES, the first 
national cholesterol study in African Americans; and recipient of the 
Favorite Doctor in D.C. Award.
  However, it is not the work for which he has already been honored 
that is most impressive

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nor is it the numerous accolades he has received from such notables as 
the D.C. Medical Society, Providence Hospital and President Bill 
Clinton. Rather it is the work that has received no recognition that 
makes Dr. Barnes a truly special individual.
  Over the last 30 years, Dr. Barnes has acted as a dedicated servant 
to one of our nation's most disadvantaged communities. As the only 
Board Certified Cardiologist in Anacostia, Dr. Barnes has devoted his 
career, his talents and his long list of credentials to fighting the 
number one killer in our nation, heart disease. Over three decades, Dr. 
Barnes has stood for dedication, service and compassion in an 
environment that rarely affords either.
  For his steadfast work through adversity and breakthrough 
accomplishments in the field of cardiology, I call upon my colleagues 
to join me today in rising to honor this truly great man and praise not 
simply his individual deeds but the body of his work. Dr. Barnes is a 
remarkable physician and a credit to his field; I thank him for his 
service, and thank his lovely wife of decades, Bernadine and their two 
precious daughters, Tamera and Bridget, for sharing Dr. Barnes with us.

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