[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5011]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO DR. HUGO M. MORALES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2007

  Mr. SERRANO. Madam Speaker, it is both an honor and a privilege to 
rise in recognition of Dr. Hugo M. Morales, an illustrious member of 
the proud Dominican community here in the United States. During this 
month as we reflect on and commemorate the contributions that 
Dominicans have--and continue to make--to our great nation, we can take 
heart that as the years pass and the landscape of the United States 
undergoes further transformation, we have pillars in our community like 
Dr. Morales, whose accomplished medical career and selfless ethic can 
serve to show others the way.
  Earning his medical degree in the Dominican Republic at the 
University of Santo Domingo in 1956, and later doing post graduate work 
at the New York Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital from 1961 until 
1963, Dr. Morales is a specialist in the field of Psychiatry. From 1957 
through 1961, Dr. Morales underwent residency training beginning at 
Morrisania Hospital in the Bronx, and later at both Harlem Valley State 
Hospital and Grasslands Hospital, where he was named Chief Medical 
Resident. From 1962 until 1999, Dr. Morales practiced medicine at 
several medical facilities, spending the majority of his career however 
at Bronx Mental Health Center, where he attained the position of 
Medical Director.
  Over the years, Dr. Morales has been licensed to practice medicine in 
four different U.S. states, and holds numerous board certified 
licenses. In addition, Dr. Morales has held a teaching appointment as 
Instructor of Psychiatry at Harlem Hospital, and has been the Attending 
Psychiatrist at both Grace Hospital Center and Bronx Lebanon Hospital's 
Fulton Division.
  Belonging to more than a dozen professional medical societies, and 
having been appointed to an even greater number of consultation 
assignments over the years, Dr. Morales' extensive medical background 
and expertise has been called upon repeatedly by learning institutions 
throughout the U.S. and by government agencies on the city, state, and 
federal level. He has grappled with issues from repairing the foster 
care system to addressing post-traumatic stress disorder in the 
aftermath of the September 11th attacks.
  Moreover, Dr. Morales has received over a dozen honors for his work, 
including the Christopher Columbus Award--presented to him by the 
President of the Dominican Republic in 1992--and the Ellis Island Medal 
of Honor, which he received in 1996. In 2002, Dr. Morales was appointed 
to the Board of Trustees of the City University of New York (CUNY) by 
then Governor George Pataki--making Dr. Morales the first and only 
Dominican to ever hold this position. Through his work with CUNY, Dr. 
Morales has spearheaded an initiative very close to my heart--that of 
archiving the migration experience of Hispanic populations to this 
country. His historical study focuses on the Dominican community, and 
documents the resilient, inventive, and dignified manner through which 
Dominicans have bridged our two great countries.
  Madam Speaker, on occasions like today, when I have the opportunity 
to honor such a venerated member of the Dominican community as Dr. 
Morales, I realize that words alone are incapable of truly conveying 
all that this individual means--not only to Dominicans in the United 
States--but also to the larger Hispanic community, as well. That being 
said, this is also a deeply touching moment for me, as I have had the 
pleasure of calling Dr. Morales a personal friend of mine for over 
thirty years. Madam Speaker, the constellation of Hispanics living in 
this country continues to bring light and richness to the American 
experience. That constellation undoubtedly shines brighter today 
because of individuals like Dr. Hugo Morales.

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