[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 1562-1563]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     A LIFE OF SERVICE AND SHARING

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2011

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of 
the Third Congressional District of Florida and myself we rise now to 
offer our heartfelt condolences and pay tribute to the life of Dr. 
Michael Bernard Butler, a humanitarian, healer, life activist and 
friend.
  We are moved and encouraged when recalling the life achievements of 
this giant in the field of medicine and community and social activism. 
As a husband and father, we embrace his wife, his foundation for more 
than four glorious decades, Mrs. M. Jean Clarkson, and their children 
Brian and Michele. As man for whom education was the key, Dr. Butler 
received his B.S. Degree from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama 
and the degree of Medical Doctor from Howard University, Washington, 
D.C. Additional studies took him to Frankfurt Hospital in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania and Mercy Catholic Medical Center, also in Philadelphia. 
These academic and professional accomplishments insured his 
certification by and admittance to prestigious medical societies, and 
he was an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida.
  As a man who served his country, Dr. Butler distinguished himself on 
the field of battle in the Vietnam War with his service to and for the 
physical health and morale of those in his charge. He distinguished 
himself as a fine Naval Officer who valued his service to others and 
extended that service to other international theatres of need.
  As a community activist, he gave of himself and his talents to 
benefit both the individuals and the many organizations he served. From 
the American Cancer Society to the Seminole County Rotary Board, the 
YMCA, the United Negro College Fund, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., 
NAACP and was a founding member of the Sweetwater and Heathrow Country 
Clubs. These and many other civic activities were distinctive and the 
accolades received for all his good works from many were prolific and 
countless.
  And as a man of integrity, Dr. Butler was both gifted and inspiring. 
Where he saw pain, he sought to relieve it with medical acumen and 
personal interaction; where he saw potential in others, he gave them 
impetus and encouragement; where he saw despair, he brought direction 
and promise; and where he saw the need for love and caring, he gave of 
himself.

[[Page 1563]]

  The life of Dr. Michael Bernard Butler was one of accomplishment, 
service and sharing. And now in his passing we pay tribute to the man 
and his life of service to all of us, and we pray that by his example 
each of us become the bearers of his legacy of caring. We come now to 
join in prayer for mother Janie Bell Butler, wife M. Jean Clarkson 
Butler, son Brian Butler, daughter-in-law Cathy Brown-Butler, daughter 
Michele Butler, two grandsons Michael James and Andrew, sister Judy 
Butler Rivers and husband Nathaniel, sister-in-law Rogena Butler and a 
host of loving relatives, friends, whose lives have been forever 
changed by this man of peace. We thank Our Heavenly Father for allowing 
us to be blessed with the time spent with Dr. Butler, our friend and 
brother.

                          ____________________