[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18682]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES TO FAMILY OF DR. CHESTER AIKENS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 11, 2013

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sadness and a 
heavy heart, that I wish my condolences to Dr. Chester Aikens' family. 
Dr. Aikens was not only my dentist, but my long-time friend and 
community activist whom I greatly respected and admired. Aikens' 
unexpected passing leaves an irreplaceable void throughout the 
Jacksonville community.
  As a recent recipient of Mayor Alvin Brown's ``Trailblazer Award,'' 
Dr. Aikens embodied that completely. He was a coveted member of the 
Jacksonville area, where his input, mentorship, and advice was 
consistently respected and sought out. It is a telling sign towards his 
character that Dr. Aikens passed after attending a local meeting with 
the pension reform task force, an issue he was passionate about.
  After receiving a doctorate degree in dentistry from Howard 
University, for 30 years, Dr. Aikens served the Jacksonville area as a 
prominent dentist. He was a consistent force, acting as one time 
president of the National Dental Association, a member of the 
Jacksonville Civic Council, and chairman of the Jacksonville Aviation 
Authority board to name a few of his accomplishments.
  A veteran of the Florida Army Reserve Nation Guard, serving 11 years, 
Dr. Aikens dabbled in just about everything, doing his best to make an 
impact and improve his community. He was the consummate family man and 
ultimate professional. I will miss him dearly, but more importantly, 
the city of Jacksonville and broader Florida community lost an 
unparalleled leader. That said, he lived a life that should be a 
blueprint for those to come and an example of great character and 
unabridged competence.

                          ____________________