[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9702-9703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                     HONORING DR. EDWARD W. WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Dr. Edward W. Wright. Known throughout the Bay 
Area as a physician, mentor, active community member, and devoted 
husband and father, Mr. Wright has left an indelible mark on our 
community. With his passing on May 29, 2014, we look to the outstanding 
quality of his life's work.
  Born on June 2, 1922 in Fayette, Howard County, Missouri, Dr. Edward 
Wright was the fourth child born to William Marion Wright and Lunie K. 
Cameron. When Dr. Wright was five years old, he caught scarlet fever 
and was hospitalized for a long period of time. At this young age, Dr. 
Wright was inspired to become a doctor. He later moved to El Paso, 
Texas to live with his aunt and uncle after losing both of his parents 
in an unfortunate tragedy. In El Paso, he graduated Douglas High School 
with honors, and he then went on to attend Sam Houston College in 
Austin, Texas. In 1943, Dr. Wright graduated Magna Cum Laude as a Pre-
Medical student with a Bachelor of Science Degree.
  In 1945, Dr. Edward Wright attended Meharry Medical College in 
Nashville, Tennessee, where he partook in an accelerated program in 
Internal Medicine. At the age of 25, he graduated with honors and went 
on to complete his residency at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in 
Tuskegee, Alabama. He became Chief Resident and served as a full-time 
staff physician until 1955.
  Dr. Edward Wright and his family relocated to California in 1955, 
where Dr. Wright served as a Medical Officer for the Armed Forces at 
Fort Ord. After he completed his service, they relocated to Oakland, 
where Dr. Wright began a private practice in December 1958. Seven years 
later, he established and built a medical facility to serve families 
throughout Oakland.
  In addition to his prolific career, Dr. Wright was an active member 
in the community. He volunteered at the East Oakland Boys Club, 
providing physical exams, counseling and financial assistance for 
camperships and uniforms. For the next 40 years, Dr. Wright served as a 
physician, mentor and father-figure to more than 1,200 boys at the 
North and East Oakland Boys Clubs. Dr. Wright was also active with the 
Oakland Chapter of the Lions Club, providing countless hours of Loyal 
Lions Service.
  In 1969, he joined the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club 
and then served as President of the Board from 1980 to 1982. He was 
presented with the Man and Boy Trophy Award for his work with the Boys 
and Girls Clubs in 1964. Later, he received the Boys and Girls Clubs 
Service Award Medallion and then was honored during a formal tribute in 
2000 at the First Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner.
  On a personal note, I have known Dr. Wright, or ``Piggy'' as my 
mother, Mildred Massey, called him, since I was a child. He and my 
mother attended school together and were very close. We loved ``Piggy'' 
and will miss him tremendously. He was one of my earliest supporters 
when I first ran for public office in 1989 and, for that, I am deeply 
grateful.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an 
outstanding individual, Dr. Edward W. Wright. As an Oakland resident, 
Dr. Wright's contributions have truly impacted so many lives throughout 
the Bay Area. I join all of Edward's loved ones in celebrating his 
incredible life. He will be deeply missed.

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