[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 11206-11207]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         IN HONOR OF DR. CHARLES ``CHUCK'' LIONEL FRANKLIN, JR.

                                  _____
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2014

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding community leader, caring physician, and loving husband, 
father, grandfather, and friend, Dr. Charles ``Chuck'' Lionel Franklin, 
Jr. Dr. Franklin departed to his eternal reward on Monday, June 2, 
2014. A funeral service was held on Monday, June 9, 2014, at the 
Dunbarton Chapel at Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C. 
Hundreds of mourners were present to pay tribute to Dr. Franklin's 
honorable life and legacy.
  Dr. Franklin was born on April 5, 1946, and was raised in Washington, 
D.C. Over the course of his lifetime, Dr. Franklin exemplified the 
meaning of being a servant leader. He began at Howard University, where 
he never missed an opportunity to engage in causes that promoted 
justice and equality. Even as an alumnus, his commitment to the 
university remained one of his greatest causes. He advocated the D.C. 
Metro bus system to change the name of the bus stop for Howard's campus 
from ``LeDroit Park'' to ``Howard University'' to recognize the 
university's status in the same way that other prominent colleges were 
recognized. Also, as a result of his advocacy on behalf of his beloved 
alma mater and black college football, the Washington media began 
publishing the scores and highlights of black college sports in 
mainstream sports news stories. Dr. Franklin shared Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr.'s belief that, ``Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice 
everywhere.''
  In 1976, Dr. Franklin expanded his repertoire of servant leadership 
by opening his Family Medicine practice in Silver Spring, Maryland, 
with medical privileges at area hospitals. Dr. Franklin practiced 
medicine for 35 years, focusing on patient advocacy. He worked 
tirelessly to bring awareness to the prevention of HIV/AIDS and 
diabetes.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the things that I will always remember about Dr. 
Franklin is his steadfast commitment to his family and his faith. I 
became fond of Dr. Franklin through his wife, the former Alexis 
Margaret Herman, former U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Bill 
Clinton, and a lifelong friend of mine. As big brother to Dolores and 
Estelle, dad to Sharath, Michelle and young Chuck, grandfather to Brian 
and David, and inspiration to extended family and countless friends, 
Chuck spared no effort in sharing himself to the fullest. Moreover, as 
husband, there was no limit to his love for Alexis! But above all, Dr. 
Franklin loved his Savior. Always seeking to improve the craft of 
Christian ministry and discipleship, he was often called ``the praying 
doctor'' because he not only gave his patients medical hope but he also 
prayed with them for spiritual help and healing.
  George Washington Carver once said, ``How far you go in life depends 
on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, 
sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong 
because someday

[[Page 11207]]

in your life you will have been all of these.'' Dr. Franklin went far 
in life because his loving personality brought warmth to all whom he 
encountered. A man of integrity and high moral values, his 
understanding, compassion and kindness made him a guiding light within 
the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and my wife, Vivian, in 
paying tribute to Dr. Charles ``Chuck'' Franklin, Jr. for his 
dedication to serving others, his passion for promoting equality among 
individuals from different walks of life, and his deep commitment to 
his family and his faith. We extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. 
Franklin's family and friends during this very difficult time. May they 
be consoled and comforted by their abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in 
the days, weeks and months ahead.

                          ____________________