June 25, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 117 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page H2430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING LESLIE LAMAR WILKES, JR., MD

  (Mr. CARTER of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember and 
honor the life of Dr. Leslie Lamar Wilkes, Jr., who went to be with the 
Lord on April 4.
  Les and I attended church together at Wesley Monumental United 
Methodist Church in Savannah, Georgia, and he was always a devoted 
member who took every opportunity he could to serve for over 40 years.
  He was born and raised in Georgia and eventually received his MD 
degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1965, before becoming a 
surgeon for the U.S. Navy.
  Dr. Wilkes was an amazing person with a true passion for the medical 
field, being one of the first surgeons in Georgia to perform 
arthroscopic knee surgery and, all in all, performed about 15,000 
operations.
  He received numerous accolades throughout his life, including the 
Savannah's Best Doctor Award numerous times, and the Georgia Medical 
Society awarded him the Health Care Hero Award in 2010 as well as the 
Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. He was active in various medical 
organizations as well as community service organizations, like the 
Savannah Rotary Club.
  Dr. Wilkes embodied what it means to be a steadfast and humble 
servant. He used every area of his life to help others, including his 
patients, community, fellow church members, friends, family, and his 
country.
  His family, friends, and all those impacted by him will be in my 
thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.

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