85R11616 BPG-D
By: Huberty H.R. No. 627
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The life of a transformative figure in modern
medicine drew to a close with the passing of Dr. Charles Aubrey
LeMaistre on January 28, 2017, at the age of 92; and
WHEREAS, "Mickey" LeMaistre helped save countless lives
through his pioneering work in cancer prevention; he served on the
first U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory Committee on Smoking and
Health, which galvanized change in health care policy with its
landmark 1964 report identifying cigarettes as a major health
hazard; he went on to advocate powerfully against smoking as
president of the Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Cancer Fund and as
national president of the American Cancer Society, and he chaired
the National Conference on Smoking OR Health as well as the
International Summit of Smoking Control Leaders; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, Dr. LeMaistre became president of The
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and he held that
position until his retirement in 1996; his unique gifts as a
physician, educator, and administrator were used to masterfully
guide the center's expansion during an era of rapid evolution in
health care; among other achievements, he established an innovative
and highly influential cancer-prevention program, and his
groundbreaking work also included cost-saving outpatient services
and a multidisciplinary approach to patient care; and
WHEREAS, Born in Lockhart, Alabama, Dr. LeMaistre
demonstrated an early interest in medicine and began accompanying
two prominent Tuscaloosa physicians on house calls, even assisting
in emergency surgeries; he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves as a
student at the University of Alabama and continued to serve his
country while completing his degree at Cornell University Medical
School; after working as chief resident at New York Hospital, he
became an assistant professor of medicine at Cornell and completed
a postdoctoral research fellowship in which he collaborated on the
development of drugs for infectious diseases; he was called to
active duty by the army in 1951 as a commissioned officer senior
assistant surgeon, and following his honorable discharge, he
remained a physician on active nonmilitary duty with the United
States Public Health Service; and
WHEREAS, Dr. LeMaistre joined the faculty of Emory
University School of Medicine in the mid-1950s and rose to become
the first chair of Preventive Medicine and Community Health before
accepting a professorship at The University of Texas Southwestern
Medical School in 1959; six years later, he was appointed associate
dean of UT Southwestern, and he subsequently served the UT System as
executive vice chancellor for Health Affairs, deputy chancellor,
and chancellor-elect; he began a distinguished seven-year tenure as
system chancellor in 1971; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of his extraordinary career,
Dr. LeMaistre gave generously of his time and expertise as a member
of the board for many charitable organizations; his extensive
involvement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
was recognized with the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal in
1995, and his myriad accolades further included the Cornell
University Alumni Award for Distinction, the University of Alabama
School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the American
Cancer Society Medal of Honor; the UT System Board of Regents named
him Chancellor Emeritus, and he was an Honorary Life Trustee of the
Menninger Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Devoted to his family, Dr. LeMaistre was the father
of Dr. Charles Frederick LeMaistre, William Sydney LeMaistre,
Dr. Joyce Anne LeMaistre, and Helen LeMaistre Meyer, and he took
great pride in his six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren;
he shared a fulfilling marriage of 52 years with Joyce Trapp
LeMaistre until her passing in 2003; fortunate enough to find love a
second time, he married Andreae "Andi" LeMaistre in 2005, and the
couple worked together to launch a volunteer patient advocacy
program and to support an initiative aimed at lowering the price of
cancer drugs; and
WHEREAS, Mickey LeMaistre made a profound and positive impact
in the world through his enormous achievements in medicine and
education, and his contributions will continue to resonate for
generations to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Dr. Charles Aubrey
"Mickey" LeMaistre and extend deepest condolences to all who mourn
his passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Dr. Mickey
LeMaistre.