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.