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[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 161 (Friday, October 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                      HONORING JAVIER LOPEZ, M.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 3, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
my dearest friend and mentor, Javier Lopez, M.D., whose advocacy, love 
and devotion on behalf of his second family--all of us privileged to be 
in his care--has made our lives stronger by not only his medical 
brilliance, but even more significantly, by his kindness, wisdom, 
compassion, and selfless service in healing our broken bodies and 
broken hearts.
  As a life long advocate on behalf of the poor, the isolated and the 
elderly, Dr. Lopez lives the principles of his Roman Catholic faith by 
serving as an instrument of peace and hope every day, as he has done 
for nearly 50 years along Broadway Avenue. His vocation of healing will 
continue, as his practice evolves from his daily routine on Broadway 
Avenue to continuing his missions of medical miracles, ministering to 
the poor of Colombia, Honduras and to places in the world where medical 
resources are few yet the need is great.
  As a young man, Dr. Lopez journeyed to Cleveland from his homeland of 
Medellin, Colombia, to complete his residency at St. Alexis Hospital--
saying farewell to his family, friends and to the rich culture of 
Colombia. The people of North and South Broadway were immediately taken 
by Dr. Lopez' integrity, kindness, compassion and humble nature, and he 
was also moved by the kindness and gratitude shown to him. Dr. Lopez 
could have set up his practice in any suburb, but he chose to remain on 
the tough streets of Cleveland, where he was needed the most.
  For the past 50 years, Dr. Lopez' practice was entrenched with a rare 
and genuine love, concern, compassion and respect for every patient--
young, old, of every race and of every economic background.
  His most impactful work has been, and continues to be his service to 
the poor. In our country, where the uninsured are routinely denied 
health care, they found solace at the office of Dr. Lopez. He never 
turned anyone away for lack of insurance, nor inability to pay.
  Dr. Lopez continues to be a champion of health care justice and 
reform. He is an outspoken activist in support of universal health 
care; he has fought diligently on behalf of his patients when crooked 
health insurers refused to pay, and he worked tirelessly to stop the 
closing of St. Michael Hospital. After St. Michael's ultimately fell to 
a system wrought with corruption and greed, Dr. Lopez could have moved 
his practice away from North Broadway--but it was never even 
considered--he stayed where he was needed the most.
  Dr. Lopez' dedication to his patients is eclipsed only by his 
devotion to his family. His wife of more than 50 years, Nancy Lopez, 
has been and continues to be his strongest source of support, love and 
friendship.
  His sons David and Daniel, David's wife Priscilla, his granddaughter 
Ana and his daughter-in-law to be, Carmen Nogales--continue to be the 
center and light of his world.
  Dr. Lopez's office manager, Toni Maruszak, has been an invaluable and 
consistent source of support to Dr. Lopez for more than a decade. Her 
amazing memory, excellent organizational skills and ability to juggle a 
million things at once always ensured that the office ran smoothly.
  More importantly, Toni's remarkable interpersonal skills and great 
sense of humor provided comfort and reassurance for countless patients 
during difficult moments.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and gratitude 
of Dr. Javier Lopez. Despite his great achievements in medicine, he 
remains humble, grateful and virtually ego-less. He offers the same 
kindness and attention to the homeless alcoholic as he does to the 
successful CEO. He is the heart and soul of Broadway Avenue--there is 
no one like him and he is irreplaceable.
  His presence here has been a gift of healing and hope for countless 
people, including myself and my family--and will continue to be. Dr. 
Lopez walks shoulder to shoulder in the ranks of healers like Gandhi 
and Mother Teresa--guided by faith and a genuine belief in the words--
``Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.''
  Vaya con Dios, mi amigo--de hoy, manana, y siempre.
  Go with God, my friend--today, tomorrow and forever.

                          ____________________
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