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Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of
Dr. H.D. ``Dave'' Luck, a statesman, a leader, a veteran, and a true gentleman
who passed away on January 3, 2005 in Arkansas at the age of 79. Dr. Luck
was a man who, in deed and action, distinguished himself as someone who
set forth to make Arkansas a better place to live as a champion for civil
rights and higher education.
Born in 1925 in New York City, Dr. Luck graduated from Bates College
in Maine in 1945, and earned his M.D. degree from Case Western Reserve
University School of Medicine in Cleveland. After doing post graduate work
in medical education at the United States Naval School of Aviation Medicine
in Florida, and at University Hospital in Little Rock, Dr. Luck eventually
settled in Arkadelphia where he founded the Arkadelphia Medical Clinic
in 1979.
Dr. Luck began a life of public service in Arkadelphia, where he served
as President of General Industries Corporation from 1962 until 1968, the
Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and the Arkadelphia Kiwanis Club. He was
awarded the Junior Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Award in 1963.
Dr. Luck continued an inspiring career of public service on the state
as Chair of the Democratic Party. In 1964, he chaired the Committee for
Voter Registration. Dr. Luck's passion was Civil Rights; he chaired the
coalition that successfully created a constitutional amendment which abolished
the poll tax and set up a system of permanent voter registration. In 1965,
President Johnson appointed him to the White House Conference on Civil
Rights. Like many reformers before him, Dr. Luck was driven by a cause
that was met with adversity. He met each challenge and cause with fervor
that mystifies and inspires us to public service.
In addition to Civil Rights, Dr. Luck was committed to improving Arkansas
higher education. He served as Trustee of Henderson State University in
Arkadelphia from 1970 until 1982. He was appointed to the Arkansas State
Board of Higher Education by Governor Bill Clinton, serving from 1988 until
1994.
His service went far beyond civilian life; Dr. Luck served in the U.S.
Navy V-12 program during World War II. He also served as a Naval Medical
Officer during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
Arkansas will be forever grateful that such a visionary leader came
along, at the time he did, to lead us into a new era. I hope that you are
as inspired as I have been by Dr. Luck's relentless determination to fight
for such important causes. While Dr. Luck is no longer with us, his legacy
lives on by the way he improved the quality of life for all Arkansans. |
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PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF
THE 109th CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION
