Christensen Praises Stokes at Portrait Unveiling

(Washington, D.C. – December 17, 2012) – Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen praised retired Congressman Louis Stokes on Monday for his work on health care that has influenced generations.  Stokes was honored with the unveiling of his portrait at the Louis Stokes Laboratories at the National Institutes of Health.  Congresswoman Christensen praised Stokes “for his many and significant contributions to the health and wellbeing of everyone who lives in this country and to the institutions and individuals who have been empowered in our work because of his service,” she said. Christensen called Stokes, a “humble, but impactful leader.”

Congresswoman Christensen spoke on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus and its Braintrust, both of which Congressman Stokes founded and provided leadership for and through during his tenure in the Congress.  “I bring with me the pride and appreciation of the entire CBC, including and especially our incoming chair, Marcia Fudge, who represents the Ohio district that Congressman Stokes led with such distinction,” Congresswoman Christensen said. “Both she and I are humbled, but honored to have been given the opportunity to carry on his legacy.”  Congressman Stokes in turn, praised Christensen’s work with the Braintrust, stating that she has “taken it to another level.”

Congresswoman Christensen also spoke of Stokes’ work in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Health Scholars program and the Stokes Health Policy Fellows program which trains young people in health care policy.  “They too are a part of his legacy,” she said. This year, Thomas Brunet who grew up on St. Thomas, attending All Saints, serves as a Stokes Fellow in Christensen’s Washington, DC office. He accompanied Christensen to the ceremony. Other Virgin Islanders in attendance included Dr. Gloria Callwood and representatives from the Caribbean Exploratory Research Center at the University of the Virgin Islands.

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