Floor Speech2026-06-02

TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM EDWARD FINLAYSON

Context

On 2026-06-02, Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI-4) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM EDWARD FINLAYSON" in the House.

Full Text

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E508] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM EDWARD FINLAYSON ______ HON. GWEN MOORE of wisconsin in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to mourn the recent passing of Dr. William Edward Finlayson, a dedicated medical advocate, devoted father, and truly revered figure in both our city and our Nation. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his loving family, dear friends, and the countless individuals whose lives were touched by his remarkable spirit. Dr. Finlayson's life was nothing short of historic. Born on September 1, 1924, in Manatee, Florida, to parents Reverend James Anthony Franklin Finlayson and Alba Eugene Keys Finlayson, he began his extraordinary journey by attending a lecture by George Washington Carver in high school. Shortly thereafter he was admitted to Florida A&M University at just 16 years old. While there he met educator and civil rights icon Mary McCloud Bethune. At 18, he took the first step in a lifetime of service by joining the United States Army, where he served as a First Lieutenant from 1943 to 1946 and later continued his service in the Army Reserves. His military service reflected courage, leadership, and commitment to country that defined his life. By 1948, Dr. Finlayson earned a Bachelor of Science from Morehouse College before receiving his Doctor of Medicine from Meharry Medical College in 1953. During his time at Morehouse, not only met scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, but he also developed a friendship with his classmate and fraternity brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That friendship later led Dr. King to visit Milwaukee in 1964 to help raise funds for integration, raising approximately $12,000 for the cause. After completing his residency at the University of Minnesota in 1958, Dr. Finlayson established his own private medical practice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This marked the beginning of a lasting legacy that strengthened and transformed our community for generations to come. In 1971, Dr. Finlayson founded Milwaukee's first Black-owned bank, North Milwaukee State Bank, in response to widespread lending discrimination within the city. The bank became a vital resource for Milwaukee residents and businesses, helping expand access to credit while promoting financial literacy, supporting personal and business growth, and increasing homeownership opportunities throughout the community. Dr. Finlayson served as chairman of the board for 26 years during the bank's more than four decades of operation. Dr. Finlayson's impact extended far beyond banking. He was the first Black obstetrician and gynecologist at both Mount Sinai Hospital and the former St. Joseph's Hospital, now known as Ascension Southeast Wisconsin Hospital--St. Joseph. Over the course of his four-decade medical career, he welcomed nearly 10,000 babies into the world. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Finlayson held numerous leadership positions throughout Milwaukee's medical and civic communities. He served as president of the Cream City Medical Society and the Milwaukee Gynecological Society. He also served as vice president of United Community Services, now known as United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, and a delegate to the Wisconsin Medical Society. He also served on the board of directors of the Southeastern Wisconsin Health System Agency, as a member of the Urban League, and as a lifetime member of the NAACP. Through this remarkable leadership and mentorship, Dr. Finlayson helped shape the fabric of our city and inspired generations of medical professionals. I would also be remiss if I did not recognize the loving partnership between Dr. Finlayson and his late wife, Edith Finlayson. The two met while he was attending medical school and Edith was completing her training to become a nurse. Their marriage was rooted in a shared commitment to service, compassion, and community leadership. Edith herself was a respected advocate and leader in Milwaukee, and together they set an enduring example of love, faith, and service. The deep love Dr. Finlayson held for his wife and their three children was evident in all he did. Dr. Finlayson's life was a testament to the power of uplifting others through selfless service. In every chapter of his extraordinary journey, he showed us that true success is measured not by personal achievement, but by the lives we change along the way. His accomplishments broke barriers, strengthened communities, and opened doors for generations to come. Dr. Finlayson was not only a pioneering leader, but also a mentor and inspiration to so many, me included. As I reflect on the incredible life he lived and the enduring legacy he leaves behind, I am both humbled and profoundly grateful for his example of courage, compassion, and service. Mr. Speaker, it is for all these reasons that I am deeply honored to pay tribute to this American trailblazer, Dr. William Edward Finlayson. The people of the 4th Congressional District, the State of Wisconsin, and the entire United States stand in gratitude for a lifetime of courage and selfless service. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations, and his story will remain forever etched into the conscience of our Nation. ____________________

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TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM EDWARD FINLAYSON Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 93 (Tuesday, June 2, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E508] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] TRIBUTE TO DR. WILLIAM EDWARD FINLAYSON ______ HON. GWEN MOORE of wisconsin in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to mourn the recent passing of Dr. William Edward Finlayson, a dedicated medical advocate, devoted father, and truly revered figure in both our city and our Nation. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his loving family, dear friends, and the countless individuals whose lives were touched by his remarkable spirit. Dr. Finlayson's life was nothing short of historic. Born on September 1, 1924, in Manatee, Florida, to parents Reverend James Anthony Franklin Finlayson and Alba Eugene Keys Finlayson, he began his extraordinary journey by attending a lecture by George Washington Carver in high school. Shortly thereafter he was admitted to Florida A&M University at just 16 years old. While there he met educator and civil rights icon Mary McCloud Bethune. At 18, he took the first step in a lifetime of service by joining the United States Army, where he served as a First Lieutenant from 1943 to 1946 and later continued his service in the Army Reserves. His military service reflected courage, leadership, and commitment to country that defined his life. By 1948, Dr. Finlayson earned a Bachelor of Science from Morehouse College before receiving his Doctor of Medicine from Meharry Medical College in 1953. During his time at Morehouse, not only met scholar W.E.B. Du Bois, but he also developed a friendship with his classmate and fraternity brother Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That friendship later led Dr. King to visit Milwaukee in 1964 to help raise funds for integration, raising approximately $12,000 for the cause. After completing his residency at the University of Minnesota in 1958, Dr. Finlayson established his own private medical practice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This marked the beginning of a lasting legacy that strengthened and transformed our community for generations to come. In 1971, Dr. Finlayson founded Milwaukee's first Black-owned bank, North Milwaukee State Bank, in response to widespread lending discrimination within the city. The bank became a vital resource for Milwaukee residents and businesses, helping expand access to credit while promoting financial literacy, supporting personal and business growth, and increasing homeownership opportunities throughout the community. Dr. Finlayson served as chairman of the board for 26 years during the bank's more than four decades of operation. Dr. Finlayson's impact extended far beyond banking. He was the first Black obstetrician and gynecologist at both Mount Sinai Hospital and the former St. Joseph's Hospital, now known as Ascension Southeast Wisconsin Hospital--St. Joseph. Over the course of his four-decade medical career, he welcomed nearly 10,000 babies into the world. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Finlayson held numerous leadership positions throughout Milwaukee's medical and civic communities. He served as president of the Cream City Medical Society and the Milwaukee Gynecological Society. He also served as vice president of United Community Services, now known as United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, and a delegate to the Wisconsin Medical Society. He also served on the board of directors of the Southeastern Wisconsin Health System Agency, as a member of the Urban League, and as a lifetime member of the NAACP. Through this remarkable leadership and mentorship, Dr. Finlayson helped shape the fabric of our city and inspired generations of medical professionals. I would also be remiss if I did not recognize the loving partnership between Dr. Finlayson and his late wife, Edith Finlayson. The two met while he was attending medical school and Edith was completing her training to become a nurse. Their marriage was rooted in a shared commitment to service, compassion, and community leadership. Edith herself was a respected advocate and leader in Milwaukee, and together they set an enduring example of love, faith, and service. The deep love Dr. Finlayson held for his wife and their three children was evident in all he did. Dr. Finlayson's life was a testament to the power of uplifting others through selfless service. In every chapter of his extraordinary journey, he showed us that true success is measured not by personal achievement, but by the lives we change along the way. His accomplishments broke barriers, strengthened communities, and opened doors for generations to come. Dr. Finlayson was not only a pioneering leader, but also a mentor and inspiration to so many, me included. As I reflect on the incredible life he lived and the enduring legacy he leaves behind, I am both humbled and profoundly grateful for his example of courage, compassion, and service. Mr. Speaker, it is for all these reasons that I am deeply honored to pay tribute to this American trailblazer, Dr. William Edward Finlayson. The people of the 4th Congressional District, the State of Wisconsin, and the entire United States stand in gratitude for a lifetime of courage and selfless service. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations, and his story will remain forever etched into the conscience of our Nation. ____________________