An eminent Hawaii scientist will receive a Congressional Gold Medal on Saturday in Honolulu.
It’s the highest award bestowed upon a civilian by Congress, and recognizes an individual for a major achievement that has had an impact on American history and culture.
Ernest James Harris, 88, originally from Arkansas and now a Kaneohe resident, will be recognized for his service as part of the first wave of African-Americans to join the Marine Corps, helping to break racial barriers.
Harris went on to distinguish himself in his scientific work eradicating destructive fruit flies.
The ceremony is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Washington Place in Honolulu. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz will speak at the ceremony.
Harris served in World War II as a Marine after training at Camp Montford Point, N.C.
About 20,000 African-American recruits received training at Montford Point.
Harris, who earned a doctorate in entomology from the University of Hawaii in 1975, worked for 40 years as a scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Hawaii and did groundbreaking work in eradicating fruit flies.
More than 20 countries have adopted his eradication methods for fruit flies, including Chile, where fruit fly populations were eliminated in 1975.
He was inducted into the Royal Entomological Society of London in 1989.
His work allowed the Chilean government to export fruit worldwide, and the Chilean government issued an official commendation to him in 1996.
