[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 45 (Friday, March 10, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S3772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO JESSE LEWIS, JR.

  Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, Jesse J. Lewis, Jr., a Birmingham, AL, 
advertising and public relations executive, passed away on February 26 
after a tragic automobile accident. He was the president and chief 
executive officer of Jesse J. Lewis & Associates. His firm's clients 
included the State of Alabama, the city of Birmingham, the Birmingham 
Water Works Board, Midfield Dodge, the Birmingham Civil Rights 
Institute, and the Jefferson County Citizens' Coalition.
  A native of Birmingham, Jesse Lewis, Jr., was one of the first blacks 
to attend the prestigious Indian Springs School in Pelham. He later 
graduated from John Carroll High School and Miles College.
  In 1980, he took over the advertising firm from his father, Jesse 
Lewis Sr., who is publisher of the Birmingham Times newspaper, former 
president of Lawson State Community College, and the first black this 
century appointed to an Alabama Governor's cabinet; he served as 
director of highway traffic and safety under former Gov. George 
Wallace. The firm was founded in 1952, and is one of the oldest black-
owned advertising and public relations companies in the country.
  Jesse J. Lewis & Associates received the 1994 Travel Industry of 
America's Marketing and Promotion Creativity Award in the broadcast/
radio category for an Alabama Bureau of Tourism commercial. Jesse, Jr. 
was also nominated for Business Person of the Year last year. He had a 
wide circle of friends crossing racial, economic, and social lines. He 
was extremely energetic and contributed much of his time to many civic 
organizations, especially those having to do with the city of 
Birmingham. He sat on the board of directors of the Birmingham Urban 
League.
  Jesse Lewis, Jr.'s death at such a young age leaves a great void in 
his community and the business world of which he was such an integral 
part. He had already accomplished so much professionally, and so much 
more was confidently expected of him. He truly enjoyed the admiration 
and respect of those who knew him, including his loyal clients.
  I extend my sincerest condolences to Jesse's parents, Jesse and Helen 
Lewis, and his brother James in the wake of their tremendous loss.

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