[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 40 (Monday, March 15, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S2622]]
TRIBUTE TO REVEREND AVERY C. ALEXANDER, STATE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE FROM 
                               LOUISIANA

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to rise for a 
moment of personal privilege on behalf of myself and Senator John 
Breaux to note with great sadness the passing of a leading citizen of 
my hometown, New Orleans, LA, our State representative, Rev. Avery C. 
Alexander, a community and civil rights leader for many decades who 
passed away in New Orleans last Friday at the age of 88.
  Reverend Alexander, or ``the Rev,'' as he was referred to by all of 
his many, many, many friends, was the son of a sharecropper from Houma, 
LA, and rose to prominence in the 1960s civil rights struggle. From the 
streets of New Orleans where he ``shouted out'' for the voiceless, to 
the halls of Baton Rouge where he fought for better schools, civil 
rights, and a more inclusive economy, ``the Rev'' stood tall.
  When I was considering running for the legislature many, many years 
ago at the ripe old age of 23, my father rightfully advised me to meet 
with a small group of leaders to ask for their input and their ideas 
and their counsel.
  The first person to show up at our home on that day was ``the Rev.'' 
Once I was elected to the legislature, he helped me understand the 
political process from the inside as well as the outside. I will always 
be grateful for his early advice and counsel, and so will the thousands 
of others who have benefited from his encouraging words, his fighting 
spirit and determination to make this world a better place for all.
  Reverend Alexander was a person who always managed somehow to rise 
above the man-made limitations placed on him, and he succeeded 
triumphantly.
  It was Margaret Mead who said, ``Never doubt that a small group of 
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.'' In fact, she 
said, it has never been done any other way. ``The Rev'' knew that and 
lived that until the day he passed. Many times, he alone was that small 
group, and he did, in fact, change our world for the better.
  He worked as a laborer and a longshoreman--before he was a member of 
the legislature--while continuing his education at night. When he 
witnessed the unfair treatment of dock workers, he became active in the 
labor movement on the waterfront in New Orleans.
  As a lifelong member of the NAACP, he championed the cause of 
antidiscrimination, voter registration, and citizen review of police 
brutality and misconduct.
  He participated in the now famous march from Selma to Montgomery 
alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1956, Reverend Alexander 
was arrested and dragged up the steps from the basement of city hall 
while attempting to integrate the public cafeteria in that building.
  In 1992, he established a nondenominational ministry founded on the 
principle of ``helping all people.'' Reverend Alexander was elected to 
the House of Representatives in 1975 and remained an active and 
effective member until his recent death.
  As dedicated as he was to advocating civil rights for African 
Americans, he was equally dedicated to standing up for the rights of 
women. His words of encouragement throughout the years were in no small 
part responsible for helping me become the first elected woman Senator 
from Louisiana.
  As a strong believer in higher education, he continued his own 
personal education at Xavier University, Southern University, Tulane 
University and the Union Theological Seminary and the University of New 
Orleans. Reverend Alexander also served as chaplain for many, many 
years of the Louisiana legislative black caucus, on the National Board 
of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was a delegate on 
three separate occasions to the National Democratic Convention.
  Mr. President, the citizens of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana 
have lost a dear friend. Many young leaders in our State and throughout 
the country have lost a great mentor, and the American people have lost 
a great civil rights leader. He will be missed. God bless his family, 
especially his daughter Cheryl, his brother Lymon and all the 
grandchildren and great grandchildren. We today commend him to you, 
dear Lord, in your eternal care.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield back the remainder of my time and 
suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The remarks of Ms. COLLINS pertaining to the introduction of S. 617 
are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills 
and Joint Resolutions.'')

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