[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 30, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MR. RAYMON P. DONES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 30, 2011

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of one of the nation's first and greatest African-
American construction project developers, Mr. Raymon P. Dones. A loving 
husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great great-
grandfather and friend, Mr. Dones was also a talented entrepreneur, 
businessman, inventor and civil rights trailblazer. With Mr. Dones' 
passing at the age of 92, we are reminded of his life's journey and the 
joyful legacy he inspired.
  Born in 1918, Mr. Dones learned the electrical and plumbing trades 
while working as a Pullman car porter in Denver, Colorado. After 
earning his electrical contracting license, he founded Dones Electric, 
which later became incorporated as Aladdin Electric in Oakland, 
California. Mr. Dones' broad interests also included inventing. He 
received a U.S. patent for the design of a loud speaker enclosure in 
1964.
  In the mid-1960s, Mr. Dones became a leading force in advocating for 
minority contractors and their employees. Working with Joe Debro and 
Frank Poole, he helped found a group to fight for increased 
opportunities for minority contractors, which later became the National 
Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC). In 1969, Mr. Dones was 
elected NAMC president and Mr. Debro became executive director.
  Today the nonprofit trade association boasts chapters in 49 states, 
as well as England, South Africa and the Virgin Islands. Mr. Dones was 
also instrumental in establishing Project Upgrade, one of the first 
construction trades apprenticeship training programs in the United 
States. In the Bay Area, Mr. Dones participated in building or 
subcontracting a considerable part of Oakland's landscape, including 
the MORH and Acorn housing developments in West Oakland, the West 
Oakland Health Center and the early construction of Oakland City 
Center.
  Even into his late 80s, Mr. Dones continued to volunteer in the 
community and work with his son, my good friend Alan, who followed his 
footsteps as a leader in minority contracting and development. A 
recipient of many accolades throughout his career, Mr. Dones was named 
one of the most influential people in the construction industry by 
Engineering New-Record Magazine in 1999.
  Ray was a Renaissance Man. As a Capitol Hill staffer for former 
Congressman and Mayor Ron Dellums during the 70s and 80s, I remember 
how Ray came to Washington, D.C. to educate staff regarding the 
importance of minority business participation. He was a tireless 
advocate and knew how to influence public policy on behalf of minority 
contractors. We became close friends and Ray and his beloved late wife, 
Inez, also became some of my longstanding supporters as an elected 
official. His smile and kind words of support always gave me 
encouragement and inspiration to continue the fight. I will miss this 
great warrior tremendously.
  In addition to his notable career and influence, Mr. Dones was a 
proud husband to the late Inez Dones, and father to their extensive 
family. The couple both came to their union with three children from 
prior relationships, and had two more children together. Mr. Dones will 
be deeply missed by his surviving children, and a host of 
grandchildren, loved ones and friends.
  Today, California's 9th Congressional District salutes and honors a 
great human being, Mr. Raymon P. Dones. The contributions he made to 
others throughout his life are countless and precious. My thoughts and 
prayers are with his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.

                          ____________________