[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO AL LIPSCOMB

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2011

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, June 
18, 2011, the people of Dallas, Texas and the United States suffered a 
great loss with the passing of Al Lipscomb. Al Lipscomb was a strong 
community leader, businessman and a devoted public servant. He was 
never afraid of controversy; he was a true advocate for peace, racial 
justice, and social equality. He was 86 years old.
  Mr. Lipscomb was born in East Dallas. He was educated in the Dallas 
public schools, attending Booker T. Washington High School and 
graduating from Lincoln High. He joined the Army Air Force in 
California with the military police in 1943. He returned to Dallas in 
1950, married and became the head waiter in the executive dining room 
of the First National Bank. He was reprimanded by his boss after going 
to the courthouse to watch Thurgood Marshall file a Dallas school 
desegregation case.
  In 1966, he became a neighborhood organizer for the Dallas Community 
Action Agency. He was also an organizer for the Dallas chapter of Dr. 
King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
  Al Lipscomb is known for filing a groundbreaking lawsuit that forced 
Dallas to elect council members by individual districts. He served on 
the city council for 15 years and was the first black person to run for 
Dallas mayor.
  In 1972, Mr. Lipscomb opened the South Dallas Information Center on 
Pennsylvania Avenue, where he handled a constant stream of phone calls 
and questions from passersby seeking assistance. The center was 
supported by donations. He also kept a high profile by making the 
rounds at public meetings, asking tough questions, and offering 
suggestions.
  In 1984, he was elected to the City Council and became a vocal critic 
of the Dallas Police Department's treatment of minorities. And in the 
late 1980s, Mr. Lipscomb and Ms. Diane Ragsdale--the only black members 
of the council--drew national media attention and local death threats. 
Despite the hostilities toward him, he remained both a critic and a 
skeptic of the city he loved. ``I see a great change,'' he said. ``I 
see a great change, a change for the better.''
  Al was a man of great commitment. He provided tremendous support for 
me as a public official. I am deeply grateful for his counsel, support, 
assistance, and unquestionable trusted friendship.
  I remember him as being extremely affable, charismatic, and 
passionate about the needs of community. For all of us he was as one of 
the most accessible elected officials, always available to listen and 
reach out to us in addressing complex issues in a hands-on and 
collaborative fashion.
  Today, Texas's 30th Congressional District salutes and honors Al 
Lipscomb. We thank Mr. Lipscomb's wife, Lovie, his children, and his 
grandchildren for sharing his exuberant and compassionate spirit with 
us. His family was always supportive and understanding of his 
commitment. His fight for justice and equality should not, can not, and 
will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________