[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 38 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E356-E357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF REVEREND DR. ISAIAH MADISON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2012

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life of a great African American educator, pastor, attorney, and highly 
respected member of our community, Reverend Dr. Isaiah Madison, who 
passed away March 1, 2012, at the age of 71.
  Dr. Isaiah Madison was born on February 16, 1941, in Lake Cormorant, 
Mississippi. He later graduated from Delta Center High School in Walls, 
Mississippi in 1960. Dr. Madison went on to receive an Associate's 
Degree from Owens Jr. College in Memphis, Tennessee, and a Bachelor of 
Arts Degree from Howard University in 1964. He continued his education 
at Howard University, where he received his Juris Doctorate. 
Additionally, Dr. Madison received a Masters Degree in Political 
Science from Atlanta University and a Masters Degree in Theology from 
the International Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
  Reverend Dr. Isaiah Madison began his career as an instructor 
teaching Political Science at Southern University in Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana; and the Clinical Law Program at Howard University School of 
Law. Dr. Madison was a retired Associate Professor of Political Science 
at Jackson State University, where he taught courses in Public Law, 
American Government and Legal Research and Writing. While at Jackson 
State, he was Co-Advisor of the prominent Fannie Lou Hamer Prelaw 
Society in the Department. The Reverend Dr. Madison was a prolific 
writer and author. He published several poems and essays dealing with a 
wide variety of subjects--ranging from the law to social justice 
issues.
  Dr. Madison was a man of deep and abiding faith, and served 
wholeheartedly as a United Methodist Pastor and Church Leader. Using 
his God-given gifts of teaching and exhortation, Dr. Madison pastored 
churches in Mississippi and Georgia. Dr. Madison was a member of New 
Dimensions International Ministries, where he served as an Assistant 
Pastor.
  In 1973, Dr. Madison was the lead attorney in the development of the 
high profile Ayers Case. In fact, he was the Chief Architect of the 
Ayers decision. Madison was the Founding Chairman of the Black 
Mississippians' Council on Higher Education which was the support

[[Page E357]]

organization that provided financial and organizational assistance to 
the Ayers effort. Madison was primarily responsible for the 
$503,000,000 settlement that was reached in the Ayers Case.
  Dr. Madison was married to Carol A. Madison of Memphis, Tennessee. 
Her son and his stepson, William L. Poston, is serving in the United 
States Navy.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in extending our 
sincere gratitude to the life and legacy of Dr. Madison. This 
extraordinary man was an unsung hero of his generation, who did not 
seek recognition but always sought justice. Our country was blessed 
with his service, strengthened by his faith, and bettered by his 
devotion to his family and the state of Mississippi.

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