[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 69 (Thursday, May 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REV. NIMROD Q. REYNOLDS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2013

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to the life and legacy of Rev. Nimrod Q. Reynolds, a beloved 
Alabamian remembered for his remarkable display of bravery and courage 
in his attempt to integrate the Carnegie Library in Anniston, Alabama 
on September 15, 1963. Rev. Reynolds passed away on Sunday, May 12 at 
the age of 82. While I am deeply saddened by his passing I am comforted 
in knowing that his legacy is one that will live on through his 
contributions to the state of Alabama and this nation.
   Rev. Reynolds was born on April 30, 1931 in Chambers County, 
Alabama. In 1949, he graduated from Chambers County High School and 
went on to obtain a degree from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia. He 
later received a Masters Degree from the Interdenominational 
Theological Seminary. But while Rev. Reynolds understood the power of 
education, he is most remembered for his lifelong commitment to 
ministry.
   At just 17 years old. Rev. Reynolds preached his first sermon at 
Macedonia Baptist Church in Five Points, Alabama. He went on to Pastor 
First Baptist Church in Union Springs Alabama before becoming Pastor of 
Seventeenth Street Missionary Baptist Church in Anniston, Alabama. Rev. 
Reynolds would remain at Seventeenth Street for over 50 years.
   In addition to serving as pastor of Seventeenth Street, Rev. 
Reynolds founded the Community Action Agency, an organization that was 
dedicated to addressing poverty in the local community. He came to 
Anniston in 1960 with a message that stressed the immediate importance 
of equality. In 1964, he hosted a mass meeting with Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr. and in 1967, his two children fully integrated Tenth St. 
Elementary. In 1972, he sued the Anniston City School Board and forced 
full integration of the school system. In 1976, he was elected the 
first black president of the Anniston City Board of Education. Through 
his historic efforts to integrate Anniston, Rev. Reynolds became a 
transformative figure. He would further solidify his place in history 
on September 15, 1963 when he walked up the steps of Anniston's 
Carnegie Library. His intent was simple yet complex during these 
turbulent times in southern states. Rev. Reynolds wanted simply to 
check out a book.
   Instead, he along with others were met with an angry mob that 
savagely beat Reynolds. The beating resulted in injuries that left him 
bedridden for days. However, because of his heroic efforts other 
clergymen returned to the library the day after his vicious attack and 
were successful in integrating the library. Ironically his beating 
occurred on the same day of the bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church 
in Birmingham, Alabama.
   Anniston City leaders mapped out plans to slowly integrate the city 
to prevent violent demonstrations similar to those that had occurred in 
neighboring areas. But for Rev. Reynolds, the pace was unacceptable. As 
a result, in 1964 he galvanized yet another movement. Under his 
leadership, local ministers placed a one page ad in the local paper 
that read ``We want our freedom and we want it now.'' The ad would be 
recorded in history books as the ``Anniston Manifesto.''
   He went on to serve in countless leadership roles at various 
organizations aimed at meeting the needs of those in poverty and 
advancing the cause of blacks in Alabama and across this Nation. Today 
we honor him for his role in the story of America. We also remember him 
as a catalyst for change. As the first black woman elected to congress 
from Alabama I am humbled to stand before the nation and share his 
story of strength and courage.
   Saying thank you to Rev. Reynolds seems woefully inadequate. But, we 
are truly grateful for the life of this extraordinary leader. On behalf 
of the 7th Congressional District, the State of Alabama and this 
nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy 
of Rev. Nimrod Q. Reynolds.

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