[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REP. DEMETRIUS NEWTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2013

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to the life and legacy of Alabama State Representative and 
Civil Rights Attorney Demetrius Newton, a beloved Alabamian remembered 
for his remarkable display of leadership and civil rights activism.
   Rep. Newton passed away on Wednesday, September 11 at the age of 85. 
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 Civil Rights Movement and the State of Alabama.
   Rep. Newton was born on March 15, 1928 in Fairfield, Alabama. In 
1949, he received a degree from Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, 
Ohio. Rep. Newton received a law degree from Boston University in 1952. 
But while Rep. Newton understood the power of education, he is most 
remembered for his lifelong commitment to justice and Civil Rights.
   Upon receiving his law degree from Boston University in 1952, Rep. 
Newton served in the United States Army. Following his time in the 
military, he returned to Birmingham, Alabama where he fought 
segregationist laws in courtrooms across the state as a private 
practice attorney.
   In 1986, Rep. Newton was elected to the Alabama House of 
Representatives, representing District 53, Jefferson County. He held 
this position for 27 years until his death. From 1998 to 2010, Rep. 
Newton served as Alabama's first black speaker pro tempore. Rep. Newton 
worked as a judge for the city of Brownville, Alabama from 1972-1978 
and served as Birmingham's City Attorney from 1991-1999. He was also a 
law professor at Miles College.
   Rep. Newton paved the way for many black lawyers and elected 
officials across the State of Alabama. As an attorney, he played an 
instrumental role in the Civil Rights Movement representing icons such 
as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. As a black attorney in 
segregated Alabama, Rep. Newton faced many struggles fighting court 
battles before all white judges and juries. He courageously dedicated 
his career to strengthening the rights for blacks in Alabama's 
courtrooms at a time when it wasn't safe to do so.
   Rep. Newton was instrumental in fighting for the inclusion of blacks 
on juries in Bessemer, Birmingham and Etowah County. On behalf of his 
friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Rep. Newton was involved in a legal 
battle for the rights of those who marched in the 1965 Selma to 
Montgomery marches.
   Rep. Newton filed many lawsuits throughout his career challenging 
segregation in public places, specifically interstate and intrastate 
travel. Rep. Newton is responsible for filing the first fair employment 
case, McKinstry v. U.S. Steel, under Title VII of the 1964 Voring 
Rights Act.
   Until his death, Rep. Newton took his role as an Alabama state 
legislator very seriously. He was an outspoken opponent of the 1901 
Alabama Constitution. Throughout his legislative career, he introduced 
legislation calling for a constitutional convention to rewrite the 
outdated document. Rep. Newton remained committed to his cause and 
continued to introduce amendments to the legislation throughout his 
legislative career.
   As a veteran of the Alabama State House of Representatives, Rep. 
Newton gained the respect of his colleagues from both sides of the 
aisle. When the Republicans gained control of the State Legislature in 
2010, they reserved his seat on the front row although it is 
traditionally reserved for the majority's leadership. His Republican 
colleagues have noted that when Rep. Newton walked to the podium to 
speak, members from both parties would pause their otherwise 
uninterrupted conversations and direct their attention to the podium. 
His presence and his legacy demanded respect.
   Rep. Newton has been described by his colleagues in the legislature 
as a fine gentleman, a true statesman, and a scholar who was ``always 
prepared and always articulate.''
   His instrumental role in the Civil Rights Movement and his 27 years 
of service in the Alabama Legislature has made an indelible mark on the 
State of Alabama. Today we honor him for his role in the story of 
Alabama. As the first black woman elected to congress from Alabama I am 
humbled to stand before the nation and share his story of strength, 
compassion and courage.
   Saying thank you to Rep. Newton seems woefully inadequate. But, we 
are truly grateful for the life of this extraordinary public servant. 
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 Rep. Demetrius Newton.

                          ____________________