[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 97 (Wednesday, June 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF NORCELL D. HAYWOOD

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 17, 2015

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the life and legacy of a dear friend, Mr. Norcell D. Haywood 
who passed away on Monday, June 15, 2015. Mr. Haywood and I had a 
friendship that spanned forty years. We were introduced by another of 
my good friends, the late Congressman Mickey Leland who made 
significant contributions during his service to our country.
  Norcell Haywood was a pioneer in his own right. He was among the 
first seven African American students to be admitted to the University 
of Texas at Austin in 1954, the period that preceded the protections 
guaranteed by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. He secured his spot by 
fighting against systematic discrimination and segregation. Despite the 
battle, he remained steadfast. He took on a gruesome 21-hour course 
load, fulfilled his obligations to the ROTC program and worked as a 
restaurant valet. His dedication and sacrifices paid off; he became the 
second African American to graduate from the University of Texas School 
of Architecture in 1960.
  Upon graduation, he served as a positive role model and instructor at 
Prairie View A&M University's school of Engineering. He later gained 
employment with the City of Austin's Planning Department. He also 
published a local Newspaper, ``The East Side Reporter,'' which 
distributed 20,000 papers weekly in the eastern section of San Antonio.
  In 1968, Norcell Haywood became the first licensed African-American 
Architect in San Antonio, Texas. He then founded a private architecture 
firm, Norcell D. Haywood & Associates (1968-71) and later in 1971, 
founded the firm of Haywood Jordan McCown SAT Inc. (``HJM''). He 
operated three offices throughout the state of Texas: San Antonio, 
Houston and Dallas. Under Norcell's leadership, HJM has been the 
recipient of the numerous prestigious Merit Design Awards. He received 
awards for his design of The University of Texas--Dallas's Student 
Union Center and numerous housing developments in Houston, Austin, 
Dallas and San Antonio areas, including the Texas Southern University 
Physical Education Building and Business Technology Building in 
Houston, Texas; Lincoln Magnet High School in Dallas, Texas; Alamo Dome 
Stadium and the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center both in San 
Antonio, Texas. He was the first African American to be appointed to 
the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and served as Vice Chairman 
of the Board.
  Mr. Haywood has received widespread acclaim for his exceptional 
accomplishments. He was chosen by President Clinton to serve as a 
delegate on the White House Sub-Committee on Small Business in 1995. 
Mr. Haywood is the recipient of the 1997 Bank of America--San Antonio, 
Black History Chronicles Trail Blazer Award and a 1997 Texas 
Legislative Black Caucus Outstanding Texans at Large Honoree.
  Mr. Haywood used his life experiences, especially those that molded 
his tenacity at the University of Texas to direct his professional 
pursuits and community involvement. His most passionate interests lie 
in early child training and development. He actively supported the 
YMCA, Boy's and Girl's Club of San Antonio and many other local youth 
organizations. He established the National Association of Minority 
Architecture to encourage and mentor young African-American architects 
and is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

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