[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 30, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF FORMER INDIANA STATE REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM A. 
                                CRAWFORD

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. ANDRE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2015

  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a respected 
public servant and outstanding citizen, former Indiana State 
Representative, William A. Crawford.
  Maya Angelou once said, ``A great soul serves everyone all the time. 
A great soul never dies.'' Representative Crawford is one such great 
soul, who served humanity in a special way. He spent his entire life 
dedicated to public service, pushing a message of equality and justice 
during his 40 years in the Indiana General Assembly.
  On a personal note, Representative Crawford was a dear friend and 
mentor who I was privileged to know from a very young age. I have fond 
memories of getting to know `Bill' as he served alongside my 
grandmother during her time at the Statehouse. With Bill's passing, our 
state has lost a champion, our city has lost a leader, and I have lost 
a friend.
  Revered as the most influential African-American state lawmaker in 
Indiana's history, Representative Crawford made sure that African-
American Hoosiers had a voice in government. He was the first African-
American lawmaker to serve as chairman of the powerful and influential 
Indiana House Ways and Means Committee and was critical in starting the 
Indiana Black Legislative Caucus.
  Representative Crawford was destined to lead and when he spoke people 
listened. He was inspired to serve by the life and death of Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. He was present on April 4, 1968, and heard Senator 
Robert Kennedy's words at 17th and Broadway in Indianapolis announcing 
the death of Dr. King. Being there that night helped shape his career 
as an activist and led to his passionate work on behalf of the Kennedy/
King Memorial on that historic site. Among his accomplishments was 
increasing minority enrollment at Ivy Tech Community College and 
creating the Indiana Black Expo into the institution it is today.
  I extend my greatest sympathy to his wife Bernice, children Darren, 
Sr., Michael, Kim and Monica. I pray that God rests his soul and gives 
peace and comfort to his family and friends.

                          ____________________