[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 169 (Thursday, October 19, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1387-E1388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING ALPHONSO ``AL'' DEAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DWIGHT EVANS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2017

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated and 
courageous man from North Philadelphia, Alphonso ``Al'' Deal, a retired 
Philadelphia Police Officer and former Philadelphia State 
Representative.
   Al was born in Watertown, Florida. From 1941 to 1945, he served in 
the U.S. Army for four years as a Military Policeman, where he actively 
led protests against segregation. As an honorable discharge, he settled 
in Philadelphia and secured employment at the Edward G. Budd Company. 
While there, he was appointed chairman of the union's first Fair 
Employment Anti-discrimination Committee and Chairman of the Education 
Committee.
   In 1954, Al became a Philadelphia Police Officer where he dedicated 
his career and life to improving the lives of others. Specifically, he 
aimed to end unfair police tactics and brutality. To do so, he 
organized the Guardian Civic League to better relations and 
understanding between the police and community. Under his leadership 
the Guardian Civic sponsored various programs such as food baskets for 
the needy during Christmas and Thanksgiving, sending underprivileged 
children to Summer Camp, serving as chaperones to teenage programs, 
supporting revised Fair Housing Legislation and cooperating with other 
Civic groups to further their efforts in general service to the 
community. Further, Al served as the first Black man to be assigned to 
the Labor Squad.

[[Page E1388]]

   In 1969, Al took a leave of absence train and raised $52,000 for the 
Fayette, Mississippi Police Department. The funds raised provided the 
Fayette Police Department with a much needed police car. Upon his 
return, in 1980, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of 
Representatives and served from 1981 to 1987.
   Al dedicated his life to improving the lives of African Americans 
and was an active member of the NAACP since 1948. He served on various 
committees, became vice-president, and finally President of the North 
Philadelphia ``Action'' branch. Approximately 200 awards from the 
National, State, and Community NAACP Branches have been presented to 
either Al individually or to the North Philadelphia ``Action'' Branch 
for outstanding achievement. Likewise, the National Black Police 
Association created a scholarship in honor of Al Deal. In addition to 
receiving numerous awards and honors, Al served on the Board of 
Trustees at Temple University.
   Although Al faced adversity, it served as a stepping stone to carry 
on his work of improving the lives of others. The 2nd Congressional 
District of Pennsylvania extends gratitude to Al ``The People's 
Champion'' for his dedicated support to the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania.

                          ____________________