[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E616-E617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. CYRUS MARTIN ``RUSS'' JOLLIVETTE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2018

  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mr. 
Cyrus Martin ``Russ'' Jollivette, a civic leader and former executive 
at Florida's Blue Cross and Blue Shield, who died on May 7, 2018 at the 
age of 71.
  Mr. Jollivette was born on August 5, 1946, in Miami, Florida, the son 
of Mr. Cyrus Martin and Mrs. Frances Edna (Reeves) Jollivette Chambers. 
Mr. Jollivette earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 
Management from C.W. Post College of Long Island University, a Master 
of Business Administration from Long Island University, and Juris 
Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law.
  Mr. Jollivette served in multiple senior-level positions at the 
University of Miami for 24 years, from 1977 to 2001, including as 
executive assistant to former University of Miami President Edward 
``Tad'' Foote. Prior to working at the University of Miami, Mr. 
Jollivette was managing editor from 1971 to 1977 of the Miami Times, a 
black-owned newspaper founded in 1923. In 2011, the National Newspaper 
Publishers Association recognized the paper as the top black newspaper 
in the country.
  After leaving the University of Miami, Mr. Jollivette served in 
several high-level capacities at insurance giant Blue Cross Blue Shield 
Florida, including as vice president, before opening his own public 
relations firm in 2014. While there, Mr. Jollivette develop a generous 
gift ,to University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies for 
scholarships for minority nursing students.
  Mr. Jollivette also served as a trustee at St. Thomas University and 
Jacksonville University, a board member of Catholic Charities of the 
Archdiocese of Miami, a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, was on the 
Jacksonville Host Committee for the 2005 Super Bowl, chairman of the 
United Way of Northeast Florida and Jackson Aviation Authority.

[[Page E617]]

  Mr. Jollivette lived an extraordinary life that cannot be 
categorized. His legacy will forever be a part of his hometown and his 
dedication to community embodies the spirit of public service. We 
cannot match the sacrifices made by Mr. Jollivette, but surely we can 
try to match his sense of service. We cannot match his courage, but we 
can strive to match his devotion.
  Mr. Jollivette's survivors include his daughter Lynn Jollivette 
Johns; two sisters Regina Jollivette Frazier and Cleo L. Jollivette, 
and two grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Cyrus ``Russ'' 
Jollivette.

                          ____________________