[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 139 (Tuesday, August 21, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF NEW ORLEANS ATTORNEY KENNETH CARTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 21, 2018

  Mr. RICHMOND. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of New 
Orleans Attorney Kenneth Carter, the first African American tax 
assessor in New Orleans, who died on August 3, 2018 at the age of 74.
  A native of New Orleans, Mr. Carter grew up in the Calliope public 
housing development, also known as B.W. Cooper apartments.
  Mr. Carter, the father of Louisiana State Senator and state 
Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Carter Peterson, was elected to the 
powerful post of tax assessor for the 1st Municipal District assessor's 
job in 1985 and served until 1994. This district contains the Central 
Business District and much of the city's most valuable real estate.
  Mr. Carter attended Xavier Prep in New Orleans, received a B.A. 
degree in political science from the University of New Orleans (UNO) in 
1976, and a J.D. degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of 
Law in 1978. He was a leader in the political organization BOLD. Mr. 
Carter's other leadership roles included a period as head of the New 
Orleans' Alcoholic Beverage Control Board and president of the Freret 
Street Development Corporation. In 1994, Mr. Carter ran unsuccessfully 
for Mayor of New Orleans.
  Mr. Carter was also one of the attorneys involved in a Louisiana 
lawsuit against tobacco companies. He represented the plaintiffs and 
helped secure smoking cessation programs for people in Louisiana.
  Mr. Carter played basketball at Xavier Prep in New Orleans. In 1962, 
one-year before the 1963 March on Washington, Mr. Carter also made 
history by being one of the first four African-Americans to integrate 
Loyola University's undergraduate program but could not join the 
basketball team because other colleges would boycott games rather than 
play against any African American players. The outright hostility shown 
by others, and ultimately not being allowed to play, caused Mr. Carter 
to give up his scholarship. It would take Mr. Carter a decade to return 
to college, the University of New Orleans, and ultimately back to 
Loyola for law school.
  Mr. Carter and his wife Gigi celebrated 50 years of marriage in May 
of 2015. His daughter, Senator Peterson, and other state senators 
presented the couple with a resolution honoring their golden 
anniversary.
  Mr. Kenneth Carter was a man of many firsts and deep conviction. He 
blazed trails as the first African American elected Assessor in the 
city and the first African American President of the Louisiana Trial 
Lawyers Association. He believed in the power of civic engagement and 
worked hard to ensure government reflected the diversity of the 
citizenry. Additionally, he took the time to mentor young men and women 
who sought to make their mark in politics and business. While he is no 
longer with us, his legacy lives on. New Orleans is a better place 
because of his efforts. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Mr. 
Carter, 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. Kenneth Carter is survived by his wife, Gigi; three daughters, 
Tara Hernandez, Karen Carter Peterson and Eileen Carter; and three 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Kenneth Carter.

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