[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING HARVEY T. LEWIS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2018

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor a great 
American, Mr. Harvey T. Lewis, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. 
Mr. Lewis has led a life of service to his country, to his community, 
and to others.
  Harvey T. Lewis was born on September 15, 1918 in Richmond, Virginia 
to Alberta Graves Lewis and John Edward Lewis. He is one of sixteen 
children raised by his parents. Mr. Lewis also had a twin sister, the 
late Evelyn Alberta Lewis. Mr. Lewis attended Armstrong High School in 
Richmond, Virginia. After his father' s passing, Mr. Lewis left school 
to work and help support the family.
  A true man of service, Mr. Lewis served his country in the United 
States Army Air Corps during World War II as a sergeant. He went on to 
hold various positions in the federal government. After 28 years of 
government service, Mr. Lewis retired as Special Assistant to the 
Secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce where he was a trusted 
aide.
  Mr. Lewis is known for his work ethic and entrepreneurial successes. 
He worked as a Pullman porter and was a member of the Brotherhood of 
the Sleeping Car Porters. He has owned and operated several businesses 
throughout his lifetime, including a neighborhood delicatessen in 
Prince George's County, Maryland and a cleaning service in Richmond, 
Virginia. Mr. Lewis was a cab driver in Washington, D.C. for many years 
and later became a licensed limousine driver. This led to the 
establishment of his limousine business, Limelighter Limousine Service. 
For 35 years, Mr. Lewis and his team provided limousine services to 
clients ranging from company executives to business owners to 
performing artists.
  In addition to his work, Mr. Lewis is a longtime civic leader. In the 
1960s, he was a civil rights advocate and used his familiarity as a 
professional driver in Washington, D.C. to provide scores of free rides 
to those attending the 1963 March on Washington. Rosa Parks requested 
Mr. Lewis as her driver to the United States Capitol for her 
Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony. Mr. Lewis truly believed in the 
value of being involved in our democracy. He was an active volunteer on 
numerous local, state, and presidential campaigns spanning from John F. 
Kennedy to Barack Obama. In 2008, at 89 years old, Mr. Lewis was one of 
the oldest active campaigners for Barack Obama. Upon meeting President 
Obama in 2012, just days after his 94th birthday, he was still an 
active campaigner.
  The most important thing to Mr. Lewis has always been his family. He 
is married to his wife of ten years, the former Linda Ivey. He has one 
daughter Dr. Freda C. Lewis-Hall son-in-law Dr. Emerson R. Hall, Jr. 
three grandchildren Erin, Justin, and Austin and two great-
grandchildren Michael, II and Emerson.
  Mr. Lewis has been recognized for his outstanding service throughout 
his lifetime however, those who know him simply refer to him as ``a 
good man.'' To some, Mr. Lewis is a dedicated member of his community, 
to others, a hardworking businessman. To his friends and family, Harvey 
T. Lewis is a man of faith and a devoted family man.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and 
celebrating Mr. Harvey T. Lewis on his 100th birthday. May God continue 
to bless him and his family.

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