[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 181 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H9528]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING HANK SANDERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Alabama (Ms. Sewell) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life and amazing career of Alabama State Senator Hank 
Sanders, also known as The Rock.
  For the past 35 years, State Senator Sanders has been a powerful 
voice in the Alabama Legislature, ably representing the 23rd District 
since 1983. He was the longest serving chair of the Senate Finance and 
Taxation Committee from 1996 and served for four consecutive terms 
until Republicans took over the statehouse in 2010.
  Senator Sanders is a lawyer; a statesman; a native of my hometown of 
Selma, Alabama; and a true Renaissance man. Along with his numerous 
legislative accomplishments, Senator Sanders has also penned more than 
1,600 newspaper articles and columns known as Senate Sketches as a way 
of communicating directly with his constituents.
  Senator Sanders' years of service to the State of Alabama and to the 
Alabama Legislature will be missed. For you see, Mr. Speaker, after 35 
years, this lion of the Alabama Senate is retiring. Choosing not to run 
in 2018, he will be ably replaced by his daughter, who recently won 
that election.
  Unlike many who found themselves in positions of power, Senator 
Sanders did not come from a privileged background. Senator Sanders came 
from humble beginnings, 1 of 13 children born to Sam and Ola Mae 
Sanders in Baldwin County, Alabama.
  Growing up, Senator Sanders said what his family lacked in money, 
they more than made up for in love and support. The Sanders family 
provided constant encouragement for their children, pushing each of 
them to further their dreams through education.
  At the age of 12, Senator Sanders was inspired to become a lawyer 
after reading an article about Thurgood Marshall. Following his 
graduation from Douglasville High School, Senator Sanders began 
pursuing his legal career, graduating near the top of his class at 
Talladega College.
  After earning his bachelor's degree, Senator Sanders went on to 
enroll and graduate from Harvard Law School. He attended Harvard Law 
School in the 1970s on a Felix Frankfurter Scholarship, an award for 
underprivileged students who showed exceptional promise. During his 
time at Harvard Law School, he was president of the Harvard Black Law 
Students Association.

  It was during law school that he found his life mate, his beloved 
wife, Faya Ora Rose Toure, formerly known as Rose M. Sanders. After 
graduating, Senator Sanders and his wife moved back to Selma, Alabama, 
my hometown.
  Their decision to go to Selma was one that was made because they knew 
how important it was to do things in the Black Belt, saying they grew 
up to love and cherish the city, which provided an opportunity to build 
both of their careers and raise their family.
  They started a very productive law firm by the name of Chestnut, 
Sanders, and Sanders.
  During their 41 years together, they produced six beautiful children 
and nine grandchildren.
  In 1971, Senator Sanders founded the law firm of Chestnut, Sanders, 
Sanders, and Pettaway, which was one of the top African American-owned 
law firms in the State of Alabama, as well as one of the largest in the 
country.
  Senator Sanders dedicated his life to making sure he pursued justice 
on behalf of the underserved. He gave a voice to the voiceless, and he 
still works tirelessly today.
  In 1982, Senator Sanders decided to pursue his passion for helping 
others on a State-wide level, winning a seat in the Alabama State 
Senate for the 23rd District. During his 35 years representing the 
largest political region in Alabama, Senator Sanders won seven bids for 
reelection.
  Senator Sanders has proudly championed issues such as childhood 
education and nutrition, healthcare, women's issues, and removing the 
sales tax for food. He served as chair of the Finance and Taxation 
Education Committee, and he was voted Outstanding Legislator by the 
Alabama Legislative Black Caucus.

                              {time}  1015

  Senator Sanders was voted a finalist for the Legislator of the Year 
Award by his fellow Senators. He has numerous awards to his credit.
  On a personal note, Senator Sanders was my State senator for those 35 
years representing my hometown of Selma. He is a legal and political 
giant in our community, and I join with our community this weekend in 
acknowledging his 35 years of service to the State of Alabama and to 
this Nation.
  He is truly a renaissance man. He has a brilliant legal mind, and not 
only is he politically astute, but he is also a family man who begins 
every day with prayer and meditation. I think it is so important for 
those young folks who come behind us that we know and respect and honor 
Senator Sanders.
  It is with great honor, Mr. Speaker, that I ask my colleagues to join 
me in acknowledging the lion of the Alabama State Senate, a man who has 
left an indelible imprint on the lives of so many in the Black Belt of 
Alabama, a community that he has represented for more than 35 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the 
accomplishments of State Senator Hank Sanders. He has served his 
constituents well, and his contributions to the State of Alabama and to 
this Nation will shape the political and social landscape of this great 
Nation for years to come.

                          ____________________