[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E399-E400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF REVEREND SAMSON ``SKIP'' ALEXANDER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CEDRIC L. RICHMOND

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 3, 2019

  Mr. RICHMOND. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of 
Reverend Samson ``Skip'' Alexander, a New Orleans pastor and civil 
rights leader who befriended and worked alongside Rev. Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr., photographed Dr. King's life and career and was 
present during some of the Civil Rights Era's pivotal moments. He 
passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at the age of 88.
  Rev. Alexander graduated from Gilbert Academy and Booker T. 
Washington High School in New Orleans. He earned a Master of Business 
Administration degree at Clinton University and a doctorate in theology 
at A.P. Clay Theological College. Rev. Alexander became an active 
minister in the 1970s and he preached at churches throughout the city. 
He was associate minister at Christian Unity Baptist Church. In 1957, 
Rev. Alexander attended the founding of the Southern Christian 
Leadership Conference in New Orleans. At a meeting at the New Zion 
Baptist Church in Central City, Dr. King was elected president of the 
group, which would go on to become one of the most important 
organizations in the civil rights movement.
  Rev. Alexander marched with Dr. King during many of the marches from 
Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, seeking voting rights for African-
Americans. During the marches in 1965, Rev. Alexander suffered a bump 
to the back of his head from a state trooper's baton.
  Rev. Alexander's friendship with Dr. King and his interest in 
photography led him to capture the civil rights icon's life and career 
on film. He also captured an iconic photo of King's widow, Coretta 
Scott King, sitting in the front row of her husband's 1968 memorial 
service, holding their daughter Bernice on her lap.
  In addition to his work with civil rights causes, Rev. Alexander was 
also a labor organizer and led striking workers in Memphis and New 
York. Also, he was involved in many 1960s New Orleans sit-ins and 
demonstrations seeking to integrate Canal Street lunch counters and 
department stores and efforts to desegregate the U.S. Custom House on 
Canal Street. As an Air Force veteran, he led the effort to desegregate 
an Air Force base near Denver, Colorado.
  Balancing his time with the civil rights movement, Rev. Alexander 
continued preaching well into his 80s. He also hosted a radio show on 
WBOK and was involved in politics as a member of the Orleans Parish 
Democratic Executive Committee.
  Rev. Alexander loved the city and the people of New Orleans. His 
legacy will forever be

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a part of the city and his dedication to community embodies the spirit 
of New Orleans. We cannot match the sacrifices made by Rev. Alexander, 
but surely, we can try to match his sense of service. We cannot match 
his courage, but we can strive to match his devotion.
  Rev. Alexander's survivors include a son, Jerome Alexander; three 
daughters, Gloria Irvin, Joanne and Jacqueline Alexander; six 
grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-
grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I celebrate the life and legacy of Reverend Samson 
``Skip'' Alexander.

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