[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING SEYMOUR BRYSON

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, basketball brought Seymour Bryson to the 
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1955. He had a record-
setting career at the school, winning most valuable player all 4 years, 
setting a then-school record in scoring and holding the school's record 
for rebounds, which stands to this day. As remarkable as his basketball 
career was, Seymour went on to make his mark with more than four 
decades of work making SIU a better place.
  Seymour was a three-degree alumnus of SIU, earning a bachelor's 
degree in social work in 1959, a master's degree in rehabilitation 
counseling in 1961, and a doctorate in educational psychology in 1972. 
At the time, he was one of three African Americans to progress from 
assistant professor to full professor at SIU, first African-American 
associate dean of a college, and the second of three African-American 
deans.
  Generations of all ages could come to Seymour for advice. It was that 
kind of trust that earned him leadership roles throughout the 
community. He was active in a variety of roles, including president of 
the Carbondale chapter of the NAACP, member and chair of the 
Diversifying Faculty Initiative, president of the Jackson County 708 
Mental Health Board, and president and member of the board of directors 
of the Carbondale United Way.
  Seymour received numerous awards throughout his life, including the 
Senator Emil Jones Mentoring Award, the Introspect Access Award, the 
Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Committee on Black 
Concerns in Higher Education, and the 2019 SIU Distinguished Alumni 
Award for his humanitarian impact.
  His family was never far from his heart. He loved time with his 
grandchildren. They had wonderful trips to Dairy Queen and seeing 
movies together. They got their love of reading through him and their 
trips to bookstores. He captured much of these moments in film as an 
amateur photographer.
  Seymour helped define what it meant to be a Saluki in his career and 
life. He passed away on May 5, we remember him for his service to his 
community.
  Seymour is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Marjorie Bryson; 
son, Todd Bryson; daughters, Robin Bryson and Keri and her husband 
Stephen Burns; grandchildren, Jordan Bryson, Keric Young, Kendall 
Young, Adrian Bryson, Francesca Sanchez, Fernando Sanchez, and Isaiah 
Burns; sisters, Susie Barnes and Janice Bryson Carol and her husband 
Paul Henry of Carbondale, and brother, Raymond and his wife Cynthia 
Bryson; and a host of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

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