[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 116 (Thursday, July 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN MEMORY OF DR. WRIGHT L. LASSITER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2019

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
pay tribute to the distinguished life and legacy of Dr. Wright L. 
Lassiter, Jr., who passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019. Dr. Lassiter 
was known throughout the Dallas community for his wisdom as an 
educator, his leadership as a businessman, and his selflessness as a 
volunteer.
  Dr. Lassiter served in the higher education system for an impressive 
thirty-plus years. His positions included President of Schenectady 
County Community College, President of Bishop College, President of El 
Centro Community College, and most recently Chancellor of the Dallas 
County Community College District, the largest community college system 
in Texas. He was also a Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Leadership 
Studies and Management/Ethics at Dallas Baptist University, a Master 
Professor in the Educational Leadership Program at the University of 
Texas, and a Visiting Professor at Texas A&M University. Dr. Lassiter 
had a passion for higher education and made it a priority of his to 
ensure that underrepresented students had equal access to it.
  In addition to his career as an educator and administrator, Dr. 
Lassiter earned national recognition for his diversity and inclusion 
advocacy. He held presidential appointments to the White House 
Commission on Minority Business Development and the National Advisory 
Council to the National Endowment for the Humanities under Presidents 
George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, respectively. He also held an 
appointment from former Texas Governor Rick Perry to the Task Force to 
Develop the State Higher Education Plan.
  Dr. Lassiter was recognized for his work as the first African 
American recipient of the Russell Perry Distinguished Leadership Award 
by Dallas Baptist University, the Distinguished Service Award by the 
Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, and the Jubilee History--Maker 
Award. He also published thirteen books and collections of speeches and 
sermons.
  Outside of his professional life, Dr. Lassiter lent his free time to 
our community. He was a board member of the Dallas Salvation Army, 
United Way, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center 
Foundation, and the Dallas Housing Authority, to name a few. His 
contributions to the Dallas area are truly immeasurable, and his work 
will have a lasting-impact on our community.
  Dr. Lassiter is survived by his wife Demetria; son Wright Lassiter 
III; daughter Michele LassiterEwell; and two granddaughters, Ryan and 
Loren.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Dr. Lassiter and his 
contributions through public service, his dedication to his students, 
and his love for the Dallas community. We will miss him dearly.

                          ____________________