[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 183 (Friday, November 15, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN HONOR OF THE EXTRAORDINARY LEGACY OF MALCOLM THOMAS

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                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 15, 2019

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
remarkable legacy of Malcolm Thomas, a selfless community servant and 
business leader, whose many contributions to the state of Alabama have 
served to uplift the state socially and economically. From his 
impressive career as CEO of his own engineering service firm, to his 
support for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), to 
his exemplary leadership as Exalted Ruler of R.E. Nelms Elk Lodge No. 
977, Malcolm Thomas has spent much of his life in the pursuit of 
success and excellence, not only for himself, but for the greater 
community.
  Born in Selma, Alabama to the late Reverend George Thomas and the 
late Mrs. Lovie Thomas, Malcolm Thomas was taught the importance of 
high-quality education from an early age. He attended college at 
Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, Alabama, where he earned his 
bachelor of science degree in business administration. It was during 
his time at Alabama A&M that two lifelong interests were sparked, in 
business and in the preservation and continued vitality of HBCUs.
  Founded in 1875 by a former slave, Dr. William Hooper Councill, 
Alabama A&M is a proud member of the HBCU system. As a student there, 
Mr. Thomas saw first-hand the importance of ensuring that A&M and other 
institutions like it, historically established for the African American 
community who had been barred entry to traditionally white 
institutions, be fully funded, providing students with top tier 
professors and facilities. Mr. Thomas' commitment to ensuring the 
continued vitality of HBCUs was recognized by Governor Riley, who asked 
Mr. Thomas to serve on the Governor's Commission on Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities between 2003 and 2008.
  After graduating from Alabama A&M, Mr. Thomas worked in several 
corporate positions before becoming the owner and CEO of Malcom Thomas 
Industries, a certified engineering services firm. Now semi-retired, 
Mr. Thomas has extensive expertise in marketing, negotiating and event 
planning. Today, he works part-time as an event planner, based in 
Huntsville, Alabama.
  A selfless community servant, Mr. Thomas boasts membership (past and 
present) to countless boards and charitable organizations, including 
the Huntsville Housing Authority Board of Appeals, the North Alabama 
Sickle Cell Board of Directors and the Vocational Education Advisory 
Council for Huntsville City Schools. He was formerly Chairman of the 
Engineering Technology Advisory Committee at Alabama A&M, a founding 
board member of the Alabama A&M University Foundation and a charter 
member of 100 Black Men of Huntsville. Politically active, Mr. Thomas 
served on the Executive Committee of the Madison County Republican 
Men's Club and on President George H.W. Bush's Personal Advisory 
Committee. Further, he claimed membership to the Black Americans for 
President George H.W. Bush Committee of 100.
  Mr. Thomas has been a member of the fraternal organization the 
Improved Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks since June 17, 1957. 
Mr. Thomas has held many positions within the organization, including 
serving as state photographer, Chairman of the State Nominating 
Committee, First Vice President of the Alabama Association of the 
Improved Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks of the World and 
ultimately State President. Mr. Thomas served as President for twelve 
years, during which time the organization introduced a state choir, the 
Past State President degree and a golf tournament. He has been further 
recognized as an Esteemed Lecturing Knight, a trustee and Exalted Ruler 
of R.E. Nelms Elks Lodge No. 977. His tenure as Exalted Ruler spanned 
1983 through 2008 and 2009 through 2019, during which time the Lodge 
gave money to the Boys and Girls Club, the Harris Home for Children and 
Homeless Persons and the Boy Scouts of America, in addition to 
providing scholarships for students at Alabama A&M. Mr. Thomas is also 
a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Theta Lambda 
Chapter.
  A man of steadfast faith, Mr. Thomas has been a dedicated member of 
Phillips Christian Methodist Episcopal Church where he serves as 
Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He is married to the love of his 
life, Dr. Mattie Daniels Thomas with whom he shares two children, three 
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
  On a personal note, I have known ``Uncle Malcolm'' all my life and 
count him as both a mentor and an extended part of my family. His 
business acumen and legendary leadership in the Elks has been an 
inspiration to us all. As a beloved mentor and political advisor, Uncle 
Malcolm ensures his legacy in investing in the hearts and minds of the 
next generation. I know that I would not be Alabama's first Black 
Congresswoman without the love, support and guidance of dear family 
friends like Uncle Malcolm and Auntie Mattie. As you prepare to succeed 
from your many years of service to the R.E. Nelms Elks Lodge No. 977, 
know that your work has strengthened the organization and set a high 
bar for others to follow.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life 
and great works of Mr. Malcolm Thomas that has left an indelible 
imprint on the Huntsville community and the State of Alabama

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