[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E215-E216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DERRICK LAMAR RICHARDSON



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  February 26, 2020, on page E215, the following appeared: 
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACEY OF DERRICK LAMAR RICHARDSON
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: HONORING THE LIFE 
AND LEGACY OF DERRICK LAMAR RICHARDSON


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                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2020

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Derrick Lamar Richardson, an intelligent, kind, hard-working man of 
faith and determination, who passed away on February 14, 2020. Derrick 
joined our staff as district press secretary for Alabama's 7th 
Congressional District in Janua1y of 2016 and served his home district 
with distinction until August of 2017.
  Born on October 31, 1972 to Lovenia Richardson in Birmingham, 
Alabama, Derrick professed his love for Christ at an early age. For 
many years, Derrick attended Maple Grove Church of God with his 
grandmother, Ada Ford, and it was there that he was granted his deep 
and abiding faith. Throughout his life, Derrick's faith served as a 
foundational pillar of strength, guidance and wisdom, giving Derrick 
the courage to face whatever challenges crossed his path.
  Derrick received his education in the Birmingham City School System, 
attending Hillman Elementary School and matriculating from Parker High 
School in 1991. As a high school student, Derrick was an active 
participant in the Marching Thundering Herd Band, where he played the 
tuba.
  During his junior year at Parker High School, Derrick's devotion to 
his country compelled him to enlist in the Army National Guard and 
Reserves. Before his senior year of high school, Derrick attended boot 
camp at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama, and upon graduation, went 
on to attend the Army Communications School at Fort Gordon in Augusta, 
Georgia. During his military service, Derrick served as a Legal Support 
Specialist in the 167th COSCOM (Headquarters Co.): JAG Corp. in Ft. 
Clayton, Panama, the 81st Regional Support Command: JAG Corp. in 
Homewood, Alabama and the 131st Signal Battalion (Headquarters Co.): 
Signal Corp. in Birmingham, Alabama. Derrick received two Meritorious 
Service Citations for Outstanding Performance and an honorable 
discharge.
  After his military service in 1995, Derrick enrolled at Jacksonville 
State University, where he soon became involved in the Student 
Government Association and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. At 
Jacksonville State University, Derrick became a member of his beloved 
fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a brotherhood and network 
that would serve him as an invaluable support system for many years to 
come. At Jacksonville State University, Derrick also had an opportunity 
to pursue his passion for politics. In 1999, he graduated with a 
bachelor's degree in political science; and after graduation went on to 
attend Long Island University, where he graduated Cum Laude with a 
master's degree in Urban Policy.

[[Page E216]]

  Professionally, Derrick continued to pursue his passion for politics, 
working up and down the east coast, from Alabama to Maryland to New 
York to Washington, D.C. He worked across the political spectrum, for 
campaigns, as a lobbyist and in this Congressional office. Derrick's 
impressive resume includes: co-founding the lobbying firm Epps, 
Richardson and Associates; serving as the first African American 
Director of Public Policy for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce; 
serving as the Senior Director for State and Regional affairs for the 
Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C.; serving as the 
Legislative Budget Director for the New York City Council; serving as 
the Director of Domestic Policy for the Lutheran Church in America; and 
serving as the Manager of Government Relations for Van Scoyoc 
Associates in Washington, D.C.
  Derrick joined our office in 2016 and served as District Press 
Secretary, devoting his considerable talents to addressing the 
challenges faced by Alabama's 7th Congressional District of Alabama, 
including unemployment, career and college readiness, economic 
viability and civil rights.
  Derrick then became the inaugural Executive Director of the Alabama 
Alliance of the Boys and Girls Club. There, he brought his same fierce 
commitment to justice and equal opportunity, lending his ample 
professional experience to expanding and uplifting the work of the Boys 
and Girls Club.
  Over the years, Derrick's many accomplishments have been recognized 
with numerous awards, including: The Veteran of Influence Award from 
the Birmingham Business Journal; the Maryland Gubernatorial 
Proclamation for Outstanding Public Service; and the Alabama 
Legislative Black Caucus Award for Trailblazer and Successful Lobbyist.
  Derrick leaves behind his mother, Lovenia Hart, his wife, State 
Representative Merika Coleman; his children, Jonathan, Dara Elisa, 
Elexia and Xaviar; his brothers, Everett Howard and Gerald (Grace) 
Richardson; a very devoted cousin/little brother, Tionne Birdsong; 
three nieces; two nephews; one very devoted sister/cousin, Barbara 
Birdsong; and a host of cousins, friends, frat brothers and church 
family. On a personal note, Derrick was a beloved member of our 
congressional staff. I was honored that Derrick joined us on our 
journey to move Alabama's 7th District forward. He was an outstanding 
press secretary who used his talents and strong work ethic to 
passionately advocate for the people of his home district. I am forever 
grateful that Derrick played such a special role in our journey. We 
will certainly miss his kindness, his gentle spirit, his sharp wit and 
his compassionate heart; but we know that Derrick's legacy will live on 
through the many lives he has impacted. May we honor Derrick's life by 
recommitting ourselves to the causes he cared about and the community 
he loved so much. Rest in peace, Derrick. Always Team Sewell.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I 
ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the exemplary 
life of Derrick Lamar Richardson, a true servant leader who led by 
example.

                          ____________________