[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 201 (Monday, November 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1074-E1075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND SERVICE OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE 
                              ALVIN HOLMES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 30, 2020

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life and legacy of long-serving Alabama State 
Representative Alvin Holmes of Montgomery. Rep. Holmes dutifully served 
as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for 44 years. Rep. 
Holmes passed away at home at the age of 81. Rep. Holmes was a 
dedicated public servant and community leader. Rep. Holmes led with 
dignity and a strong sense of justice throughout his career. He is 
remembered by colleagues and the community as an individual who knew 
and acted on what was right, no matter the challenge. He is survived by 
his daughter, Veronica Holmes.
  Born in Montgomery on October 26, 1939 to John H. Holmes and Willie 
Ann Holmes, he was born and raised in Montgomery, AL. Rep. Holmes 
attended Rochester Business Institute, Alabama State University, 
Atlanta University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of 
Alabama, and Jones School of Law. He held a Bachelor of Science degree, 
Master of Education degree, Master of Arts degree, and a Doctor of Law 
degree. Rep. Holmes marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a 
student and fought for the equal treatment of all Americans in every 
role he served.
  Rep. Holmes was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, the 
NAACP, Montgomery Improvement Association, a member of the State 
Democratic Executive Committee, and was a member of the Hutchinson 
Missionary Baptist Church.
  After graduating from Alabama State University, Rep. Holmes was an 
Alabama delegate to the historic 1968 Democratic National Convention. 
He was a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where 
he helped lead civil rights demonstrations in between his studies. Rep. 
Holmes served once more as an Alabama delegate to the 1996 Democratic 
National Convention.
  In 1974, Alvin Holmes was elected to the Alabama House of 
Representatives. During the four decades of his service, Rep. Holmes 
gave a voice to the voiceless--a champion for equal rights and justice 
for all citizens. He led multiple efforts to deconstruct the remnants 
of segregation and to remove racist language from the State 
Constitution. One of his proudest accomplishments was establishing 
Martin Luther King Day as a state holiday and encouraging the hiring of 
African Americans for professional position at the Alabama Legislature. 
Rep. Holmes spearheaded the annual parade that is held on the Martin 
Luther King Jr. holiday.
  In 1993, Rep. Holmes successfully led the effort to remove the 
confederate flag from Alabama's State Capitol building. In addition, he 
sponsored a constitutional amendment to remove an interracial marriage 
ban from the Alabama Constitution and fought for years to

[[Page E1075]]

have sexual orientation included in the state hate crime statute.
  Throughout his career, Rep. Holmes was known to extend his passion 
for justice by ensuring tax dollars were spent wisely to best serve the 
people of Montgomery. Rep. Holmes always fought for what was right, a 
sharp critic and voice of truth in the Alabama Legislature. Rep. Holmes 
was a rigorous interrogator, often highlighting flaws or unintended 
consequences in bills and other official actions. During his time on 
the Contract Review Committee, which oversees state government 
contracts, Rep. Holmes was a watchful eye of government spending.
  On a personal note, State Representative Alvin Holmes stood as a 
towering giant of what was possible as a black Alabamian. For over 
forty years, his very presence in the Alabama State legislature was a 
guiding example to boys and girls, like me, that African Americans 
could get elected and succeed in politics. He was unapologetic about 
his race and always profound in his rejection of racism and 
discrimination. He taught us to fight for what we believe in and be 
willing to stand alone in our convictions. Rep. Holmes paved the way 
for so many of us to be in positions of power today. I know that I 
would not be Alabama's first black Congresswoman, if not for his 
tireless efforts to promote fairness and equity for all in Alabama. The 
legacy of Rep. Holmes will live on in hearts and minds of all those he 
touched and for future generations of Alabamians.
  On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and service 
of Alabama State Representative Alvin Holmes and his incredible 
contributions to the Civil Rights movement, Alabama Legislature and the 
community of Montgomery.

                          ____________________