[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 31, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND EXEMPLARY LEGACY OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE THAD C. 
                             McCLAMMY, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 31, 2021

  Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
legacy of Alabama State Representative, Thad McClammy, an exemplary 
community advocate, public servant, and former president of Trenholm 
State Community College who passed away at age 78 on August 21, 2021, 
of natural causes surrounded by family.
  Representative McClammy, one of three siblings, was born in Beatrice, 
Alabama, to Ukla and Thad C. McClammy, Sr. A graduate of Alabama State 
University, Rep. McClammy earned his Master of Science in Vocational 
and Adult Education from Auburn University at Montgomery. He also 
received an Honorary Doctorate of Law degree from Selma University.
  In 1981, prior to his career as an elected official, Rep. McClammy 
served as President of Trenholm State Technical College, now Trenholm 
Community College, for fourteen years. During his tenure, he 
conceptualized and successfully spearheaded a concerted effort by five 
two-year colleges in Alabama, including Trenholm, to receive 
Congressional delegation as Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities. By working to secure this designation, he made way for 
millions of dollars in federal funds year after year to Alabama. Under 
his leadership, Trenholm State became a catalyst for community 
revitalization, piloting a new Certification of Participation program 
to fund the construction of the college's library. After seeing its 
success, many other Alabama two-year colleges used this approach to 
finance new construction.
  Rep. McClammy served in the Alabama House of Representatives for 
nearly twenty-seven years, beginning his career as an elected official 
in 1994. Representing Alabama's 76th District, Rep. McClammy dutifully 
served his community using his position to further the economic 
development of both his district and the greater Montgomery area. 
Capitalizing on his position as a community leader, he was responsible 
for identifying the site and working with the landowners to get them to 
band together to make way for the construction of Hyundai's one-
billion-dollar plant in Montgomery despite other sites being further 
along in consideration. He conceptualized the Gateway Recreational Park 
site on I-65 in Montgomery, the initial Montgomery Enterprise Zone, and 
the I-65/Regional Airport Business Park in Montgomery. Continuously 
pushing for the expansion of U.S. 80 and 82, Rep. McClammy left his 
mark by working hand in hand with the local delegation and the 
community to secure the economic vitality of Alabama's 76th District.
  Continuing to address the needs of the community, Rep. McClammy 
helped recruit the Baptist Outreach Health Center, the University of 
Alabama at Birmingham Medical School branch campus site at Baptist 
South, advocated the correction of Cloverdale Ditch flood insurance 
problem, and successfully challenged the lack of minority 
representation in Montgomery. Forging symbiotic relationships among the 
business community, Rep. McClammy helped bolster economic development 
in Montgomery that led to over $70 million worth of construction 
projects in West Montgomery.
  Understanding the importance of historical preservation throughout 
his district, Rep. McClammy was a fierce supporter and advocate of 
Civil Rights preservation projects promoting the establishment of the 
Interpretive Center on the campus of Alabama State University to be 
managed by National Park Service, the planning and development of the 
Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights Trail and obtaining funding for the 
preservation of Mrs. Rosa Parks' childhood school to name a few. He 
also sponsored the bill leading to the passage of the Rosa Parks' Act 
that pardoned Mrs. Parks and hundreds of other convicted of violating 
laws aimed at keeping the races separate.
  As a dynamic community leader, Rep. McClammy also worked as a real 
estate broker and developer. His civil engagements include Omega Psi 
Phi Fraternity, Inc., the Cosmopolitan Civic Club, as a founder of the 
Montgomery Chamber of Commerce., and former deacon of The Historic Day 
Street Missionary Baptist Church.
  Rep. McClammy was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia A. 
McClammy, whom he married in 1966. Together they had two children, Thad 
Christopher McClammy III and Patrice McClammy. He is survived by his 
children and a host of other family members.
  On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and legacy 
of Representative Thad McClammy and his contributions to Alabama's 76th 
District and the Montgomery community.

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