[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H5490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ELTON DEAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Alabama (Ms. Sewell) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life 
and legacy of Montgomery County Commissioner Elton Dean, who passed 
away at the age of 72 on June 7, 2022.
  A native of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District, Chairman Dean 
graduated from Montgomery's own George Washington Carver High School 
before attending Selma University, where he received his associate's 
degree.
  Returning to Montgomery, Chairman Dean pursued his bachelor of 
science at the Alabama State University, where he graduated in 1971 
with a degree in business and economics.
  Chairman Dean went on to become a successful businessman, putting to 
work his entrepreneurial spirit to serve and improve his community as 
owner of Dean Realty as well as 21st Century Hair Studio.
  In November 2000, Chairman Dean was first elected to the Montgomery 
County Commission, where he humbly and faithfully served the Second 
District for over 20 years. Dean was elected vice chairman in November 
2004 before making history in March 2009 as the first African American 
to serve as chair of the Montgomery County Commission. Montgomery 
County includes the historic city of Montgomery, Alabama.
  Known as a dedicated public servant and passionate community leader, 
Chairman Dean's legacy lives on in the countless projects and 
initiatives that came into fruition under his leadership, including the 
implementation of Montgomery County's back-to-school sales tax holiday.
  Chairman Dean is also known for bringing the commission meetings to 
the people by holding his ``On the Road'' initiative, which allowed 
constituents to meet directly with their representatives.
  Chairman Dean worked tirelessly to improve Montgomery County's 
economic well-being. Among his most notable achievements, he oversaw 
the implementation of the 1 percent sales tax in 2001, which generated 
over $428 million for public education in Montgomery County, delivering 
critically needed resources to the children of our community.
  Chairman Dean never missed an opportunity to give back. Throughout 
his adult life, he held countless positions, including serving on 
boards and organizations throughout Montgomery County, which included 
as executive board member of the South Central Alabama Boys and Girls 
Club as well as board member for the Montgomery Improvement 
Association, board member for the Central Alabama Community Foundation, 
and chairman of the trustee board and mass choir member of Mt. Zion 
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He was commissioner of the 
Central Alabama Amateur Baseball League and commissioner of the 
Southern League Dixie Youth Baseball.

  A very strong advocate for his alma mater, Chairman Dean returned to 
the Alabama State University later in life to serve as chairman of the 
board of trustees for the Alabama State University. In this role, he 
served for 9 years and generated $525 million worth of campus 
improvement.
  In his role as chairman of the board of trustees for Alabama State 
University, I got to know Chairman Dean because he gave me, as a young 
bond lawyer, the opportunity to represent my parents' alma mater, the 
Alabama State University.
  It was Chairman Dean who encouraged me to run for Congress, and for 
his mentorship and his friendship, I am forever grateful.
  Chairman Dean rightfully received numerous awards throughout the 
community: the Pioneer Award by The Montgomery Tuskegee Times; the 
Montgomery County Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Award in 2012; 
the Citizen of the Year Award by the Sigma Phi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi 
Fraternity in 2004; the Citizen of the Year Award by Kappa Alpha Psi 
Fraternity, Montgomery's Alumni Chapter; as well as the Kershaw YMCA 
Man of the Year.
  Chairman Dean was a true public servant and a servant leader. Though 
I know so many of us are heartbroken by his passing, I am eternally 
grateful for our partnership on behalf of the citizens of Montgomery 
County, Alabama, and blessed to have been guided by his mentorship as 
well as his friendship over the years.
  May his family find comfort in knowing that Elton Dean's legacy will 
live on in the hearts of all those he impacted. As we mourn his 
passing, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
extraordinary life and legacy of Montgomery County Commission Chairman 
Elton Dean.

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