[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 173 (Friday, October 20, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1003-E1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALVIN BENN, LONGTIME 
                     MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER REPORTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 20, 2023

  Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life and legacy of a talented journalist, truth seeker, 
and man of great integrity, former Montgomery Advertiser reporter Alvin 
Stanley Benn, who passed away on October 10, 2023, at the age of 83.
  Alvin Benn was born on April 25, 1940, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 
Upon graduating from Manheim Township High School in 1958, Alvin Benn 
enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Throughout his six years of 
service, Alvin Benn traveled the world after being stationed in Cherry 
Point, North Carolina, and Okinawa, Japan. While stationed in Japan, he 
pursued his passion for journalism, working for the Armed Forces Radio 
and Television Service. He continued his education in the United States 
at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, completing military 
journalism school.
  In 1964, Alvin Benn began what would be a lifechanging career 
chronicling the history of Alabama. He made his mark on journalism as a 
minted correspondent for the United Press International, covering the 
sweeping Civil Rights Movement. Interviewing the leading voices on each 
side, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Alabama Governor George 
C. Wallace, his holistic approach to reporting exposed the true story 
of the Civil Rights Movement, bringing the reality of the fight for 
rights and liberties to homes nationwide. For over two years, Alvin 
Benn led the United Press International's Birmingham Bureau, taking on 
multiple roles that supported the publication, including bureau chief, 
writer, editor, photographer, and producer. He contributed to 
newspapers across the Southeast, including the Decatur Daily in 
Decatur, Alabama from 1967 through 1974; the Natchez Democrat in 
Natchez, Mississippi; the Selma Times Journal in Selma, Alabama; and 
publications in Alexander City, Alabama; and Lafayette, Georgia, before 
settling in Selma, where he lived for over 40 years.
  During his time at the Natchez Democrat, Alvin Benn and the news 
staff received a nomination for the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. In 
1980, he joined the Montgomery Advertiser, where he would spend over 20 
years. In his 50-plus-year career, Alvin Benn produced over three to 
four stories per day before retiring in 2003. Retirement did not curb 
his desire to continue writing, nor did it decrease his readership. 
``Al Benn's Alabama'' continued to be a widely read column in the 
Montgomery Advertiser and served as the cherry on top of Alvin Benn's 
storied contributions to journalism. From interviewing United States 
presidents to writing a book titled ``Reporter: Covering the Civil 
Rights . . . . And Wrongs in Dixie,'' Alvin Benn is an Alabama gem 
whose

[[Page E1004]]

dedication to ``journalistic integrity'' continued to inspire us all.
  Alvin Benn is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, 
including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Press 
Association, the Communications Award from the Alabama Farmers 
Association, and the Distinguished Alabama Community Journalist award 
from the Auburn University Department of Journalism.
  Alvin Benn was a proud member of the Mishkan Israel Congregation in 
our hometown of Selma, Alabama, and the Temple Beth Or in Montgomery, 
Alabama.
  Alvin Benn is preceded in death by his wife of almost 60 years, 
Sharon Ann Boumel Benn. He is survived by their two children, Danielle 
Waters and Eric Benn; four grandchildren, Benjamin Waters, Scott 
Waters, Alexandria Benn, and Ilan Benn; son-in-law, Curtis Waters and 
daughter-in-law, Maria Benn; and a host of family and friends.
  On a personal note, I grew up right down the street from the Benn 
family. In fact, his son, Eric, was my siblings' best friend and my 
third little brother. Everywhere Andrew and Anthony went, Eric went 
too. They are best friends and truly brothers. The Sewells are blessed 
to have grown up with the Benns, and we remain good friends and family 
for a lifetime.
  Mr. Benn was an amazing journalist with a special talent for crafting 
his words into storytelling. He wrote the first article about my 
scholarship to Princeton University and subsequently, wrote about every 
major event in my life's journey, from joining the rowing crew at 
Oxford to getting elected Alabama's First Black Congresswoman. If 
anything happened in Selma or the Black Belt, Mr. Benn knew about it 
and reported on it. Spanning a career of decades, Mr. Benn told the 
history of Alabama's Black Belt--the events, the characters, and all 
the happenings. What a gift his writings will leave in the annuals of 
Alabama's history. His legacy will live on through the mini-stories and 
all the lives that he touched. Rest in peace and power.
  On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy 
of Alvin Stanley Benn for his contributions to journalism and decades 
of exemplary service to the State of Alabama.

                          ____________________