[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 191 (Friday, November 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF LONNIE MCKISSIC, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 17, 2023

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr Speaker, today I pay tribute to the life of a mid-
Michigan icon who was a builder in every sense of the word. Lonnie 
McKissic, Sr. passed away on November 3, 2023, but the legacy he worked 
so hard to construct in his 88 years on this planet--physically, 
emotionally, and spiritually--lives on in this community and in the 
many lives he touched.
  Lonnie was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in 1935, the son of 
Robert and Myrtle McKissic, and his early years were by no means easy. 
His father passed away when he was just a toddler, and Lonnie was only 
able to attend school through the third grade. Though still a child, he 
was sent to work in the cotton fields, and later at a mill yard, to 
help support the family. He was just 16 years old when he married the 
love of his life, Odell, and shortly after the two made the move north 
to Lansing, Michigan.
  When Lonnie picked up his first construction job at age 18 in 
Lansing, he likely didn't know he was laying the foundation for his 
future. After years of hard work and learning the ins and outs of the 
industry, in 1969 he was ready to make a go on his own and launched the 
family business: McKissic and Sons Construction. Not only did the 
company break ground on numerous homes, churches, and well-known 
Lansing-area buildings, Lonnie broke barriers by becoming one of the 
first Black contractors in the region.
  Over the years he also built a large and loving family, raising six 
sons, three daughters, and ten grandchildren, and prided himself on 
passing the trade to younger generations. Today, the construction 
company continues with his son Michael at the helm. In addition, 
Michael shares his father's lessons with the community through his non-
profit, which teaches construction skills to young people in an effort 
to provide a meaningful path for the future that can help turn the tide 
of violence in the Lansing area.
  A man of profound faith, Lonnie was deeply involved with Mt. Zion All 
Nations Church, where his 69 years of devotion earned him the title of 
longest-serving member. During that time, he held various other titles, 
including Chairman of the Board, Deacon, Vice-Chair of the Executive 
Council, Elder, and choir member. He mentored hundreds of young people 
over the years, and was known as a spiritual father to many.
  In everything he did, Lonnie McKissic used his hands, his heart, and 
his life to build up the community. Brick by brick, word by word, 
lesson by lesson, he laid out a blueprint for what it means to be a 
servant leader, and constructed his life on a bedrock of faith, family, 
and hard work. I send my condolences to his family, and ask that we now 
dedicate ourselves to building upon his memory, which will live on in 
Lansing.

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