[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E103-E104]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING GEORGE SALLIE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2024

  Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life 
and legacy of George Sallie, who at 94 years old, was among the oldest 
living Foot Soldiers from Bloody Sunday and passed away on January 18, 
2024.
  Mr. Sallie was born on March 15, 1929, in Fostoria, Alabama, as the 
youngest of five children to the late Monroe and Mamie Sallie. He 
received his education in the segregated school system of Lowndes and 
Dallas Counties. At a young age, he learned to value hard work. Mr. 
Sallie was the son of sharecroppers and dropped out of school early to 
support his family. Despite leaving school, he never abandoned his 
``helmet of salvation.'' which was education.
  Mr. Sallie married Minnie Walker on October 4, 1952, and they enjoyed 
65 years of marriage. The Sallies built their union on biblical 
principles to nurture their love for God and desire for equality. 
George and Minnie were longtime members of the Freewill Christian 
Church in Selma, Alabama.
  The United States Army drafted Mr. Sallie two days after his wedding. 
He completed basic training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and did his first 
tour in South Korea with the 8th Infantry on February 26, 1953. Mr. 
Sallie experienced segregation in the military, and while in Korea, he 
realized that he was fighting for a freedom he did not have himself.
  After being discharged from the Army, Mr. Sallie returned home and 
fought for veterans to receive a fair and equal education. He and his 
wife, Minnie, championed educational cases for veterans and encouraged 
everyone in their community to pursue higher learning.
  In 1955, the Sallies moved to Selma, Alabama. They quickly became 
involved in the Civil Rights Movement, helping to raise funds to 
support a committee to travel to Washington. D.C., to assist Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. with the March on Washington.
  In 1966, Mr. Sallie pursued a career in electoral politics, running 
for a seat on the Dallas County School Board and then again in 1970, 
vying for a seat on the Dallas County Commission. Though he was 
unsuccessful in these elections, Mr. Sallie's life inspired future 
generations of African American leaders to engage in community activism 
and pursue elected office.
  Mr. Sallie was a distinguished community leader and a man of 
principles and high morale. He earned the title of a Foot Soldier on

[[Page E104]]

Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965. From that moment, he 
wore his ``Shoes of the Gospel of the Peace'' and never missed a 
commemorative march to return to the Edmund Pettus Bridge.
  Throughout his Life, Mr. Sallie received many awards and 
recognitions, including the distinguished member of the Civil Rights 
Foot Soldier's Hall of Fame at the National Voting Rights Museum; a 
plaque commemorating courage and bravery from the Dallas County 
Commission; and the Living Legend Award from the New Jersey Institute 
for Social Justice.
  Mr. Sallie is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of over 60 
years, Minnie Walker; and his siblings: Mason Gatrey, Jessie Brown, 
Rosie Sallie, and Johnnie Sallie. He is survived by his son, Darren 
Sallie; nineteen nieces and nephews: Mamie Thomas, Adam Gatrey, Ronnie 
Gatrey, Lawrence Gatrey, Andrew Gatrey, Gloria Gandy, Carlyon Gatrey, 
Richard Gatrey, Jackalyn Smith, Leon Gatrey, Mamie Calhoun, Minnie 
Brown, Betty Jones, Rosie Edwards, Lola Sallie. Lyndon Sallie, John 
Sallie, Eddie Sallie, and Sony Sallie; and a host of other family and 
friends.
  On a personal note, I got to know Mr. George Sallie because of his 
faithful participation in the annual Bridge Crossing Commemoration in 
Selma. Mr. Sallie never missed an opportunity to cross the Edmund 
Pettus Bridge with his fellow Foot Soldiers leading the way. His 
steadfast belief in the power of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights 
Movement serves as an inspiration for future generations. It is because 
of the courage, bravery, and strength of Foot Soldiers like George 
Sallie that we enjoy the freedoms we have today. His life is a 
testament to the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary 
social change. Last year, it was my great honor to walk with Mr. Sallie 
and President Biden on his final march across that bridge, and upon his 
passing, it was special to me to pay tribute to George Sallie on the 
floor of the House of Representatives. His legacy will live on with 
every vote cast. May he Rest in Power.
  On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy 
of Mr. George Sallie for his contributions to generations of civil 
rights leaders and decades of exemplary service to our nation in our 
fight for liberty, equality, and justice for all.

                          ____________________