[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO KING DAVID HOLMES, SR.

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the late 
King David Holmes, Sr., a life-long resident and civil rights leader 
from the city of Waterbury, CT.
  ``King David,'' as he was affectionately known, was born and raised 
in Waterbury. After graduating from Crosby High School in 1940, he 
served in the Army during World War II. Returning to Waterbury after 
his tour of duty, King David worked at Scoville Manufacturing for 30 
years, retiring as a shop foreman. He also spent 11 years working for 
the former Connecticut Department of Human Resources, now known as the 
Department of Social Services.
  As the civil rights movement came to its own in the late 1950s and 
early 1960s, King David quickly became a local leader in advocating the 
needs of Waterbury's African-American community. He organized marches 
and protests against businesses and schools in the city practicing 
discrimination. He also founded the Waterbury Black Democratic Club and 
chaired New Opportunities for Waterbury, Inc., which successfully 
financed the construction of new housing for low-income individuals and 
families in North Square.
  As a member of the Waterbury Democratic Town Committee, King David 
sought to organize the city's African-American community politically. 
He strongly promoted local and State African-American political leaders 
and worked on the Senatorial campaigns of Abraham Ribicoff and my 
father, Thomas Dodd, both of whom fully supported equal rights. In this 
regard, I am pleased to say that my family has greatly cherished the 
friendship and support of this fine man and his family.
  King David was known for his open mind and willingness to work with 
all people for a better Waterbury and a better America. He will be 
sadly missed. But his social and political contributions will have a 
lasting impact for many years to come.
  King David was predeceased by his daughter, Muriel. He is survived by 
three children, Patricia, Maria, and King David, Jr., by Erlynde Holmes 
DePina, and by ten grandchildren.

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