[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20112]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DORIS DOZIER CRENSHAW

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2015

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary contributions of lifelong civil rights activist and 
public servant Doris Dozier Crenshaw. For more than 60 years, she has 
been on the frontlines in the fight for equality and human rights for 
all. Today, we salute this Alabama native for her commitment to serving 
this nation.
  Her journey began in 1955 when at just 12 years old, Doris served as 
Vice President of the NAACP Youth Council when Rosa Parks served as the 
organization's advisor. After completing her degree at Clark College, 
she continued her community outreach in Chicago with Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr. on the Open Housing Campaign.
  Doris began her professional career as a Southern Field 
Representative for the National Council of Negro Women by organizing 
chapters, designing rural economic programs, and health and housing 
programs. In 1977, Doris joined the Carter White House Democratic 
Policy Staff for the Small and Minority Business Issue Division. In 
1980, she went on to serve as Deputy Director for the South East Region 
for the Carter Presidential Campaign.
  In the early 1980s, Doris also served as Special Assistant and 
Mobilization Director for Special Projects to the Rev. Jesse Jackson. 
In this capacity, she worked extensively in Washington, D.C. and 
nationwide with black businesses for the PUSH Trade Bureau. Doris then 
served as a consultant to Vice President Walter Mondale and was later 
named National Political Director for ``Mondale for President in 
1983.''
  In 1985, Doris was tapped by Coretta Scott King to serve as Director 
of Mobilization for the first national holiday honoring Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. She was also charged by Dorothy Height to serve as 
Director of Mobilization for the First National Black Family Reunion 
and the National Black Family Reunions in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and 
Detroit. This community icon also organized the nationally recognized 
40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, 57th anniversary and now the 60th celebrations 
of the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott.
  In addition to her various leadership roles, Doris is committed to 
passing the torch to future generations. In 2008, she founded the 
Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute. The organization was 
created to address educational policy issues while engaging youth 
leaders in inspirational training programs through the ``train-the-
trainer'' approach.
  Over the years, Doris has been recognized and awarded numerous 
accolades from organizations around the country and she is a lifetime 
member of the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women. Doris is 
also a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as well 
as the First United Church of Christ. Her proudest accomplishment is 
her daughter, Dr. Kwanza (Mikki) Crenshaw.
  On a personal note, Doris has served as dedicated mentor and friend. 
I know that my journey as the first black woman elected to Congress 
from the State of Alabama would not be possible without her wise 
counsel, support and mentorship.
  On this the 60th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in paying tribute to an Alabama treasure whose 
extraordinary contributions to this nation will continue to shape 
future generations of public servants.

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