In Honor of the Extraordinary Life and Service of State Representative Alvin Holmes
Floor Speech
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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of long-serving Alabama State Representative Alvin Holmes of Montgomery. Rep. Holmes dutifully served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives for 44 years. Rep. Holmes passed away at home at the age of 81. Rep. Holmes was a dedicated public servant and community leader. Rep. Holmes led with dignity and a strong sense of justice throughout his career. He is remembered by colleagues and the community as an individual who knew and acted on what was right, no matter the challenge. He is survived by his daughter, Veronica Holmes.
Born in Montgomery on October 26, 1939 to John H. Holmes and Willie Ann Holmes, he was born and raised in Montgomery, AL. Rep. Holmes attended Rochester Business Institute, Alabama State University, Atlanta University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Alabama, and Jones School of Law. He held a Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Education degree, Master of Arts degree, and a Doctor of Law degree. Rep. Holmes marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as a student and fought for the equal treatment of all Americans in every role he served.
Rep. Holmes was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, the NAACP, Montgomery Improvement Association, a member of the State Democratic Executive Committee, and was a member of the Hutchinson Missionary Baptist Church.
After graduating from Alabama State University, Rep. Holmes was an Alabama delegate to the historic 1968 Democratic National Convention. He was a member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, where he helped lead civil rights demonstrations in between his studies. Rep. Holmes served once more as an Alabama delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention.
In 1974, Alvin Holmes was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. During the four decades of his service, Rep. Holmes gave a voice to the voiceless--a champion for equal rights and justice for all citizens. He led multiple efforts to deconstruct the remnants of segregation and to remove racist language from the State Constitution. One of his proudest accomplishments was establishing Martin Luther King Day as a state holiday and encouraging the hiring of African Americans for professional position at the Alabama Legislature. Rep. Holmes spearheaded the annual parade that is held on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
In 1993, Rep. Holmes successfully led the effort to remove the confederate flag from Alabama's State Capitol building. In addition, he sponsored a constitutional amendment to remove an interracial marriage ban from the Alabama Constitution and fought for years to have sexual orientation included in the state hate crime statute.
Throughout his career, Rep. Holmes was known to extend his passion for justice by ensuring tax dollars were spent wisely to best serve the people of Montgomery. Rep. Holmes always fought for what was right, a sharp critic and voice of truth in the Alabama Legislature. Rep. Holmes was a rigorous interrogator, often highlighting flaws or unintended consequences in bills and other official actions. During his time on the Contract Review Committee, which oversees state government contracts, Rep. Holmes was a watchful eye of government spending.
On a personal note, State Representative Alvin Holmes stood as a towering giant of what was possible as a black Alabamian. For over forty years, his very presence in the Alabama State legislature was a guiding example to boys and girls, like me, that African Americans could get elected and succeed in politics. He was unapologetic about his race and always profound in his rejection of racism and discrimination. He taught us to fight for what we believe in and be willing to stand alone in our convictions. Rep. Holmes paved the way for so many of us to be in positions of power today. I know that I would not be Alabama's first black Congresswoman, if not for his tireless efforts to promote fairness and equity for all in Alabama. The legacy of Rep. Holmes will live on in hearts and minds of all those he touched and for future generations of Alabamians.
On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and service of Alabama State Representative Alvin Holmes and his incredible contributions to the Civil Rights movement, Alabama Legislature and the community of Montgomery.
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