SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 81

In Memory

of

Albert Louis Lipscomb

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the citizens of Dallas in mourning the loss of civil rights leader and former city councilman Albert Louis Lipscomb, who died June 18, 2011, at the age of 86; and

WHEREAS, Albert Louis Lipscomb was born June 15, 1925, in East Dallas; he graduated from Lincoln High School before serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Lipscomb returned to Dallas in 1950 and became head waiter at the executive dining room of the First National Bank; he also waited tables at some of the finest restaurants in Dallas, including La Tunisia, the Safari Club, and the Adolphus and Baker Hotels; and

WHEREAS, He began his activities in public service as a neighborhood organizer for the Dallas Community Action Agency, a part of President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty; he was also an organizer for the Dallas chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; as a grassroots community organizer, he helped homeowners in South Dallas resist displacement caused by the city's expansion of Fair Park and honed the political skills that would make him a force to be reckoned with for decades to come; and

WHEREAS, In 1971, Mr. Lipscomb was the first African American to run for mayor of Dallas, finishing third in a field of 10; the same year, he was lead plaintiff in the lawsuit that eventually led to the creation of single-member districts for the Dallas City Council, overturning the city's system of at-large districts and winning greater representation for minority constituents; he went on to be elected to the council in 1984 and served a total of 15 years; as a councilman, he worked to improve living conditions, reduce crime, and promote better relations between community residents and police; and

WHEREAS, Unafraid of controversy when he knew he was working for a just cause, he was known for his confrontational style and his direct approach; Mr. Lipscomb was an outspoken defender of civil rights, and he worked on a wide variety of issues that affected his community, including police misconduct, bus fare increases, and the jury-selection process; and

WHEREAS, He founded the South Dallas Information Center to help residents with problems related to poverty and discrimination, and he also helped to found many issue-based groups, such as the Black Citizens for Justice, Law, and Order; and

WHEREAS, A man of courage, determination, and strength, he played a vital role in advancing the cause of civil rights in Dallas, and his generosity, his forthrightness, and his enthusiasm for living each day to the fullest will not be forgotten by those who knew him; and

WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured forever by his family and countless friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby extend sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Albert Louis Lipscomb: his devoted wife, Lovie Marie Lipscomb; his daughters, Jacquelyn McDonald, Eyelette Lipscomb, Donette Zeno, Alva Smith, and LaVette Dudley; his sons, Noel, Jeffrey, and Jesse Lipscomb; his brother, Thomas Lipscomb; and his 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Albert Louis Lipscomb.

West

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 22, 2011, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate