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
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on June 22, 2011, by a
rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate