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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E901]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN MEMORY OF DR. WRIGHT L. LASSITER, JR.
______
HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and
pay tribute to the distinguished life and legacy of Dr. Wright L.
Lassiter, Jr., who passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019. Dr. Lassiter
was known throughout the Dallas community for his wisdom as an
educator, his leadership as a businessman, and his selflessness as a
volunteer.
Dr. Lassiter served in the higher education system for an impressive
thirty-plus years. His positions included President of Schenectady
County Community College, President of Bishop College, President of El
Centro Community College, and most recently Chancellor of the Dallas
County Community College District, the largest community college system
in Texas. He was also a Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Leadership
Studies and Management/Ethics at Dallas Baptist University, a Master
Professor in the Educational Leadership Program at the University of
Texas, and a Visiting Professor at Texas A&M University. Dr. Lassiter
had a passion for higher education and made it a priority of his to
ensure that underrepresented students had equal access to it.
In addition to his career as an educator and administrator, Dr.
Lassiter earned national recognition for his diversity and inclusion
advocacy. He held presidential appointments to the White House
Commission on Minority Business Development and the National Advisory
Council to the National Endowment for the Humanities under Presidents
George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, respectively. He also held an
appointment from former Texas Governor Rick Perry to the Task Force to
Develop the State Higher Education Plan.
Dr. Lassiter was recognized for his work as the first African
American recipient of the Russell Perry Distinguished Leadership Award
by Dallas Baptist University, the Distinguished Service Award by the
Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, and the Jubilee History--Maker
Award. He also published thirteen books and collections of speeches and
sermons.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Lassiter lent his free time to
our community. He was a board member of the Dallas Salvation Army,
United Way, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Foundation, and the Dallas Housing Authority, to name a few. His
contributions to the Dallas area are truly immeasurable, and his work
will have a lasting-impact on our community.
Dr. Lassiter is survived by his wife Demetria; son Wright Lassiter
III; daughter Michele LassiterEwell; and two granddaughters, Ryan and
Loren.
I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering Dr. Lassiter and his
contributions through public service, his dedication to his students,
and his love for the Dallas community. We will miss him dearly.
____________________