February 26, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 38 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACEY OF DERRICK LAMAR RICHARDSON; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 38
(Extensions of Remarks - February 26, 2020)
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[Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E215-E216] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACEY OF DERRICK LAMAR RICHARDSON ______ HON. TERRI A. SEWELL of alabama in the house of representatives Wednesday, February 26, 2020 Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Derrick Lamar Richardson, an intelligent, kind, hard-working man of faith and determination, who passed away on February 14, 2020. Derrick joined our staff as district press secretary for Alabama's 7th Congressional District in Janua1y of 2016 and served his home district with distinction until August of 2017. Born on October 31, 1972 to Lovenia Richardson in Birmingham, Alabama, Derrick professed his love for Christ at an early age. For many years, Derrick attended Maple Grove Church of God with his grandmother, Ada Ford, and it was there that he was granted his deep and abiding faith. Throughout his life, Derrick's faith served as a foundational pillar of strength, guidance and wisdom, giving Derrick the courage to face whatever challenges crossed his path. Derrick received his education in the Birmingham City School System, attending Hillman Elementary School and matriculating from Parker High School in 1991. As a high school student, Derrick was an active participant in the Marching Thundering Herd Band, where he played the tuba. During his junior year at Parker High School, Derrick's devotion to his country compelled him to enlist in the Army National Guard and Reserves. Before his senior year of high school, Derrick attended boot camp at Fort McClellan in Anniston, Alabama, and upon graduation, went on to attend the Army Communications School at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. During his military service, Derrick served as a Legal Support Specialist in the 167th COSCOM (Headquarters Co.): JAG Corp. in Ft. Clayton, Panama, the 81st Regional Support Command: JAG Corp. in Homewood, Alabama and the 131st Signal Battalion (Headquarters Co.): Signal Corp. in Birmingham, Alabama. Derrick received two Meritorious Service Citations for Outstanding Performance and an honorable discharge. After his military service in 1995, Derrick enrolled at Jacksonville State University, where he soon became involved in the Student Government Association and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. At Jacksonville State University, Derrick became a member of his beloved fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a brotherhood and network that would serve him as an invaluable support system for many years to come. At Jacksonville State University, Derrick also had an opportunity to pursue his passion for politics. In 1999, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science; and after graduation went on to attend Long Island University, where he graduated Cum Laude with a master's degree in Urban Policy. [[Page E216]] Professionally, Derrick continued to pursue his passion for politics, working up and down the east coast, from Alabama to Maryland to New York to Washington, D.C. He worked across the political spectrum, for campaigns, as a lobbyist and in this Congressional office. Derrick's impressive resume includes: co-founding the lobbying firm Epps, Richardson and Associates; serving as the first African American Director of Public Policy for the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce; serving as the Senior Director for State and Regional affairs for the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C.; serving as the Legislative Budget Director for the New York City Council; serving as the Director of Domestic Policy for the Lutheran Church in America; and serving as the Manager of Government Relations for Van Scoyoc Associates in Washington, D.C. Derrick joined our office in 2016 and served as District Press Secretary, devoting his considerable talents to addressing the challenges faced by Alabama's 7th Congressional District of Alabama, including unemployment, career and college readiness, economic viability and civil rights. Derrick then became the inaugural Executive Director of the Alabama Alliance of the Boys and Girls Club. There, he brought his same fierce commitment to justice and equal opportunity, lending his ample professional experience to expanding and uplifting the work of the Boys and Girls Club. Over the years, Derrick's many accomplishments have been recognized with numerous awards, including: The Veteran of Influence Award from the Birmingham Business Journal; the Maryland Gubernatorial Proclamation for Outstanding Public Service; and the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus Award for Trailblazer and Successful Lobbyist. Derrick leaves behind his mother, Lovenia Hart, his wife, State Representative Merika Coleman; his children, Jonathan, Dara Elisa, Elexia and Xaviar; his brothers, Everett Howard and Gerald (Grace) Richardson; a very devoted cousin/little brother, Tionne Birdsong; three nieces; two nephews; one very devoted sister/cousin, Barbara Birdsong; and a host of cousins, friends, frat brothers and church family. On a personal note, Derrick was a beloved member of our congressional staff. I was honored that Derrick joined us on our journey to move Alabama's 7th District forward. He was an outstanding press secretary who used his talents and strong work ethic to passionately advocate for the people of his home district. I am forever grateful that Derrick played such a special role in our journey. We will certainly miss his kindness, his gentle spirit, his sharp wit and his compassionate heart; but we know that Derrick's legacy will live on through the many lives he has impacted. May we honor Derrick's life by recommitting ourselves to the causes he cared about and the community he loved so much. Rest in peace, Derrick. Always Team Sewell. Madam Speaker, on behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the exemplary life of Derrick Lamar Richardson, a true servant leader who led by example. ____________________