The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE AND EXEMPLARY LEGACY OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE THAD C.
McCLAMMY, JR.
______
HON. TERRI A. SEWELL
of alabama
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of Alabama State Representative, Thad McClammy, an exemplary community advocate, public servant, and former president of Trenholm State Community College who passed away at age 78 on August 21, 2021, of natural causes surrounded by family.
Representative McClammy, one of three siblings, was born in Beatrice, Alabama, to Ukla and Thad C. McClammy, Sr. A graduate of Alabama State University, Rep. McClammy earned his Master of Science in Vocational and Adult Education from Auburn University at Montgomery. He also received an Honorary Doctorate of Law degree from Selma University.
In 1981, prior to his career as an elected official, Rep. McClammy served as President of Trenholm State Technical College, now Trenholm Community College, for fourteen years. During his tenure, he conceptualized and successfully spearheaded a concerted effort by five two-year colleges in Alabama, including Trenholm, to receive Congressional delegation as Historically Black Colleges and Universities. By working to secure this designation, he made way for millions of dollars in federal funds year after year to Alabama. Under his leadership, Trenholm State became a catalyst for community revitalization, piloting a new Certification of Participation program to fund the construction of the college's library. After seeing its success, many other Alabama two-year colleges used this approach to finance new construction.
Rep. McClammy served in the Alabama House of Representatives for nearly twenty-seven years, beginning his career as an elected official in 1994. Representing Alabama's 76th District, Rep. McClammy dutifully served his community using his position to further the economic development of both his district and the greater Montgomery area. Capitalizing on his position as a community leader, he was responsible for identifying the site and working with the landowners to get them to band together to make way for the construction of Hyundai's one-
billion-dollar plant in Montgomery despite other sites being further along in consideration. He conceptualized the Gateway Recreational Park site on I-65 in Montgomery, the initial Montgomery Enterprise Zone, and the I-65/Regional Airport Business Park in Montgomery. Continuously pushing for the expansion of U.S. 80 and 82, Rep. McClammy left his mark by working hand in hand with the local delegation and the community to secure the economic vitality of Alabama's 76th District.
Continuing to address the needs of the community, Rep. McClammy helped recruit the Baptist Outreach Health Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical School branch campus site at Baptist South, advocated the correction of Cloverdale Ditch flood insurance problem, and successfully challenged the lack of minority representation in Montgomery. Forging symbiotic relationships among the business community, Rep. McClammy helped bolster economic development in Montgomery that led to over $70 million worth of construction projects in West Montgomery.
Understanding the importance of historical preservation throughout his district, Rep. McClammy was a fierce supporter and advocate of Civil Rights preservation projects promoting the establishment of the Interpretive Center on the campus of Alabama State University to be managed by National Park Service, the planning and development of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights Trail and obtaining funding for the preservation of Mrs. Rosa Parks' childhood school to name a few. He also sponsored the bill leading to the passage of the Rosa Parks' Act that pardoned Mrs. Parks and hundreds of other convicted of violating laws aimed at keeping the races separate.
As a dynamic community leader, Rep. McClammy also worked as a real estate broker and developer. His civil engagements include Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the Cosmopolitan Civic Club, as a founder of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce., and former deacon of The Historic Day Street Missionary Baptist Church.
Rep. McClammy was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia A. McClammy, whom he married in 1966. Together they had two children, Thad Christopher McClammy III and Patrice McClammy. He is survived by his children and a host of other family members.
On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and legacy of Representative Thad McClammy and his contributions to Alabama's 76th District and the Montgomery community.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 152
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