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“RECOGNIZING HARVEY T. LEWIS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1251 on Sept. 13, 2018.
The Department includes the Census Bureau, which is used to determine many factors about American life. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department is involved in misguided foreign trade policies and is home to many unneeded programs.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING HARVEY T. LEWIS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY
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HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor a great American, Mr. Harvey T. Lewis, on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Mr. Lewis has led a life of service to his country, to his community, and to others.
Harvey T. Lewis was born on September 15, 1918 in Richmond, Virginia to Alberta Graves Lewis and John Edward Lewis. He is one of sixteen children raised by his parents. Mr. Lewis also had a twin sister, the late Evelyn Alberta Lewis. Mr. Lewis attended Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia. After his father' s passing, Mr. Lewis left school to work and help support the family.
A true man of service, Mr. Lewis served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II as a sergeant. He went on to hold various positions in the federal government. After 28 years of government service, Mr. Lewis retired as Special Assistant to the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce where he was a trusted aide.
Mr. Lewis is known for his work ethic and entrepreneurial successes. He worked as a Pullman porter and was a member of the Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters. He has owned and operated several businesses throughout his lifetime, including a neighborhood delicatessen in Prince George's County, Maryland and a cleaning service in Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Lewis was a cab driver in Washington, D.C. for many years and later became a licensed limousine driver. This led to the establishment of his limousine business, Limelighter Limousine Service. For 35 years, Mr. Lewis and his team provided limousine services to clients ranging from company executives to business owners to performing artists.
In addition to his work, Mr. Lewis is a longtime civic leader. In the 1960s, he was a civil rights advocate and used his familiarity as a professional driver in Washington, D.C. to provide scores of free rides to those attending the 1963 March on Washington. Rosa Parks requested Mr. Lewis as her driver to the United States Capitol for her Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony. Mr. Lewis truly believed in the value of being involved in our democracy. He was an active volunteer on numerous local, state, and presidential campaigns spanning from John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama. In 2008, at 89 years old, Mr. Lewis was one of the oldest active campaigners for Barack Obama. Upon meeting President Obama in 2012, just days after his 94th birthday, he was still an active campaigner.
The most important thing to Mr. Lewis has always been his family. He is married to his wife of ten years, the former Linda Ivey. He has one daughter Dr. Freda C. Lewis-Hall son-in-law Dr. Emerson R. Hall, Jr. three grandchildren Erin, Justin, and Austin and two great-
grandchildren Michael, II and Emerson.
Mr. Lewis has been recognized for his outstanding service throughout his lifetime however, those who know him simply refer to him as ``a good man.'' To some, Mr. Lewis is a dedicated member of his community, to others, a hardworking businessman. To his friends and family, Harvey T. Lewis is a man of faith and a devoted family man.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and celebrating Mr. Harvey T. Lewis on his 100th birthday. May God continue to bless him and his family.
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