By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-974049.mp3
Dallas, TX – Friends are remembering longtime civil rights activist and former Dallas councilmember Albert Louis "Al" Lipscomb as an outspoken crusader who brought racial diversity to City Hall.
Lipscomb was a week short of turning 85 when he died early Saturday morning at his Dallas home following a lengthy illness.
Lipscomb was first elected to the council in 1984 where he served seven terms. A federal bribery conviction forced Lipscomb to resign from the council in January 2000. That conviction was later overturned.
Lipscomb was the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit that challenged Dallas' city-wide election of council members, claiming the system made it difficult for minorities to be elected. The challenge eventually led to more Hispanic and African-American representation under the current system of single-member districts.
A federal bribery conviction forced Lipscomb to resign from
the council in January 2000. That conviction was later overturned.
Dallas Mayor Dwaine Caraway says Lipscomb's efforts opened doors for today's minority leaders.
"I would not be mayor today if not for Al Lipscomb," said Caraway. "He fought for the things he believed in and that transformed our community."
Listen to Mayor Caraway's comments about Al Lipscomb by clicking on the audio bar at the top of this page.