The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF BILLY ALEXANDER
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HON. MARK DeSAULNIER
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Billy Alexander, a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly on behalf of childhood education in West Contra Costa County and throughout California.
Billy and his wife, Barbara, advocated for issues that affected children across our state. After Billy served in the Korean War as a member of the U.S. Army, Billy and Barbara returned to California and settled in Richmond to raise their family. Parents of eight children, the Alexanders took a direct role in the education process by first joining the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). This led to them participating in junior high and high school PTAs and School Advisory Councils, where they established themselves as a collective force for good in our community. Billy and Barbara would eventually become co-
Chairs of the District Advisory Committee and spent 27 years in that role.
Billy and Barbara also displayed their knowledge of and passion for childhood education on the state and national levels. They participated in developing the California Strategic Plan for Parental Involvement in Education, and Billy served on the California Committee of Practitioners, which helped develop Title I plans for the state. He was appointed to the California Department of Education's Council of Black Affairs and to the Committee to Revise Title 5. Additionally, in 1977, the Alexanders won a California court case requiring school districts to ensure federal and state funds designated for Title I were actually used for that purpose. On a national level, Billy and Barbara served on the Board of Directors for the National Coalition of Title I/Chapter I Parents and on the National Council on Educating Black Children.
The Alexanders dedicated their lives to serving the needs of children in an effort to promote equitable educational opportunities. They touched the lives of countless families and created numerous programs benefiting the children and families of Richmond, including Vision of Hope--a weekend tutoring program that expanded to Summer of Hope, which operated as an alternative to summer school. They also created the Mother Hen/Chanticleer Awards to honor individuals who exceptionally served West Contra Costa Unified School District students. From helping parents become better advocates for their children to gifting books to students, the Alexanders worked diligently to create better and more equal opportunities for disadvantaged youth.
Billy and Barbara were married for 44 years until Barbara passed in 2001. Sadly, Billy passed away in November of 2020. Billy was a beloved resident of Richmond and a tremendous advocate for children and he will be missed. Please join me in honoring him for his many contributions to our community.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 46
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