HR80 Summary

• Records and mourns the death of State Representative Demetrius Newton, who died on September 11, 2013, at age 85.

• Honors Newton's legal career including filing the first Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964 action in the United States and challenging segregated train passenger waiting areas.

• Recognizes Newton's historic legislative achievements as first African-American to chair the Judiciary Committee, first African-American elected Speaker Pro Tempore, and first Speaker Pro Tempore Emeritus of the Alabama House of Representatives.

• Notes Newton's numerous honors including the Alabama Lawyers Association Award for Outstanding Lawyer and Pioneer, American Cancer Society's Outstanding Legislator Award, and honorary doctorate from Wilberforce University.

• Expresses condolences to Newton's survivors: daughter Deirdre, a lawyer in New York, and son Demetrius Jr., a videographer with the Birmingham Board of Education.