AL HR130

Mr. Earnest L. Tate was born October 28, 1935, in Thomasville, Alabama, and moved to Selma in 1957 where he married Norma on November 4, 1962.

Mr. Tate became the first African American Star Route Mail Carrier Contract recipient in 1967 and was one of four African Americans to integrate the Selma Police Department in 1968; he rose to become the first African American Chief of Police for Selma in November 1997 and retired in April 2002.

Mr. Tate received numerous awards including the State of Alabama 2009 Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Golden Eagle Medal of Honor and the Living Legend Award for Outstanding Leadership and Community Service; Cole Street in Selma was renamed Earnest L. Tate Street in January 2020.

Mr. Tate was a member of Elbethel Missionary Baptist Church serving as Deacon, Trustee, and Finance Department Treasurer, and held memberships in the FOP Lodge, Alabama Cattleman's Association, and other professional organizations.

The House of Representatives records Mr. Tate's death with deep sadness and offers this resolution in tribute to his life and service, extending heartfelt sympathy to his surviving wife of 60 years, children, grandchildren, and extended family.