Repost from Hank Stewart Rep. John Lewis on the Passing of Herman Russell “Herman Russell was one of the founding fathers of the new Atlanta. He was a powerbroker who helped transform not just the skyline of one of this country’s great cities, he helped redeem the soul of America. People know him best as the builder of a major construction company, H.J. Russell & Sons, a tower of strength who used his sharp mind and business know-how to turn a small plastering company into a major player in Atlanta’s business community. But he was more than a businessman, and he was concerned with more than his own financial success. He was a visionary who was deeply affected by the life and teaching of Martin Luther King Jr. “During the movement, when Dr. King, along with other civil rights activists including myself, were arrested on trumped up charges and taken to jail, it was Herman Russell who would post our bail so we could keep the pressure on and continue the struggle for equal justice. The names of the great lawyers of the movement are well known, but business men like H.J. Russell who helped pay the expenses of activism are just as responsible for the freedoms many enjoy today. He was never concerned about getting the credit. He was only concerned about getting a good job done. “He was a “silent partner” in the most transformative movement of the last century in America, and continually involved in shaping the cultural, political, and economic landscape of Atlanta until his death. Whenever I pass the construction site of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. today, I see Herman Russell’s big trucks working there. One day the story of his life and his work will be told there so that millions will know what this one man accomplished for many years to come. “The entire nation is indebted to Herman J. Russell for the vision of hope and progress he had for this city and this country. He was an unforgettable philanthropist, a wise corporate citizen, a shrewd businessman, a wonderful man, and my dear friend. In all the years I knew him, I never heard him say one bad word about anybody. He made an indelible mark on the city of Atlanta and the nation. He will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his loving family in this difficult hour. I hope they will be lifted by the prayers, love and support of his many friends all around the world.”
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 17:11:19 +0000
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