Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) spoke on the House Floor to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Montgomery County Commission Chairman Elton Dean. Chairman Dean passed away on June 7, 2022, at the age of 72. 

A video recording of Sewell’s remarks can be accessed and downloaded here. Her remarks are transcribed below.

Rep. Sewell: Mister Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the extraordinary life and legacy of Montgomery County Commissioner Chairman Elton Dean.

A native of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, Chairman Dean graduated from Montgomery’s own George Washington Carver High School before attending Selma University where he received his Associate’s Degree.

Returning to Montgomery, Chairman Dean pursued his Bachelor of Science at the Alabama State University, where he graduated in 1971 with a degree in business and economics.

Chairman Dean became a successful businessman, putting to work his entrepreneurial spirit to serve and improve his community as the owner of Dean Realty as well as 21st Century Hair Studio.

In November of 2000, Chairman Dean was first elected to the Montgomery County Commission where he humbly and faithfully served the 2nd District for over 20 years. Dean was elected Vice-Chairman in November 2004 before making history in March 2009 as the first African American to serve as Chair of the Montgomery County Commission. Montgomery County includes the historic city of Montgomery, Alabama.

Known as a dedicated public servant and passionate community leader, Chairman Dean’s legacy lives on in the countless projects and initiatives that came to fruition under his leadership, including the implementation of Montgomery County’s Back to School Sales Tax Holiday. Chairman Dean is also known for bringing the commission meetings to the people by holding his “On the Road” initiative, which allowed the constituents to meet directly with their representatives.

Chairman Dean worked tirelessly to improve Montgomery County’s economic well-being. Among his most notable achievements, he oversaw the implementation of the one percent sales tax in 2001 which generated over $428 million for public education in Montgomery County, delivering critically needed resources to the children of our community.

Chairman Dean never missed an opportunity to give back. Through his adult life, he held countless positions, including serving on boards and organizations throughout Montgomery County which included Executive Board Member of the South Central Alabama Boys and Girls Club as well as Board Member for the Montgomery Improvement Association, Board Member for the Central Alabama Community Foundation, Chairman of Trustee Board and mass choir member of Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He was Commissioner of the Central Alabama Amateur Baseball League and Commissioner of the Southern League Dixie Youth Baseball.

A very strong advocate for his alma mater, Chairman Dean, returned to the Alabama State University later in life to Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Alabama State University. In this role, he served for nine years and generated $525 million worth of campus improvements.

In his role as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Alabama State University, I got to know Chairman Dean because he gave me, as a young bond lawyer, the opportunity to represent my parents’ alma mater, the Alabama State University. It was Chairman Dean who encouraged me to run for Congress and for his mentorship and his friendship I am forever grateful.

Chairman Dean has rightfully received numerous awards throughout the community: The Pioneer Award by The Montgomery Tuskegee Times, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award in 2012, the Citizen of the Year Award by the Sigma Phi Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 2004, the Citizen of the Year Award by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity (Montgomery’s Alumni Chapter), as well as the Kershaw YMCA Man of the Year.

Chairman Dean was a true public servant and servant leader, and though I know so many of us are heartbroken by his passing, I am eternally grateful for our partnership on behalf of the citizens of Montgomery County, Alabama and blessed to have been guided by his mentorship as well as his friendship over the years.

May his family find comfort in knowing that Elton Dean’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all of those he impacted. As we mourn his passing, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Montgomery County Commissioner Chairman Elton Dean.

Thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.