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HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. ALBERT DOTSON, SR.
______
HON. MARIA ELVIRA SALAZAR
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Ms. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Albert Dotson, Sr., a beloved constituent in our community who served as a pioneer, activist, husband, and loving father throughout his lifetime. On May 29, 2021, Mr. Dotson passed away at the age of 83.
I would like to recognize Dr. Albert Dotson, Sr.'s steadfast leadership, his embrace of the communities he has lived and served in, and his many achievements.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1938, Albert was raised by a single mother who worked as a housekeeper. His mother, Alberta, taught him the value of hard work and respect at an early age.
Later on in life, Albert met his wife, Earlene, while at church. The couple married in 1959 and continued to attend church together throughout the next six decades. Together, they had five children and 13 grandchildren.
Throughout his life, Albert never forgot the value of hard work that his mother instilled in him. After dropping out of college to take an entry-level job at Sears Roebuck and Company, he eventually worked his way up as the corporation's first African American store manager. In 1976, he relocated to Miami, where he eventually decided to launch several of his own businesses with his wife.
Education was always very important to Albert and Earlene. After watching all five of their children graduate from college, they decided to go back to school themselves and complete their undergraduate degrees. Albert eventually went on to complete his PhD in Philosophy in 2004.
Albert continuously remained active in the higher education community, serving on Florida International University's (FIU) Foundation Board of Directors for nearly two decades to secure research funding for architecture and medical students. He eventually went on to chair the FIU Board of Trustees from 2009 to 2011.
Albert cared deeply for the Miami community, being involved with community groups like the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce and the Miami-
Dade School Board. In 1989, he joined the Orange Bowl Committee, created in 1935 to promote tourism to the Miami metropolitan area. Less than a decade later, Albert broke records when he became the first African American President of the Committee.
Albert's life is a great example of service-leadership and working hard towards the American Dream. Miami-Dade will always be grateful for his contributions to our community.
Dr. Dotson Sr. is survived by his wife Earlene; his sons Albert Jr. and Jonathan; his daughters Dr. Toya Greene, LeTessa Hall, Christa Dean; and his 13 grandchildren.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 99
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