TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
a phone interview with the Montgom- ery Advertiser in 2018, a day after his 44-year political career came to an end. “I feel good about the accomplishments I’ve made. I’m so happy that the people gave me a long time to serve.” Brother Holmes expressed in 2018 that “outspo- kenness was part of a legislative strategy to bring attention to issues that he felt might be ignored otherwise...my legisla- tive career ended with joy in my heart.” According to Holmes, “the mere fact of my presence caused people to not do things they would do ordinarily,” he said. “And my presence caused them
to do things they would not have done ordinarily”. Brother Alvin A. Holmes was pre- ceded in death by his parents; sisters: Ruby Jones, Lillian Ashley, Sadie Harvey, Mabie Soulds, Johnnie Pearl Holmes, and Thelma Wilson, broth- ers: Stinson Holmes, Clifford Holmes, Amos Holmes, Jose Holmes and Clinton Holmes. He leaves to treasure his mem- ory a loving and dedicated daughter, Veronica Holmes (Rudolph) Reynolds, and a host of close friends, relatives, and colleagues.
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Fighting for fair racial representation ran through Holmes’ career, and was an issue on which he could show toughness and savvy. In 1975, during his first full year in the body, Holmes brought a resolution to the floor of the House of Representatives that he got passed on a quick voice vote. Most representatives only later realized they approved a document asking state departments to hire Black employees. The Montgomery Advertiser quoted one White legislator saying “Do you know what that little sonofabitch did?” after the vote. “I think maybe they’ll pay more attention the next time,” Holmes said at the time. “That’s part of a legislator’s duty. If you’re not alert, nobody’s supposed to wake you up. If they want to sleep, let them sleep.”
Montgomery Advertiser, November 22, 2020
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