Former Houston rep was architect behind state’s Juneteenth holiday
Al Edwards, the former Democratic Houston legislator who introduced the bill that made Juneteenth a state holiday and lost re-election nearly three decades later after infamously trying to restrict cheerleaders’ dance routines, died Wednesday of natural causes. He was 83.
Toward the end of his political career, which began under Jimmy Carter’s presidency and ended during Barack Obama’s first term, Edwards generated headlines for his colorful quotes, unorthodox bills and a series of contentious election battles against Houston Democrat Borris Miles, who is now a state senator.
His best-known legislative accomplishment, however,
came during his freshman term, when he authored a bill commemorating June 19, 1865, the day slaves in Texas first learned they had been freed under the Emancipation Proclamation. The legislation created a state holiday to mark the end of slavery in the United States, and since has been replicated in most other states.
Edwards overcame strong opposition to the bill by cutting deals with some of its opponents, including one Republican who decided not to kill the legislation after Edwards helped him pass an anti-abortion measure. That same across-the-aisle work drew Edwards ample criticism throughout his career, perhaps most notably when he declined to join Democrats who traveled to Oklahoma in 2003 in a bid to block a Republican-led redistricting plan.
Gerry Birnberg, former chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party, once said that Edwards “gave heartburn” to Democrats for his votes and support of former Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick. In response to criticism from legislative colleagues, Edwards said in 2009, “They were not on my side. I couldn’t care less about what the House Democrats say about me.”
Edwards represented House District 146 in south Houston from 1979 to 2007, and again from 2009 to 2011. The news of his death first was announced Wednesday by Mayor Sylvester Turner, who served in the Texas House with Edwards for two decades.
Turner, who served as speaker pro tem under Craddick after also staying out of the 2003 Oklahoma trip, said Edwards “became like a brother to me” during their time in the Legislature.
“During nearly three decades in the Texas House, he served with distinction on several influential committees,” the mayor said. “I deeply loved him. And I will miss him greatly.”
The sixth of 16 children, Edwards was born in Houston in 1937, attended Phillis Wheatley High School and received a bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University. He marched and demonstrated during the civil rights movement alongside the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and served as Texas chairman of Jackson’s presidential bids in 1984 and 1988. In between his time in the bienniel Legislature, Edwards worked as a real estate broker and ordained minister.
Aside from the Juneteenth bill, some of Edwards’ signature legislative proposals included a 1989 bill that would have punished drug dealers by chopping off their fingers, and a so-called booty bill in 2005 that would have barred school dance teams, including cheerleaders, from performing “overtly sexually suggestive” routines. The latter proposal made national news, generated a two-hour debate on the House floor, passed the lower chamber, then died when the Senate declined to take it up.
In the Democratic primary the following year, Miles defeated Edwards in a runoff. It was the first of four straight contests between the two; Edwards reclaimed his seat in 2008, then lost to Miles in 2010 and 2012, ending his political career.
Miles on Wednesday called Edwards “a pillar in our community” and “a pioneer and civil rights leader.”
“I thank Al for all that he did for our community,” Miles said in a statement. “For without the drive of leaders in the face of evil, we would be nowhere. We must continue the fight of our forefathers and mothers to rise and lift each other up.”
State Rep. Shawn Thierry, a Houston Democrat who represents Edwards’ former district, tweeted that Edwards “served the Texas Legislature honorably, dedicating his life to public service.”
“It’s an honor to stand in his shoes and continue the work,” Thierry said.
In 2006, shortly after he had lost to Miles in the Democratic primary, Edwards said in an interview with the Chronicle that the Juneteenth holiday is especially important because “we did it through a structured body like the Legislature.”
“The people across this state voted each one of us in office. And when we vote, we don't just vote for what we think personally. We vote based on what our constituents feel,” Edwards said. “It says, then, that the whole state of Texas has put their stamp of acceptance on this day as an official day of acknowledgment. I can't imagine too many things more important to the human race — not just blacks — than coming out of slavery into freedom.”
Edwards is survived by three children — Al Edwards II, Alana Edwards and Jason Edwards — and his ex-wife Lana Edwards, a longtime educator and former City Council candidate.
Turner said Edwards’ family and friends are not making plans for a memorial service due to the coronavirus pandemic, though he suggested one may take place later.
“Make no mistake, Al deserves a grand celebration for his lifetime of achievements,” Turner said. “I look forward to honoring my friend and brother at the appropriate time.”