MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Former Washington Mayor and Memphian Marion Barry died early Sunday morning. He was 78.
Barry was elected four times as DC’s Chief Executive and was a council member for Washington’s 8th Ward at the time of his death.
Memphis Mayor A C Wharton released the following statement regarding the local Memphian:
“He was a true example of starting at the bottom of the political hierarchy as a servant of the people through his Operation Pride organization and climbing to the top to become a leader of the people.”
Congressman Steve Cohen released the following regarding the passing of Former Washington D.C. Mayor:
“Marion Barry was always gracious and full of information when we talked, and I am saddened to hear of his passing.”
“He was a son of Memphis, a graduate of what is now LeMoyne-Own College and the President of the NAACP there, as well as the first national chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee.”
“A strong civil rights leader, he rose to serve four terms as the popular, indefatigable Mayor of Washington, DC. As Maya Angelou once said, he ‘changed America with his unmitigated gall to stand up in the ashes of where he had fallen and come back to win.'”
“He was beloved by many in our nation’s capital and around the country, and he will be missed.”
Over the summer, Barry released his autobiography, “Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr.” It’s a nod to his longevity in the city politics of the capital.
