Representative Cecil A. Reed View All Years

CECIL A. REED

CECIL A. REED was born October 23, 1913, in Collinsville, Illinois, the son of Garrett and Julia Reed. The Reed family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1923 where Cecil graduated from high school in 1921.

Cecil and Evelyn Ruth Reed united in marriage in 1936. After high school, Cecil worked as a janitor and shoe shiner before starting a maintenance and floor-sanding business which he owned and operated for 23 years.

Throughout his life Mr. Reed was a peaceful but passionate advocate for civil rights and equality. He served in many leadership positions, including chairman of the Civic Bureau Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Cedar Rapids Symphony, and member of the State N.A.A.C.P. Board.

Cecil was the author of the book, “Fly in the Buttermilk: the Life of Cecil Reed”, about his life as a black man living and working in an area populated by whites. His book is among the all-time top sellers published by the University of Iowa Press.

A Republican, Mr. Reed was a member of the Sixty-second General Assembly. (1967-1968)

Cecil A. Reed died on August 14, 2006 at the age of 92.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved By The House Of Representatives Of The Eighty­Second General Assembly Of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable Cecil A. Reed, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

TYLER OLSON

KRAIG PAULSEN

TODD TAYLOR

Committee