In 1972, seven years after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, five black men were elected to the Selma City Council, marking the first time the African-American community was represented on that body since Reconstruction.

They were known locally as “The Courageous Five” and Rev. Lorenzo Harrison, who died March 30 at the age of 87, was among their ranks.

Harrison claimed that seat on the city council alongside Rev. Frederick D. Reese, Ernest Doyle, James Kimbrough and Rev. William Kemp on the heels of an enormous voter turnout and a shift to district to district elections.

“I think he is one of the longest reigning public servants in our city,” said Rev. James Perkins, the first black mayor of Selma. “[He was] a great friend and exceptional servant.”

Harrison was born March 8, 1932 in Autauga County, one of five children born to Rev. Dr. Roosevelt and educator Delia Hardy, and was known as the “take charge” sibling from an early age – his obituary recalls a story of how Harrison, at only seven years old, left his home and snuck his baby sister, Zealer, out of the babysitter’s house.

When his father returned home that afternoon, Harrison informed him that he and his brothers – Ted, James and Eugene – would take care of their young sister from then on.

At 17, Harrison joined the ministry and was often found standing in the pasture preaching to the cows. In his early years, he was known as the “Travelling Preacher” and is mentioned in the Taylor Branch book “At Canaan’s Edge.”

From there, Harrison attended Alabama State University and served in the U.S. Air Force and became one of the loudest proponents of equality in Selma during some of the Queen City’s most tumultuous years.

After 34 years of service, Harrison retired from the Craig Field Airport Authority and then took his historic role on the Selma City Council, a post he would hold for more than two decades.

During his tenure, Harrison oversaw the paving of dirt streets and installation of sidewalks in his ward, he had sewer and water lines installed throughout the area at no charge to residents, as well as the placement of storm drains, street lights and signs.

Additionally, Harrison oversaw the renovation of Elmwood Cemetery, now known as Lorenzo Harrison Memorial Gardens, and the construction of the Dinkins Public Swimming Pool.

He was instrumental in the construction of the Softball Complex, the removal of dilapidated houses and the construction of Selma City Hall, the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center, the Selma-Dallas County Public Library and the Performing Arts Center.

During Harrison’s tenure, African-Americans began being hired by the Selma Police and Fire departments.

“My father was unique in a lot of ways,” said Tammy Maul, Harrison’s daughter. “He did all that he could while he could for Selma. We miss him already.”

Funeral services for Harrison will be held at noon on Saturday, April 6 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church on Selma Avenue.