[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 107 (Friday, August 5, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      THURGOOD MARSHALL UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE, WHITE PLAINS, NY

                                 ______


                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 5, 1994

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I will introduce, in conjunction with 
my colleagues Representatives Lowey, Gilman, and Fish, legislation 
which will designate the United States courthouse under construction in 
White Plains, NY as the ``Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse'', 
a modest tribute to an extraordinary defender of human rights.
  Thurgood Marshall spent a lifetime dedicated to the protection of 
individual and civil rights. Long before he became the first African-
American justice, he earned his place in history from the other side of 
the bench and has often been cited as the greatest lawyer in the 20th 
century. As chief counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education 
Fund, Marshall successfully argued before the Supreme Court in 1954, 
resulting in the historic ruling, Brown versus Board of Education, 
which declared racially segregated public schools as unconstitutional.
  Then, in 1961, Marshall accepted an appointment from President 
Kennedy to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 
Subsequently, he received a nomination to the Supreme Court in 1967 
from President Johnson. During his tenure on the Supreme Court he 
vigilantly continued to defend individual rights, protecting minorities 
and the under-privileged, and supporting affirmative action and 
abortion rights, while opposing the death penalty.
  Naming the White Plains courthouse in memory of Justice Marshall will 
serve a meaningful purpose for the residents of Westchester County. The 
courthouse will provide a tangible symbol of Marshall' important 
legacy, while serving as an important reminder of the solemn principles 
of law and justice which will be defended within its walls.
  Finally, I would like to thank the African American Federation of 
Westchester, the White Plains-Greenburgh branch of the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Greg Smith, 
president and CEO of the ADF, White Plains Common Council Member 
William Brown, Jr., Paul Redd, editor of the Westchester County Press, 
and Ernest D. Davis and Herman Keith of the Westchester County Board of 
Legislators for their assistance in this important project. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in cosponsoring this legislation.

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