[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1464-E1465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A SPECIAL SALUTE TO JUDGE CARL J. CHARACTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 1996

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Honorable Carl 
J. Character, judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Judge 
Character will be retiring from the Court in January, 1997. As he 
prepares to depart his post, plans are underway for special ceremonies 
and other events to recognize Judge Character's commitment to public 
service and this Nation. I am proud to participate in the tribute to 
Judge Character. I want to share with my colleagues and the Nation some 
information regarding this distinguished member of the judiciary.
  Carl J. Character was appointed to the Cuyahoga Court of Common Pleas 
in 1987 by

[[Page E1465]]

former Ohio Governor Richard Celeste. In 1990 he was elected to the 
bench and has served with distinction. His elevation to a judgeship in 
the Common Pleas Court represented the highlight of a 30-year career in 
the legal profession.
  Judge Character attended Cleveland public schools and graduated from 
Glenville High School. He completed studies at Ohio State University 
and received his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan. He 
went on to earn a masters of law from Cleveland Marshall College of Law 
of Cleveland State University.
  Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Character was a trial 
attorney. He represented a variety of clients, from Fortune 500 
companies to welfare recipients and professional athletes. As a lawyer, 
Carl Character epitomized excellence in the courtroom. He and I were 
partners for a number of years in the law firm founded by my brother 
Carl Stokes, Carl Character, and myself. The law firm was known as 
Stokes, Character, Terry, Perry Whitehead, young and Davidson. It was 
during those years that I came to know Carl Character as an outstanding 
trial lawyer who was totally dedicated to his clients and the cause 
which he espoused. More than that, however, he was active in our 
community where he volunteered many hours of service. He was a leader 
and advocate in the civil rights movement in Cleveland.Whenever his 
community needed him, Carl Character was there. As a judge he has been 
compassionate and strong. He is highly respected by the bench and bar 
and leaves a legacy of excellence as a judge. Carl has been a role 
model for young lawyers and he has really enjoyed being a judge.
  Mr. Speaker, Judge Character is a veteran of the United States Army, 
having served in the Korean war. He is a past president of the National 
Bar Association and a member of the American Bar Association. Other 
memberships include the World Association of Lawyers, American Trial 
Lawyers Association, National Conference of Black Lawyers, and the 
Cuyahoga County Bar Association, just to name a few.
  In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Character is an integral 
part of the Cleveland community. He is active in the Cleveland NAACP, 
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Ohio Commission on Racial Fairness, the 
American Legion, and the University Hospital Board of Trustees. I am 
also proud to note his membership in the Emmanuel Baptist Church.
  Mr. Speaker, throughout his career, Judge Character has been 
recognized for his dedication and commitment to public service. He 
received the Distinguished Service Award from the Judicial Council of 
the National Bar Association. In addition, he received the 
organization's Presidential Award and C. Francis Strafford Award. Judge 
Character has been named ``Father of the Year'' by the Teen Father 
Program. Further, he received special recognition from the Legal Aid 
Society of Cleveland and has been honored by Beta Gamma Sigma and Beta 
Alpha Psi Fraternities.
  Judge Character and his lovely wife, DeeAnn reside in Shaker Heights, 
OH. They are the proud parents of Darla and Dea Character. I know that 
members of Judge Character's family share our pride in his many 
accomplishments.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to salute Judge Carl J. Character. He is a 
dedicated public servant who has fought to ensure justice and fairness 
in the legal system. I join his colleagues and others in congratulating 
him and wishing him well in the future.

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