[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE PASSING OF JAY B. WHITE, ``AMERICA'S FINEST LAWYER''

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 1997

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I announce the 
passing of Attorney Jay B. White. Jay was a lifelong friend and a giant 
in the legal profession. Cleveland, OH, mourns the loss of one of her 
most distinguished sons, and a man who was one of the Nation's finest 
criminal defense lawyers. My wife, Jay, joins me in expressing our 
deepest sympathy to Jay's loving wife, Addye, and members of his 
family.
  A few days ago, on June 13, 1997, the Cleveland Bar Association 
honored Jay for 50 years as a practicing lawyer, an honor representing 
a very special milestone in his legal career. Jay and I were boyhood 
friends and I always knew that he would achieve great things. As a 
young man, he knew the value of perseverance and hard work.
  Jay was born in Cleveland and graduated from West Virginia State 
College. He earned his law degree from Western Reserve University Law 
School in 1946. After graduating, Jay began his law practice in 
Cleveland. At a time when law firms were not opening their doors to 
hire black lawyers, Jay was more determined than ever to succeed. He 
concentrated on representing persons charged with crimes and became an 
outstanding trial lawyer. It was in this capacity that he became one of 
the founders of the National Association of Defense Lawyers in Criminal 
Cases, which was founded in 1958 at Northwestern University Law School. 
He also served on its board for many years. Jay was a past president of 
the John Harlan Law Club and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
  Mr. Speaker, saying goodbye to those whom we hold dear is difficult. 
In the days ahead, I will miss my good friend, Jay White. Not only did 
we share a special friendship, but we also enjoyed a special bond 
through our marriages. It was Jay White who introduced me to my wife, 
Jay. In turn, she introduced Jay to Addye, his devoted wife of 33 
years. Jay's love of people garnered a host of friends and admirers all 
over the Nation who loved him and mourn the lost of their friend.
  I am proud to have been a lifelong friend of Attorney Jay B. White. 
Our thoughts and prayers are with Addye, their son, Jay B., daughter, 
Joy, Jay's brother, Reggie, and members of the White family during this 
difficult period. Jay was a very special individual who, with his 
unique personality, carved out his own niche in this community. He was 
unlike anyone else I have ever known. Jay will always be remembered in 
his own famous words, as ``America's finest lawyer.''

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