[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 91 (Friday, July 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF JEAN MURRELL CAPERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor retired Judge Jean 
Murrell Capers with The Black Professionals Association Charitable 
Foundation Life Achievement Award. She has led a life of dynamic public 
service in the city of Cleveland for 87 years, and we are blessed that 
she continues to do so.
  Judge Capers was born and raised in the same Cleveland neighborhood. 
From her early years, her remarkable talent and dedication shone. At 
Central High School, she was an exceptional athlete in basketball, 
swimming and tennis. She graduated with honors and started college at 
age 16. After earning her degree from Western Reserve University's 
School of Education, she returned to the Cleveland public school system 
to teach elementary students for several years. Her starting salary in 
1932 and $79.32 per month.
  In order to serve her community in a leadership role, she ran for 
Cleveland City Council and won a seat. Her dedication to public service 
then led her to earn her juris doctorate from John Marshall School of 
Law by going to school at night. This education helped her to be a more 
effective city council member. Not only on council, but in her daily 
workday, she persevered to help individuals in Cleveland. Her long list 
of clients kept her much busier than most of colleagues. Judge Capers 
came to the aid of many people who needed her help, especially those 
who could not afford to pay her much.
  In 1960, she became an assistant Attorney General. After that term, 
she became special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General from 1964 to 
1966. Judge Capers was one of the original members of the Women's 
Advisory Council of the Women's Division at the Ohio Bureau of 
Employment Services. For this exceptional record, Governor James Rhodes 
appointed her to Municipal Court Judge in 1977. She then served an 
additional six year term when she was elected to the position in 1979.
  In addition to her outstanding career of public service, she worked 
to help others through other activities. Judge Capers founded and 
helped organize political groups whose purpose was to increase the 
status of women regardless of race or political persuasion. She 
provided encouragement and guidance as a mentor to many public servants 
in Ohio, other states and in other nations.
  In 1995, Judge Capers was recognized in the John Marshall School of 
Law's Centennial in the film: Four Decades of African American 
Leadership. She is also featured in the book Rebels in Law: Voices in 
History of Black Women Lawyers, by J. Clay Smith Jr. She is highlighted 
as a lawyer who is a leader in her community. Judge Capers was inducted 
into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 1998.
  Today, at age 87, retired Judge Capers continues to help young 
people, especially women, and mentor them in their career choices. We 
thank her for being an inspiration to numerous people in their 
formative years and in public service. As only the fifth person to 
receive this prestigious Life Achievement Award, we humbly honor Judge 
Capers for her extraordinary dedication to our community.

                          ____________________