[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF JUDGE EARL B. GILLIAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2001

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to say a few words in the 
memory of one of the outstanding jurists of our nation who passed away 
on January 28, 2001, after a long illness. The Honorable Earl B. 
Gilliam served on the United States District Court for the Southern 
District of California, which includes the 50th Congressional District 
that I represent.
  Judge Gilliam was born on August 17, 1931, in Clovis, New Mexico, and 
spent his early years in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a boy, he moved to 
San Diego, California with his family where he attended local primary 
and secondary schools before graduating from San Diego High School and 
later San Diego State University, with a business degree, in 1953.
  Judge Gilliam's many years of distinguished service to the legal 
community began in 1957 when, having just graduated from Hastings 
College of Law, he was admitted to the California Bar and appointed 
Deputy District Attorney for the County of San Diego. In 1961, he 
started his own general practice, and two years later Judge Gilliam was 
appointed to the Municipal Court, becoming the first African-American 
to sit on the San Diego bench. In 1971, Judge Gilliam became the 
Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court, and in 1975 he was elevated to 
the Superior Court by California Governor Jerry Brown. Five years 
later, President Jimmy Carter appointed him to serve on the United 
States District Court for the Southern District of California.
  In his long and distinguished career, Judge Gilliam presided over 
numerous noteworthy trials of regional and national importance. Whether 
these cases dealt with drug trafficking, fraud, tax evasion, bribery or 
civil matters, Judge Gilliam's fair and professional approach to the 
law laid the foundation for his solid reputation both within and 
outside the legal community.
  In 1969, Western State School of Law in San Diego (presently known as 
Thomas Jefferson School of Law) recruited Judge Gilliam as an adjunct 
professor. With a background in business administration, economics, 
civil and criminal law, and trial practice, Judge Gilliam proved to be 
an inspirational and devoted instructor for the Contracts, Torts, 
Criminal Law, Trusts, Community Property and Trial Practice courses.
  In civic activities, Judge Gilliam actively promoted the value of 
education for youth, for women, and for his fellow lawyers. He 
generously gave time and effort to his community in countless ways. He 
served on the boards of numerous civic, professional and charitable 
organizations, including the YMCA, the Urban League, the Salvation 
Army, Western State University and the University of California at San 
Diego.
  The community in turn, has repeatedly acknowledged his contributions. 
He was named Young Man of the Year by the San Diego Junior Chamber of 
Commerce in 1965 and Golden Man of the Year in 1981. In 1982 he was 
honored twice--he was the recipient of the prestigious Trial Judge of 
the Year award by the San Diego Trial Lawyer's Association and San 
Diego's African American Lawyer's Organization honored him by changing 
its name to the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association. Judge Gilliam was 
named Legal Professional of the Year in 1994 by the City Club and 
Chamber of Commerce and in 1995 he earned the Sharp Hospital 
Foundation's Eagle Spirit Award and the NAACP's Civil Rights Pioneer 
Award.
  Mr. Speaker, we have lost not only one of our nation's great legal 
minds but a true friend who contributed so much to so many. He will be 
truly missed.

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