[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 148 (Friday, November 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICE WILLIAM COUSINS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. RUSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay special tribute to the 
distinguished life and career of the Honorable William Cousins, Jr., 
Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. A scholar, patriot, and 
gentleman, Justice Cousins has never rested in the ivory tower that his 
distinguished academic and professional achievements could afford him. 
Instead, he has chosen at every stage of his life, to use his 
tremendous gifts to engage and serve his country, city, and community 
in the pursuit of social justice. He is truly a source of inspiration 
not only for the residents of the 1st Illinois Congressional District, 
but for all Americans everywhere.
  Born on October 6, 1927 in Swifton, Mississippi, Justice Cousins 
moved to Chicago where he graduated from DuSable High School in 1945. 
After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1945 with honors in 
Political Science, and Harvard Law School in 1951, Justice Cousins 
answered the patriotic call to duty and served in the United States 
Army from 1951 through 1948 as a combat Infantry 2d and 1st Lieutenant 
during the Korean conflict. He would continue on in his military 
service until 1975, when he retired from the United States Army Reserve 
Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel.
  While serving his country in the military, Justice Cousins began to 
build an impressive, multifaceted legal career as an attorney with 
Chicago Title & Trust Company. He then went on to serve as an Assistant 
State Attorney of Cook County, Illinois before going into private 
practice. Justice Cousin was then elected Alderman for Chicago's 8th 
Ward. He served as a Circuit Court Judge of Cook County, Illinois from 
1976 until his election in 1992 to the Illinois Appellate Court. His 
tenure on the Illinois Appellate Court includes service as Chairman of 
the Executive Committee, First Appellate District, Presiding Justice of 
the First District, 3d Division and 2d Division, and Chair for the 
Illinois Appellate Judges Annual Meeting. He was appointed by the 
Illinois Supreme Court as a member of the Executive Committee of the 
Illinois Judicial Conference since 1983 and was appointed Chairman of 
the Illinois Judicial Conference from 1989 to 1990. Justice Cousins is 
also a member of the Special Supreme Court Committee on Capital Cases.
  Aside from his distinguished legal career, Justice Cousins has lent 
his immense talents to several civic organizations by serving as a 
board member of the Citizens' School Committee, Parkway House as well 
as the Chicago Area Planned Parenthood Association. He was also 
president of Chatham-Avalon Park Community Council, and is a founding 
member and former Board Member of PUSH. Justice Cousin is a Deacon at 
Lincoln Memorial Congregational United Church of Christ, and was an 
Assistant Moderator and former member of the Executive Council of the 
United Church of Christ. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity 
and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
  Justice Cousins' status as a pillar of civic and professional 
responsibility has not gone unrecognized, as he has been honored by 
well over one dozen organizations. It is only fitting that Justice 
Cousins be recognized and honored by the United States Congress.

                          ____________________