[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E800-E801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW'S MOOT COURT TEAM FOR 
      WINNING THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor excellence in 
education as I congratulate the Howard University School of Law's Mock 
Trial Team for their outstanding performance in the American Bar 
Association Mock Trial Competition--besting Harvard Law School and 6 
other highly-regarded law schools in this venerable contest.
  This competition is designed to showcase the dedication and talent of 
law school students from across the country. Without question, the 
Howard University students displayed a great deal of both in their 
victorious efforts.
  The Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy Team made history on April 2, 2005, 
becoming the first team representing a historically black college or 
university to take overall first place in the competition.
  The team of 20 students sent four bright young scholars to the 
competition: team captain, Derrick Simmons, along with Adonna 
Bannister, Nisha Brooks and Chris Stewart. Mr. Stewart also won the 
title of ``Best Advocate'' during this year's competition.
  Mock Trial Court Competitions are an opportunity for law school 
students to demonstrate their skills as advocates in a court setting.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that the team from my Alma Mater took 
on the challenge of an esteemed national competition and used it as an 
opportunity to excel.
  I was a member of the Mock Trial Team when I was in law school at the 
University of Maryland, so I know first-hand of the serious dedication, 
hard work and countless hours of preparation that is required to 
effectively demonstrate a command of the law, rules of evidence, and 
procedure.
  Howard University's victory represents the very best in effort and 
education. I commend Kurt Schmoke, the Dean of the Howard University 
School of Law, and Patrick Swygert, the President of Howard University, 
for fostering an atmosphere of excellence in which students can 
succeed.

[[Page E801]]

  Mr. Speaker, becoming a member of the Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy 
Team is one of the highest honors a Howard law student can earn. The 
Team is named for Huver I. Brown, an African American attorney who in 
1939 sued the District of Columbia Bar Association to gain access to 
the District of Columbia Bar Association Law Library.
  During a trial, the presiding judge asked Attorney Brown to provide 
legal support for an argument he made. Because at that time only white 
attorneys were allowed to use the law library, African American 
attorneys had to skillfully argue without the aid of legal precedent.
  In his suit, Attorney Brown asserted that a private bar group could 
not deny black lawyers access to the law library because it was located 
in a federal courthouse. Therefore, the denial of access was 
unconstitutional. In 1941, the lawsuit was settled, and African 
Americans were allowed access to the library.
  In winning that lawsuit, Huver I. Brown achieved a phenomenal victory 
for the entire country and generations yet unborn.
  Mr. Speaker, the impressive win by Huver I. Brown students at the 
national ABA Mock Trial Competition this year is a testament to their 
commitment of honoring the legacy for which the team is named.
  The victory is also a solid confirmation of the recognition of Howard 
University as a national power. Such success is worthy of our 
admiration and praise.
  Let the triumph of the Huver I. Brown students remind us of the rich 
tradition of African American excellence in the mastery of law. I look 
forward to meeting these future Thurgood Marshalls and Johnnie Cochrans 
one day, here in the halls of our nation's Capitol, where they would 
clearly serve well.
  Again, I congratulate the members of Howard University School of 
Law's Trial Advocacy Team on their victory over Harvard Law School in 
the American Bar Association Mock Trial Competition.

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