[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2549-E2550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF HARLEM'S BELOVED THORNTON J. MEACHAM, JR., ESQ. 
  A TRAILBLAZER FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS, LAWYERS AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise with great pride as I pay tribute 
to my dear friend

[[Page E2550]]

and life-long buddy, Thornton J. Meacham, Jr., Esq., as we celebrate 
one of Harlem's greatest legal advocates at the great Cathedral of 
Riverside Church in Harlem today. As I speak with profound honor and 
respect for my friend Thornton, I ascend to celebrate a life well-lived 
and to also remember the many legal professional accomplishments of 
this remarkable man. Thornton Meacham etched his name in history as a 
passionate and dedicated legal advocate for all African-American 
lawyers and legal professionals throughout this city and Nation.
  Thornton's death on October 4, 2009, brought immense sorrow and loss 
to me, his family, his friends, and to the countless lives he touched 
over the years in our beloved community. I am blessed to say that I was 
able to have spent some time with Thornton during his final days. As we 
said our goodbyes, he left in my heart a reminder of all the many 
exciting moments of his life and all of the good times we shared 
together. He was undisputedly one of Harlem's greatest lawyers, largely 
responsible for blacks being admitted to the New York Bar Association. 
This strong-willed and exciting man represented Harlem in all of its 
glory, and we are all consumed by his passing.
  Thornton J. Meacham, Jr. was born on March 10, 1917 in Terrell, 
Arkansas as the first son to Dr. Thornton J. Meacham and Lila Celesta. 
His younger brother, Dr. Henry Wade Meacham, who also had an 
outstanding professional career passed away in 2004. After the family 
moved to Jackson, Tennessee, Thornton attended public school and 
graduated from Lane College. Upon his graduation from college, Thornton 
was accepted to attend law school at Harvard University, Columbia 
University and New York University, but chose to attend Fordham 
University, thus becoming the second African American to attend Fordham 
University and the first to graduate from its Law School in 1942.
  Just a few years ago, we all celebrated Thornton's 66th Anniversary 
of his graduation from Fordham Law School. He loved Fordham Law and 
dedicated his entire life to helping young aspiring jurists succeed.
  Admitted to the Bar in 1943, Thornton set the mark that raised the 
bar for all of us. He was the first Black attorney to join the legal 
staff of the Office of Price Stabilization on Broadway in New York; 
first to argue a case before the United States Court of Appeals for the 
Second Circuit; first African American to be featured on the cover of 
The New York Law Journal; first to try both criminal and civil cases in 
the Bronx and Queens County Courts; and the first to open a law 
practice in Harlem.
  Thornton always spoke of his experiences in the 1950s when the New 
York City Bar Association refused him membership due to his race. 
During segregation, he tried and won cases in Florida, North Carolina, 
Virginia and New Jersey. He represented Hulan Jack, Congressman Adam C. 
Powell, Dorothy Dandridge, Louis Armstrong, Bessie Buchanan, Mile 
Davis, the NAACP and Carver National Bank--a legacy of history that 
makes us all proud to be Americans.
  Thornton Meacham was Counsel to the law offices of Assemblyman 
William T. Andrews, Judge Harold Stevens and Attorney John Briggs. He 
later became a Law Partner to Judge Thomas Dickens. Thornton, along 
with some of Harlem's elite class of attorneys, co-founded the Harlem 
Lawyers Association, which later merged into the Metropolitan Black Bar 
Association.
  Thornton Meacham was a very active member of the National Bar 
Association (NBA) and was acknowledged as a legal dignitary by the 
organization on several occasions. He was a recipient of the NBA Wiley 
A. Branton Issues Award and in 1994, he was inducted into the 
prestigious National Black Association Hall of Fame, which recognizes 
lawyers who have practiced for over 40 years and have made significant 
contributions to the cause of justice. Thornton was a member of the 
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Williams Institutional Christian 
Methodist Episcopal Church in Harlem.
  Meacham's extraordinary accomplishments as a revered legal 
professional exemplified the pioneering leadership of many through his 
commitment and exemplary service to the legal community. He will long 
be remembered for his extraordinary commitment, humor, liveliness, 
energy, wisdom, discipline, principle and clear purpose which won the 
admiration of all who were privileged to come to know and work with him 
during his distinguished career.
  Madam Speaker, I consider myself fortunate to have had the 
opportunity to observe and experience his example as a personal 
inspiration. Though Thornton is no longer with us, we will continue to 
keep his memory alive in our hearts and minds, and continue to honor 
his legacy with our advocacy for the issues he cared about the most.

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