[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         HONORING HUGH GOODWIN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor 
Hugh Goodwin upon being honored with the ``Trail Blazers Award'' by the 
African American Museum. Mr. Goodwin will be honored at the African 
American History Month Celebration and Banquet on Saturday, February 
6th, 2010 in Fresno, California.
  Mr. Hugh Wesley Goodwin, Sr. was born on May 6, 1921 to James and 
Anna Goodwin. He was the youngest of seven children. The family settled 
in Steelton, Pennsylvania where his father worked both as a steel 
worker and a Baptist minister. Mr. Goodwin served in the military 
during World War II. Upon his discharge he graduated from Harvard Law 
School and moved to California to practice law.
  Mr. Goodwin was the first African American lawyer and judge in Fresno 
County. He opened his law practice in Fresno during the early 1950's. 
In 1957 Mr. Goodwin married Frances Jones. Together they raised four 
children; Hugh, Paul, Anna and Tom.
  Over the next fifty years, Mr. Goodwin continuously advocated for 
disadvantaged people and challenged the racial boundaries at the time. 
Through his perseverance and advocacy, he earned a wide range of 
respect from his peers, as well as members of the community. Mr. 
Goodwin was very active in the community. He was a member of the Equal 
Opportunities Commission Legal Council and volunteered at the Fresno 
Rescue Mission. Mr. Goodwin served as President of the Fresno Black 
Caucus and President of the West Fresno Little League. After the little 
league games, Mr. Goodwin would take the scores and highlights to The 
Fresno Bee to be published in the paper the next day. He was a devout 
Christian; he attended Second Baptist Church and served many years as a 
deacon and a Sunday school teacher.
  In 1976, Mr. Goodwin was appointed to the municipal court bench in 
Fresno County. While serving on the bench, he gained national attention 
when he sentenced convicted defendants to church rather than serving 
jail time or paying fines. Throughout the controversy, he remained 
committed to his beliefs. Mr. Goodwin returned to private practice in 
1978 and remained practicing until 1996. Mr. Goodwin passed away in 
2004.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Hugh Goodwin. I 
invite my colleagues to join me in honoring his life and wishing the 
best for his family.

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