[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 21 (Thursday, February 10, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REMEMBERING VIRGINIA'S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CHIEF JUSTICE LEROY R. 
                              HASSELL, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ERIC CANTOR

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2011

  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished life 
and achievements of the Honorable Leroy R. Hassell, Sr., former Chief 
Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, who passed away this week at 
the very young age of 55. While he left us in the prime of his life, 
his compassion and commitment to justice will leave a lasting 
impression on the judicial system and the world beyond the bench.
  A Norfolk native, he grew up in Broad Creek and attended Norview High 
School. He graduated from the University of Virginia and earned his law 
degree from Harvard Law School. He then returned to Richmond where he 
quickly rose through the ranks to become partner at McGuire Woods, one 
of Virginia's largest law firms.
  After graduating from William and Mary Law School and passing the 
Virginia bar, I remember when Governor Gerald Baliles nominated him to 
the Virginia Supreme Court in 1989. At the age of 34, Justice Hassell 
became the second African American justice on the court after John 
Charles Thomas. In 2002, his colleagues elected him to serve as Chief 
Justice, making him Virginia's first African American Chief Justice. 
Remarkably, he was the first leader of the high court chosen by his 
peers rather than through seniority. At the time, he was also the 
youngest serving member of the court.
  Chief Justice Hassell always had a great love of law. He was a man of 
faith and deep personal convictions. He cared deeply about the people 
of the Commonwealth and was passionate about helping others. He was a 
tireless advocate for the poor and the mentally ill and fought hard to 
make the courts more accessible and more equitable.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in remembering Justice Hassell, a 
lifelong public servant and powerful voice for all Virginians.

                          ____________________