[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 184 (Friday, December 2, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2166-E2167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              A TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE LYDIA Y. KIRKLAND

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT A. BRADY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 2, 2011

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Honorable Lydia Y. Kirkland. For 25 years, Judge Kirkland has served on 
the Philadelphia Municipal Court, and on November 4, 2011 she 
celebrated her retirement after decades of service to her community.
  Judge Kirkland's roots run deep in Philadelphia. During the difficult 
days of American segregation, her grandparents and great grandparents 
were among the most accomplished business persons and clergy in 
Philadelphia. Indeed, her grandfather, Reverend Doctor James E. 
Kirkland pastured the Union Baptist Church, the congregation which gave 
the magnificent Marian Anderson to the world. Judge Kirkland's father, 
Rev. Joseph Kirkland was a renowned cleric and civil rights leader in 
his own right, having graduated Crozer Theological Seminary in my 
district. His classmate and friend at Crozer was The Reverend Doctor 
Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Judge Kirkland received both her Bachelor of Science and Juris 
Doctorate Degrees from Howard University in Washington, DC in 1974 and 
1977 respectively. In 1978 she was admitted into the Pennsylvania Bar. 
Judge Kirkland was an associate in the Law Office of retired City 
Councilwoman Augusta A. Clark from 1979-1980. She was a sole 
practitioner, serving the people of my district, from 1980-1985.
  Judge Kirkland was elected to the Philadelphia Municipal Court in 
1985. During her tenure she was elected Secretary of the Board of 
Judges. She distinguished herself on the bench, receiving the 2009 
Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Award, presented by the Barrister's 
Association of Philadelphia, and the Judge Doris M. Harris Image Award, 
presented by the National Bar Association Women Lawyer's Division--
Philadelphia Chapter and other awards. Judge Kirkland is the proud 
mother of two sons Joseph C. Cornell and Joel Kirkland Cornell.
  Judge Kirkland's long and impressive career showcases her commitment 
and service to her

[[Page E2167]]

community. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my other distinguished 
colleagues join me in thanking Judge Kirkland for her work and 
congratulate her on the occasion of her retirement.

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