[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 194 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE OF AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF JUDGE HOSEA T. ``H.T.'' 
                                LOCKARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 16, 2011

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Judge H.T. 
Lockard, born Hosea T. Lockard on June 24, 1920. Judge Lockard was a 
civil rights leader, hero and pioneer who fought alongside giants to 
bring racial equality to Memphis, Tennessee and the surrounding area. 
He grew up on a small farm near Henning, Tennessee before deciding to 
attend LeMoyne College in Memphis in 1940.
  Prior to completing his studies at LeMoyne College, Mr. Lockard chose 
to postpone his education to serve his country in the Army Medical 
Corps during World War II which included three and half years in North 
Africa, Italy, France and Germany. After his discharge in 1945, he 
continued his studies at Sorbonne University in Paris before returning 
to LeMoyne where he attained his bachelor's degree in 1947. After 
finishing at LeMoyne, H.T. Lockard was not allowed to attend a 
Tennessee law school due to segregation. Undeterred by challenges he 
faced in Tennessee, he pursued his Juris Doctorate by attending Lincoln 
University Law School in St. Louis, Missouri where he graduated in 
1950. While in law school, H.T. Lockard observed that conditions for 
African-Americans in St. Louis were far better than those in Tennessee. 
After much debate, he made the tough decision to move back to Memphis 
where he began practicing law and working with the National Association 
of the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, to improve race relations 
in Memphis.
  Mr. Lockard once recalled how at a NAACP meeting, the topics of 
police brutality and segregation in public facilities were like music 
to his ears. He said, ``. . . Good music, because that's what I wanted 
to get involved in and help bring about the change . . . I was ready to 
roll up my sleeves and go and ready to tackle anything that needed to 
be tackled.'' In 1955, he assumed the presidency of the Memphis Branch 
of the NAACP and served in that position until 1958. H.T. Lockard 
headed up their legal committee and contributed to national efforts. 
During this time, H.T. Lockard was joined by Russell Sugarmon, Vasco 
and Maxine Smith, Jesse Turner, Billy Kyles and the late Benjamin Hooks 
and A.W. Willis. Together, these stalwarts of the civil rights movement 
fought for and won many victories including desegregating Memphis 
Street Railway Co., public buildings, restaurants and the University of 
Memphis, formerly Memphis State University.
  H.T. Lockard broke significant barriers and paved the way for future 
African-American politicians in Memphis. In 1964, Mr. Lockard became 
the first African-American to hold elective office in Shelby County by 
being elected to the Shelby County Quarterly Court, now known as the 
County Commission. He then became active in local African-American 
political clubs and played a key role behind the scenes as an advisor 
on civil rights issues to President Lyndon B. Johnson. H.T. Lockard was 
appointed to serve as Administrative Assistant to Tennessee Governor 
Buford Ellington from 1967-1971 thereby becoming the first African-
American cabinet member in the State of Tennessee. In 1975, H.T. 
Lockard became a Criminal Court judge and served until 1994.
  Judge Lockard later served as a board member of the National Civil 
Rights Museum in Memphis from 1989-1999. He gave much of his time to 
the Memphis Charter Commission, a non-partisan group that reviewed the 
city Charter and made recommendations for changes to be presented to 
the citizens of Memphis through voter referendums. Mr. Lockard was 
awarded the Benjamin L. Hooks Award by the Memphis Bar Foundation in 
2010 in recognition of his lifelong commitment to social justice and 
his prominence on the national stage.
  Some of his closest colleagues and friends recounted his dedication 
to the civil rights movement while he was a lawyer and president of the 
NAACP. The late Vasco Smith, a former Shelby County Commissioner, said 
``. . . Lockard was pretty much the whole show. He did an outstanding 
job, and he probably laid the foundation for a lot of things that 
happened later on.'' His wife, Maxine Smith, a former executive 
secretary of the Memphis Branch of the NAACP described him as the inner 
circle of the civil rights movement in Memphis. Former General Sessions 
Court Judge Russell Sugarmon commented on H.T. Lockard saying ``When he 
put his mind to something, he was a plow. He dug in and dug in and 
wouldn't let up . . . If Lockard was on the other side, you'd better be 
prepared.''
  Judge Lockard was an exceptional judge, leader and gentleman. I had 
the pleasure of meeting him in 1970 when he and I supported Senator 
Stan Snodgrass for Tennessee governor. In addition to the legacy he 
leaves behind, I will remember Judge Lockard for his service to the 
community and his dedication to the bench. As an admirer of classic 
cars, I will also remember his convertible Thunderbird.
  Judge Hosea T. ``H.T.'' Lockard passed away on December 12, 2011 at 
91 years of age. He leaves to memory his wife of 49 years, Ida Walker 
Lockard; three brothers, Emmitt Lockard, Albert Lockard Jr. and Lorenza 
Lockard; and one sister, Lydia Morgan. Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my 
colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Judge H.T. Lockard. Judge 
H.T. Lockard will be remembered by many. His was a life well lived.

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