[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO MISSOURI SUPREME COURT JUDGE GEORGE W. DRAPER, ACCLAIMED 
                  JURIST, PROSECUTOR, AND CIVIC LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 2012

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
American--a remarkable trial attorney, prosecutor, circuit and 
appellate judge, and most recently, the newest member of the Missouri 
Supreme Court, my dear friend and constituent, the Honorable Judge 
George W. Draper. Late last year, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon appointed 
Judge Draper to the Missouri Supreme Court after 17 years on the bench 
and 10 years in the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's office. He is only the 
second African American to serve on Missouri's high court. During his 
27 years of public service, Judge Draper has demonstrated a dedication 
to justice and to serving the people of Missouri.
  Those decades of experience and his legal acumen will serve him well 
on the Missouri Supreme Court. While serving on the Missouri Court of 
Appeals, Judge Draper heard a variety of civil and criminal appeals and 
authored several hundred opinions. He served as Chief Judge of the 
Court of Appeals from 2005 to 2006. Prior to his appointment to the 
appellate court, Judge Draper served first as an associate circuit 
judge from 1994 to 1998, and then as a circuit judge from 1998 to 2000 
in St. Louis County. While serving as a prosecutor with the St. Louis 
Circuit Attorney's Office from 1984 to 1994, Judge Draper prosecuted 
numerous major felony cases and worked closely with law enforcement.
  A graduate of Howard University School of Law, Judge Draper obtained 
his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta. Judge 
Draper has been active in several bar associations, including the Mound 
City Bar Association and the Missouri Bar Association, and has been 
supportive of the Missouri Asian Bar Association, as well as being an 
active member of Covenant Community Church.
  Mr. Speaker, I have been blessed to know Judge George W. Draper and 
his wonderful family for more than three decades. His dedication to the 
law, to his State, and to the community that I represent is legendary. 
He is truly worthy of receiving this special congressional recognition.

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