[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JUDGE ISIAH COURTNEY SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 21, 2012

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of an outstanding human being. Isiah Courtney Smith, a 
former judge, pioneer and, personal friend of mine, passed away on 
February 29, 2012 at the age of 89.
  Judge Smith, also known to many as ``I.C.'' was born on September 15, 
1922 in Lake Helen, Florida. In 1940, after graduating from Euclid High 
School in Deland, he went on to enroll at Florida A&M College, where I 
also attended law school. Judge Smith's education at Florida A&M was 
interrupted by World War II, when he volunteered and was assigned to an 
intake facility near Raiford. It was at this facility where Judge Smith 
demonstrated his first acts of courage by marching through a segregated 
camp to inform the white officers of his resignation. A year later, 
Judge Smith was officially drafted. After his service, Judge Smith 
returned to his studies and graduated with a degree in history. At this 
point, he had also met and fallen in love with Henrietta Mays and 
together they moved to New York while Judge Smith attended Brooklyn Law 
School. They were married on January 1, 1949.
  In 1954, Judge Smith received his law degree and started a practice 
with his college friend William Holland. This partnership would be the 
catalyst for the civil rights movement in Palm Beach County. Judge 
Smith lived in a time where there were many barriers to social mobility 
for those of color. Institutionalized discrimination prevented many 
African Americans in this country from reaching their potential, but my 
dear friend Judge Smith possessed skills and abilities that could not 
be suppressed and that he used to fight for the civil rights of others.
  As the third African American lawyer in Palm Beach County, Judge 
Smith was well aware of the injustices occurring in his community. He 
became a champion of civil rights and was a voice for those who were 
treated as second class citizens based on the color of their skin. 
Judge Smith and his partner William Holland orchestrated the movement 
to desegregate Palm Beach County's public schools after the Supreme 
Court's ruling of ``separate but equal'' being unconstitutional was 
largely ignored throughout the county. In his own words, Judge Smith 
wisely stated that: ``Nothing separate can ever be equal''--a sentiment 
that I strongly agree with. In addition to his quest for equal access 
to public education, Judge Smith and Mr. Holland fought together to 
integrate the West Palm Beach municipal golf course and to eliminate 
separate eating and bathroom facilities on Florida's turnpike. It is 
hard to fathom the amount of courage required to combat bigotry and 
hatred, but Judge Smith faced these challenges head-on and spent his 
life taking a stand against those who sought to keep the status quo.
  After spending many years in a successful private practice with Mr. 
Holland, he was appointed as a Palm Beach County Court judge in 1986 by 
Governor Bob Graham. During his time on the bench, Judge Smith was 
known for his professionalism. After serving in this capacity for six 
years, he retired at the age of 70.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to offer my 
sincere condolences to all those who have been impacted by the loss of 
such a great man. My thoughts are with Judge Smith's wife Dr. Henrietta 
Smith, their two children Robin Smith and Reverend Cynthia Smith 
Jackson, and all of their family and friends during this most difficult 
time. I was truly honored to have known Judge Smith. He was a 
tremendous individual whose commitment to bettering South Florida, and 
working selflessly to ensure equal rights for all Americans will never 
be forgotten.

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