[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 144 (Tuesday, November 13, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING MR. CRAIG ANTHONY WASHINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2012

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize Mr. Craig Anthony Washington, an accomplished attorney and 
elected official from Houston, Texas. Mr. Washington is being inducted 
into the State Bar of Texas Legal Legends Project this month for his 
exemplary contributions to the legal profession and the pursuit of 
equal justice under the law.
  The Texas Legal Legends Project recognizes exceptional lawyers who 
have worked to uphold the integrity of the courts, and to honor those 
who have exceeded their professional obligations to ensure fair and 
thorough advocacy. Mr. Washington has been tireless in his efforts to 
defend those without a voice in our legal system by challenging 
discriminatory practices.
  Craig Washington was born in Longview, Texas. He grew up in Houston 
and, after high school, enrolled in Prairie View A&M University at the 
age of 16 with the high hopes of becoming a dentist. Mr. Washington had 
charisma and determination even at a young age, and he managed to 
convince the dean into accepting him into the law school program with 
future plans to transfer into dentistry. Instead, his passion for law 
dominated his academic career. Four years later, he would graduate with 
honors and become the assistant dean and an assistant professor of law 
at his alma mater.
  Mr. Washington's tenure as a legislator, first in the Texas House, 
the Texas Senate, and then in the U.S. House of Representatives, was 
distinguished by this same unwavering devotion to the underserved and 
his constituents. He was known and respected for his expert knowledge 
of criminal law throughout his public service in the Texas House, Texas 
Senate and in the U.S. Congress. As a lawmaker, he proved to be a 
commanding orator and political strategist, and no legislation 
regarding the criminal justice system was passed without his review and 
expert analysis.
  Mr. Speaker, it is rare to find an individual who is both passionate 
about affecting positive social change and improving the lives of so 
many. He is a tremendous criminal defense lawyer as well as an American 
analytical genius, and I stand today on this floor where he stood many 
years ago to salute Mr. Washington. I am proud to call him my friend.