[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 92 (Tuesday, June 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E958]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE INVESTITURE OF PRESIDING JUDGE HERBERT E. PHIPPS

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to 
extend my personal congratulations to a great friend and servant of 
humankind, Presiding Judge on the Court of Appeals of Georgia, Herbert 
E. Phipps. Judge Phipps will be recognized for his distinguished 
service and become formally invested as the 28th Chief Judge of the 
Court on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the State Judicial 
Building in Atlanta, Georgia.
  Judge Phipps was born in Baker County, Georgia to J.W. Phipps and 
Marion Gadson Phipps. Attending elementary and secondary school in 
Baker County and graduating from Morehouse College in 1964 with a 
Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Judge Phipps traveled 
extensively in Europe and Asia and taught English at Thammasatt 
University and private schools in Bangkok, Thailand. In 1971, he earned 
a Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of 
Law and in 2004, he was awarded a Master of Laws in the Judicial 
Process from the University of Virginia School of Law.
  In 1971, Judge Phipps returned to Albany, Georgia to practice law 
with famed civil rights attorney C.B. King, focusing on civil rights 
litigation and pursuing equal opportunity and justice for those who had 
been wronged on the basis of discrimination. Attorney C.B. King, for 
whom the Federal Courthouse in Albany is named, was not only a mentor 
to Judge Phipps and to me, but to countless other civil rights 
attorneys across the Nation. A successful attorney, strong civil rights 
leader, and one of the first African Americans to run for Governor of 
the State of Georgia, Attorney King paved the way for other African 
Americans such as Judge Phipps and me to serve in the elected positions 
we hold today. He was a bridge builder and the fruits of his labor are 
still seen all across our State and Nation.
  Following his time with Attorney King, Judge Phipps practiced law on 
his own and was appointed part-time Magistrate and Associate Judge of 
the Dougherty County State Court in 1980. In 1995, he was appointed 
Judge of the Dougherty County Superior Court by Governor Zell Miller, 
becoming the first African-American Superior Court judge in the 
Dougherty Judicial Circuit, and in 1999, Governor Roy Barnes appointed 
him to the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Since being appointed to the 
Court of Appeals, Judge Phipps has been reelected statewide for three 
consecutive six-year terms. In April 2010, Judge Phipps became 
Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeals and today he will assume the 
position of Chief Judge.
  Judge Phipps' diligent work in the community has reflected his 
commitment to volunteer service. In conjunction with his professional 
accomplishments, Judge Phipps has served on a number of boards and 
commissions, has been involved with many legal and professional 
organizations, and has received many awards for his service. He also 
lives a life of faith and is a longtime member of Bethel A.M.E. Church 
in Albany.
  None of Judge Phipps' momentous accomplishments would have been 
possible without the enduring love and support of his wife Connie, 
children Herbert and India, son-in-law Will J. Epps and granddaughter 
Zoe Olivia Epps.
  A true Georgian devoted to serving his great State, Judge Phipps 
embodies Georgia's state motto, ``Wisdom, Justice and Moderation.'' I 
know that Judge Phipps will continue to serve our state with great 
honor and distinction.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Judge Herbert 
E. Phipps for his outstanding professional achievements and dedicated 
service to the people of the State of Georgia as he assumes the 
prestigious title of Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of the State 
of Georgia.

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