[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 152 (Tuesday, October 29, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF THE HONORABLE JUDGE JOHN D. ALLEN

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 29, 2013

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to 
extend my personal congratulations and best wishes to a great friend 
and servant of humankind, Judge John D. Allen, Chief Judge of the 
Chattahoochee Circuit of the Third Superior Court District of Georgia. 
Judge Allen will be recognized by the Columbus Bar Association for his 
distinguished service on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, at the Columbus 
Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, Georgia. He will be retiring 
on Thursday, October 31, 2013.
  Judge Allen was born on January 17, 1943 in segregated Columbus, 
Georgia. It seemed like all the odds were against him of one day 
becoming a Superior Court Judge. Despite the lack of black role models 
in the law as he was growing up, Judge Allen kept education as his main 
priority. He graduated from Tuskegee University in 1966 with a 
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
  A distinguished cadet in the ROTC, Judge Allen was commissioned into 
the Air Force in 1966 as a 2nd Lieutenant Pilot. He completed Advanced 
Survival Training in 1967, and he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant/
Tactical Fighter Pilot in 1968. Upon completion of course, he was 
assigned to Southeast Asia and flew 167 combat missions while stationed 
in Thailand. After promotions to Tactical Aircraft Commander, then to 
Captain, Judge Allen flew another 127 combat missions in Southeast Asia 
before returning to Tampa, Florida and serving as an academic and 
flight instructor until his discharge in July of 1973. He left the Air 
Force as a highly decorated pilot, earning 23 Air Medals, 2 Air Force 
Commendation Medals, and numerous other awards for his service during 
the Vietnam War.
  In 1975, Judge Allen earned a Juris Doctor from the University of 
Florida. He was admitted to the Georgia bar in 1976. From 1976 to 1987, 
he maintained a private law practice in the Columbus area. At that 
time, Judge Allen and I were two of only four black lawyers in 
Columbus.
  Judge Allen continued to break barriers when he began serving as a 
Columbus Recorder's Court judge for a year before assuming a position 
on the State Court for Muscogee County in 1987. In 1993, he was 
appointed to the position of Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Superior 
Court Judge. He has been re-elected repeatedly since his appointment.
  Judge Allen's diligent judicial service has also been mirrored by his 
extensive involvement with the local and state communities. In 
conjunction with his professional accomplishments in the Air Force and 
on the bench, Judge Allen has served on a number of boards and 
commissions, most notably as Chairman of the Judicial Qualifications 
Commission, and has received many awards and accolades for his service. 
Judge Allen's contributions to the Columbus area and the state of 
Georgia have even earned him recognition from the Columbus Ledger-
Enquirer as one of ``100 People to Remember for the Century.''
  None of Judge Allen's momentous accomplishments would have been 
possible without the enduring love and support of his wife Victoria; 
children John Jr., Geoffrey, and Kevin; and grandchildren John Ill and 
Carson.
  A true Georgian devoted to serving his great state, Judge Allen 
embodies Georgia's state motto, ``Wisdom, Justice and Moderation.'' 
Judge Allen is a man of great integrity who sets a high standard of 
values that make for a strong foundation of character in himself and in 
others. On a personal note, I would like to thank Judge Allen for his 
friendship, advice and counsel over the years. His wisdom and sage 
advice have contributed immensely to my success. For that I will always 
be grateful.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me, my wife Vivian, and the 
more than 700,000 residents of Georgia's Second Congressional District 
in honoring Judge John D. Allen for his outstanding professional 
achievements and dedicated service to his country and to the people of 
the state of Georgia as he retires from his position as Chief Judge of 
the Chattahoochee Circuit of the Third Superior Court District of 
Georgia.

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