[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING HENRY RAMSEY JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 6, 2014

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary life of Henry Ramsey, Jr., former Alameda County judge, 
member of the Berkeley City Council and dean of Howard University's law 
school. Known throughout the Bay Area and the nation for his dedication 
to civil rights and justice, Mr. Ramsey has left an indelible mark on 
our national discourse. With his passing on March 14, 2014, we look to 
the outstanding quality of his life's work and the inspiring role he 
played in the fight for social justice.
  Henry Ramsey, Jr., moved to California to pursue an undergraduate 
degree, becoming one of the first African-Americans to graduate from 
the University of California, Riverside in 1960. After receiving his 
law degree a few years later from the University of California, 
Berkeley, Mr. Ramsey started his career at the Contra Costa County 
District Attorney's office. Once again, he broke racial barriers being 
among the first African American prosecutors hired in the office.
  Throughout the 1970s, Henry Ramsey, Jr. was a member of the faculty 
at Boalt Hall. During this time, he also served on the Berkeley City 
Council, working to ensure the growth and innovation for the City of 
Berkeley. Later, Mr. Ramsey was appointed to the Alameda County 
Superior Court bench before serving as dean of Howard University's 
School of Law from 1990 to 1996.
  Throughout Mr. Ramsey's career, he was acutely aware of the role the 
judicial system played in the fight for equality and justice. He 
represented those who could not obtain representation, including 
members of the Black Panthers. Mr. Ramsey was committed to helping 
others, especially youth and seniors, and to giving back to his 
community.
  Mr. Ramsey was keenly committed to education, ethics reform and the 
rule of law, serving as chairperson of the Law School Admission 
Council's bar passage student committee and the American Bar 
Association (ABA) section of legal education and admissions to the bar. 
He also served as a member on the ABA Commission on Evaluation of the 
Rules of Professional Conduct as well as on Ethics and Professional 
Responsibility.
  Throughout his prolific career, Henry Ramsey, Jr. received various 
accolades for his outstanding achievements. Mr. Ramsey was honored with 
Boalt Hall School of Law's Citation Award, the highest honor 
recognizing a distinguished graduate. In 2000, he was the recipient of 
the Robert J. Kutak Award for promoting understanding between legal 
education and the active practice of law.
  I met Henry in the early 1970's. I knew immediately that he was a 
force to be reckoned with and recognized that he understood that 
``power concedes nothing without demand.'' Yet even with his brilliance 
and bold work for racial and economic justice, he had a gentle and kind 
spirit, counseling my dear beloved friend, the late Beth Meador, and me 
on Black political empowerment and why we must get and stay involved in 
politics. Judge Ramsey's spirit and legacy will continue to soar and 
inspire young people as he inspired me and Beth to fight the good 
fight.
  Today, California's 13th Congressional District salutes and honors an 
outstanding individual, Henry Ramsey, Jr. As a distinguished Alameda 
County resident, Mr. Ramsey's efforts and devotion to social equality 
have truly paved the way for minorities and impacted so many lives 
throughout the nation. I join all of Henry's loved ones in celebrating 
his incredible life. He will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________