[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E343-E344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DESIGNATING THE U.S. POSTAL OFFICE AT 1320 AUTUMN AVE. MEMPHIS, 
       TENNESSEE AS THE ``JUDGE RUSSELL B. SUGARMON POST OFFICE''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 20, 2018

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill I introduced 
today to designate the U.S. Postal Office at 1320 Autumn Ave. Memphis, 
Tennessee as the ``Judge Russell B. Sugarmon Post Office.''
  Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1929, Judge Russell B. Sugarmon is 
heralded for his contributions to the City of Memphis and his work to 
reverse the tide of racism in Tennessee, paving the way for future 
black leaders in the area and inspiring their efforts to increase their 
representation in elected, Democratic bodies.
  In 1959, Russell Sugarmon became the first African-American in 
Memphis to run for a major city office when he ran for Public Works 
Commissioner. Sugarmon's tenacity to overcome racial opposition to his 
candidacy paved the way and inspired other African-Americans in Memphis 
to seek public office. In 1966, he was elected to the Tennessee General 
Assembly, becoming the second African-American in Tennessee to be 
elected to the Assembly post Reconstruction. From 1976 to 1987, 
Sugarmon was a Referee in the Memphis Juvenile Court System before 
being appointed to serve as a judge for the General Sessions court. 
Judge Sugarmon was subsequently elected and re-elected to the bench and 
held his seat for 20 years until his retirement in 2006.
  Working alongside notable Memphis pioneers and leaders in the fight 
for racial justice and equality, Judge Sugarmon was instrumental in 
using the courts to desegregate public transportation, restaurants and 
public facilities and the desegregation of Memphis public schools. Both 
the NAACP and ACLU have honored Judge Sugarmon for his contributions to 
Memphis. He was most recently awarded the 2014 be the Dream MLK Legacy 
Award.
  As a trailblazer for African-American stewardship in public office 
and a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, it is only fitting that we 
enshrine our recognition of his contributions to the City of Memphis 
and the African American community by naming the 1320 Autumn Ave. Post 
Office in Memphis, TN in honor of his legacy.

[[Page E344]]

  I urge my colleagues to support this measure in honoring Judge 
Russell B. Sugarmon, an exemplary American and titan of his time.

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