[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 34 (Monday, February 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E204-E205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JUDGE RUSSELL B. SUGARMON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2019

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of 
Russell B. Sugarmon--a great American jurist, Civil Rights leader, 
political pioneer and elder statesman from my hometown of Memphis, 
Tennessee. Judge Sugarmon died Monday after a long illness at the age 
of 89 but will be remembered forever as a crusading legal scholar who 
worked to end segregation in the Memphis public schools and for being a 
political genius who helped behind the scenes to elect the African 
American and progressive candidates who reshaped Memphis. In 1959, 
Sugarmon was one of the first African Americans to run for citywide 
office when he sought to be commissioner for public works. In 1966, he 
was elected to become Tennessee's second African American state 
representative since Reconstruction and was later elected a General 
Sessions Court judge after serving as a partner in Memphis' and 
Tennessee's first integrated law firm--Ratner, Sugarmon, Lucas and 
Willis. Other legendary attorneys such as Bill Caldwell, Irvin Salky, 
Troy Henderson, Walter Bailey, Jr., Russell X. Thompson and Tom Arnold 
hung their hats and licenses there. From 1976 to 1987, Judge Sugarmon 
was a referee in the Memphis Juvenile Court system, stepping down in 
May 1987 when he was appointed a General Sessions Court Judge. He was 
elected to the bench in 1988 and was reelected in 1990 and 1998. 
Russell Bertram Sugarmon, Jr. graduated from the city's Booker T. 
Washington High School in 1946 at the age of 15. Sugarmon spent a year 
at Morehouse College--in the class a year behind Dr. Martin Luther 
King, Jr.--and transferred to Rutgers University, where he received his 
undergraduate degree in Political Science in 1950. He received his J.D. 
from Harvard University in 1953 and spent the following two years in 
the U.S. Army based mainly in Japan. After returning to the United 
States, he did further graduate studies at Boston University, then came 
back to Memphis in 1956 to establish a private legal practice. Judge 
Sugarmon worked tirelessly even when victory wasn't in the cards and 
kept the faith, knowing that it would come in time. He was one of the 
most learned strategists on politics and history in our community, 
avoiding the limelight but holding sway as the influential wise man 
behind the scenes in collaboration with a biracial and tolerant group 
of progressive leaders. Judge Sugarmon was a mentor, supporter and 
friend of mine my entire life and I am eternally grateful to have been 
so fortunate to have shared time with this remarkably knowledgeable, 
judicious and beloved man. Last year, Congress

[[Page E205]]

passed and the President signed into law my bill designating the post 
office at 1325 Autumn Avenue as the Russell B. Sugarmon Post Office. I 
had hoped Judge Sugarmon would be on hand for its dedication later this 
year but its existence will stand as a lasting physical monument to his 
stature in our city, in our state and in our nation. No one is more 
deserving. Supporting Russell Sugarmon's great work and providing 
encouragement and strength was the Sugarmon family. Russell was a 
beloved husband and father of six children, sadly preceded in death by 
his dear daughter Tina Spence. I extend my sincere condolences to his 
devoted wife and companion, Gina; his children Judge Tarik Sugarmon, 
Elena Williams, Erika Sugarmon, Monique Sugarmon and Carol Spence; his 
extended family and his many friends.

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