[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               JUDGE MARVA CRENSHAW--BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 2020

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one 
of Florida's most distinguished jurists--and one of the highest 
integrity. Judge Marva L. Crenshaw was born in 1951 in DeFuniak 
Springs, Florida, one of seven children. A child of faith, naturally 
reflective in her calm demeanor, she would epitomize a commitment to 
justice and the judicial temperament that would distinguish her service 
on the bench. She is married to Norman Campbell and together they 
raised their two daughters, Kalinda and Kamaria.
  Growing up in the segregated south, Judge Crenshaw attended 
segregated schools during her formative years. She excelled in language 
arts and became inspired by the impact of the rule of law, an 
appreciation she acquired spending time with her grandfather as he 
attended his affairs in her small town's courthouse. She earned her 
bachelor's degree with honors in 1973 from Tuskegee Institute, where 
she pledged as a Delta Sigma Theta and also became active in voter 
rights. She then achieved her childhood dream by earning her law degree 
from the University of Florida in 1975.
  Judge Crenshaw began her dedication to public service as a prosecutor 
with the State Attorney's Office under Richard Gerstein in Miami-Dade 
County, Florida. She was hired by Janet Reno, who would later become 
the U.S. Attorney General. She served in that capacity until arriving 
to the Tampa Bay community in 1978 to join Bay Area Legal Services. She 
put her skills and legal acumen to work for families who often faced 
financial barriers to the courthouse and the legal system. She provided 
important legal services to disadvantaged neighbors across Tampa Bay 
and was named the organization's Deputy Director a decade later.
  In 1989, Governor Bob Martinez appointed her to the Hillsborough 
County Court. In 2000, Governor Jeb Bush appointed her as the first 
African American woman to serve on the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit 
Court. There she was assigned to civil, family, criminal and juvenile 
divisions--furthering her lifelong dream to serve the public and her 
community. In 2009, Governor Charlie Crist appointed her to the Second 
District Court of Appeal, where she presided until retirement in 2018.
  Judge Crenshaw broke barriers and charted a course for others who are 
committed to equal justice to follow. She set the highest of standards 
in her courtroom and in service to our community to ensure fairness. 
While retirement marks the end of one chapter in her life, she 
continues to explore other opportunities to impact people's lives 
through service.
  Judge Crenshaw has been extensively involved in bar activities and 
was recognized as recently as 2019 with both the Hillsborough County 
Bar Association's Robert W. Patton Outstanding Jurist Award and the 
Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers' Trailblazer Award.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I am humbled to 
honor Judge Marva L. Crenshaw during this Black History Month for her 
many years of selfless service and leadership, and for being a 
trailblazer and a shining light for justice for all.

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