[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 37 (Friday, February 26, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E177-E178]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JUDGE HUGH SCOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 26, 2021

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life of a trailblazer in the Western New York legal community, Judge 
Hugh B. Scott. Judge Scott possessed a great legal mind and he will be 
sorely missed by all those who loved and respected him.
  Judge Hugh B. Scott defied societal attitudes meant to restrict him 
and other African Americans to become the first Black federal judge in 
Western New York history. After he graduated as one of just three Black 
members of the Sweet Home High School class of 1967, Judge Scott 
attended Niagara University and the University at Buffalo law school, 
once again as one of the few Black graduates, to make local legal 
history.
  Judge Scott made history as the first African American federal 
prosecutor and head of the state attorney general's office in Buffalo. 
He served as a City Court judge for a decade before becoming the first 
Black federal judge in Western New York history in 1994.

[[Page E178]]

  In an interview with the Buffalo News following his appointment, 
Judge Scott humbly remarked of his accomplishments, ``I try not to talk 
of it in those terms. But yes, there have been a number of firsts in my 
life, and yes, I'm proud of it.'' Judge Scott didn't like to dwell on 
his accomplishments; he was always looking to contribute to more than 
his resume. Though he often downplayed his own role in breaking down 
barriers and deflected credit for helping others do the same, that only 
added to Judge Scott's authenticity, which was as noticeable in his 
courtroom as his gavel.
  Outside of the courtroom, Judge Scott's presence was felt in the 
talks he gave to Buffalo kids who would benefit not just from his words 
but from the ceilings he broke through for the betterment of himself 
and for others. In addition to his informal community involvement, he 
also served as a board member on the National Conference for Community 
and Justice and the Buffalo Urban League. The life member of the NAACP 
was connected to the fight for justice in his hometown, where he met 
his wife Trudy and raised two sons, while also committing to the same 
struggle in education and the legal profession.
  Madam Speaker, thank you for this time to honor the trailblazing 
legacy of Judge Hugh Scott. He embodied the passion, energy, and 
commitment to cause that makes Buffalo unique. We will forever be 
grateful for his outstanding service and leadership. We extend our 
deepest sympathy to his wife, Trudy and his two sons and the many 
friends and family. I offer my thanks to Judge Scott for his incredible 
contributions to the fabric of our community and offer my condolences 
to his family for the passing of a man known to the legal system as a 
judge but known to people as a husband, father, trailblazer, and role 
model.

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