[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 70 (Thursday, April 22, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF FORMER JUSTICE GREGORY K. SCOTT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2021

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with Congressman Ed 
Perlmutter, Congressman Jason Crow, and Congressman Joe Neguse, to 
recognize the life and accomplishments of the first and only African 
American to serve on our state's highest court, former Colorado Supreme 
Court Justice Gregory K. Scott who passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 
2021 at the age of 72.
  Justice Scott graduated from Rutgers University before attending law 
school at Indiana University. In 1977, he and his wife Carolyn, also an 
attorney, moved to Denver so that Scott could start his new position as 
a trial attorney at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's 
regional office. Later, Scott joined the faculty at University of 
Denver's Sturm College of Law as a professor, where he taught numerous 
students about securities and corporate law. While making their life in 
Denver, the couple welcomed two sons, both of whom sadly preceded them 
in death.
  In 1993, then Governor Roy Romer appointed Scott to the Colorado 
Supreme Court, making him the first--and thus far the only--African 
American to serve at the highest level of our state's judiciary. During 
his time on the bench, Justice Scott participated in 1,000 decisions, 
some notable ones including Evans v. Romer, which involved the court 
stepping in to stop enforcement of a ban that infringed the rights of 
our gay and lesbian Coloradans, and also Hill v. Thomas, a decision he 
penned himself to uphold the state law I wrote to mandate an 8-foot 
buffer zone between protesters and individuals trying to gain entrance 
into Colorado abortion clinics. I am proud to note that the U.S. 
Supreme Court later upheld this decision, finding the same truth we 
hold so dear in Colorado, that rights of speech and access to 
reproductive care can both be vigorously protected.
  Justice Scott served admirably both inside and outside of the 
courtroom, especially when it came to championing the civil nights 
causes he cherished deeply. While living in Denver, he took pride in 
mentoring law students, especially law students of color, who believed 
as he did--as we all do--that diversity in the legal profession is 
vital to the best interests of clients, whether corporate or 
individual, and every Coloradan. Additionally, Scott was active with 
the local NAACP chapter, the Urban League, and the Sam Cary Bar 
Association. Even in his retirement years, Scott continued answering 
the call to serve. After moving to his wife's hometown in Indiana, he 
became the executive director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.
  Justice Scott has been remembered by friends and former colleagues as 
a ``giant'' in Colorado's legal community with a brilliant legal mind 
and a profound respect for the rule of law. Truly, he will always be 
remembered for his lasting legacy on our state's supreme court, but 
also as a bowtie-wearing jurist who was as likable as he was learned, 
and as socially conscious as he was compassionate. We send our 
heartfelt condolences to his wife Carolyn and to the entire Scott 
family, as well as to the Coloradans who are saddened by his loss.

                          ____________________