[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 166 (Friday, October 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF U.S. JUDGE STERLING JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS R. SUOZZI

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 21, 2022

  Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Judge 
Sterling Johnson who passed away on October 17, 2022. Judge Johnson 
will be remembered as a devoted family man, advocate for individuals 
suffering from AIDS, dedicated jurist, special drug prosecutor, member 
of the New York City Police Department, U.S. Marine veteran and mentor 
to the next generation of young attorneys.
  At a time when AIDS was still considered a terrifying death sentence, 
Judge Johnson fought relentlessly for the humane treatment of 
individuals suffering from AIDS. In 1993, he ordered the government to 
immediately shut down a Guantanamo Bay detention facility that was full 
of Haitian refugees who had been found eligible for asylum but were 
denied entry into the United States solely because they had H.I.V. or 
AIDS. He likened their living conditions to ``an H.I.V. prison camp''. 
In another remarkable case, Judge Johnson ruled that New York City had 
failed to provide necessities to thousands of residents who were 
poverty stricken and suffered from AIDS. These necessities included 
emergency housing, food stamps and Medicaid. He ordered a federal 
magistrate to make sure that the AIDS stricken population had access to 
these benefits. In this way he used his power to alleviate the 
suffering of thousands of society's most vulnerable members.
  Prior to his time on the bench, Judge Johnson was a member of the New 
York City Police Department. While serving in this capacity, he 
received his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and graduated 
in the top ten percent of the Brooklyn Law School Class of 1966. Judge 
Johnson left the police force the following year to accept an 
appointment as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of 
New York based in Manhattan where he prosecuted more than 7,000 
criminal cases. He also served as the City's special narcotics 
prosecutor and was named executive liaison officer for the Drug 
Enforcement Administration's Presidential Drug Advisory Council under 
President Gerald Ford. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush nominated 
Judge Johnson for the United States Court for the Eastern District of 
New York. During his 30-year tenure on the bench, Judge Johnson ruled 
in over 500 cases.
  Judge Johnson also served as the executive director of the NYPD 
Civilian Complaint Review Board, investigating allegations of police 
misconduct and brutality. Judge Johnson was a founding member of the 
National Organization of Black Law Enforcement. The New York Chapter of 
this organization is named in his honor. He was also instrumental in 
founding the National Black Prosecutors Association. Judge Johnson was 
also a sought-after guest lecturer and gave speeches at universities 
around the world.
  Despite his demanding career, Judge Johnson always made time to 
mentor young attorneys. His office was full of young lawyers seeking 
his wisdom and advice. He instilled the values of duty, dedication, 
discipline, integrity, and social justice in the next generation of 
lawyers. He would often say ``If you are early, you are on time. If you 
are on time, you are late.'' He deeply believed that one must be a 
leader, take initiative, and zealously chase one's ambitions. When 
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson started her career, she asked Judge 
Johnson if she should become a judge. As a result of his guidance and 
encouragement, she went on to make history as the first black female 
Supreme Court Justice.
  In addition to his distinguished career, Judge Johnson also raised a 
remarkable family. He was a devoted husband to Barbara Johnson and a 
loving father to his children Sterling III, Alicia and Jennifer, and 
daughter-in-law Wendy Johnson. Judge Johnson was especially close to 
his son-in-law, David Daniels. Judge Johnson was lovingly called G.Pa 
by his grandchildren Jessica Barnes and F. Attiyya Akinwole; and was a 
doting great grandfather to his adorable great grand puppies Jibe, Oba, 
and Enzo. Judge Johnson enjoyed fishing and playing solitaire. We take 
solace in the thought that Judge Johnson has been reunited in heaven 
with his daughter Alicia and dog Oba.
  I offer my deepest sympathy and prayers to Judge Johnson's family and 
hope that the knowledge that he is remembered so dearly by his friends 
and colleagues will bring comfort during this difficult time.

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