[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 192 (Monday, December 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE JASPER CURETON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 12, 2022

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
trailblazing judge, military veteran, and cherished community leader. 
Judge Jasper Cureton transitioned on December 6, 2022, in his home 
state of South Carolina. His work in and out of the court room broke 
barriers for many, and his legacy has left an indelible mark on the 
state.
  Judge Cureton was born on April 26, 1938, in Walhalla, South Carolina 
to the late Jasper and Corrine Cureton. He attended Blue Ridge High 
School in Greer, South Carolina, where he was valedictorian of his 
graduating class in 1956. Despite facing economic difficulty, Judge 
Cureton recognized the value of education and went on to become a 
schoolmate of mine at South Carolina State College where he pursued a 
Bachelor of Science degree. Throughout his time in college, he worked 
delivering milk to afford his education. He was also a member of the 
ROTC program. After graduating third in his class in 1960, he became a 
Social Investigator for New York City's Department of Welfare. During 
his time in New York, he was called into active duty in the U.S. Army.
  After two years of service in the Army, Judge Cureton obtained the 
rank of First Lieutenant. Upon satisfactory completion of his service, 
Cureton returned to South Carolina and taught school for a year, before 
making the decision to attend law school. Judge Cureton attended South 
Carolina State's law school for his first year. The following year S.C. 
State law school was closed, and he transferred to the University of 
South Carolina Law School in Columbia, South Carolina. In 1967, he 
would make history as the first African American since post-
reconstruction to graduate from the University of South Carolina Law 
School. He was exemplary and finished second in his class.
  Judge Cureton first worked for the Richland County Legal Aid Service, 
and briefly ran a private practice. In 1976, the state Senate elected 
Judge Cureton to serve as Richland County Master-In-Equity. In 1982, 
the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court appointed him to 
a one-year term as a Special Circuit Judge. The same year, he was 
elected to serve as a Judge for the Family Court for the Fifth Circuit. 
In 1983, Judge Cureton once again made history when he became one of 
six men elected by the state Senate to the South Carolina Court of 
Appeals in its inaugural year. Throughout his service, he was respected 
by all and a mentor to many. Judge Cureton retired from the Bench in 
2003, having served a remarkable 27 years.
  Throughout his career and even after retirement, Judge Cureton was an 
active member and volunteer for several civic and social organizations 
in the greater Midlands community. He served in leadership positions in 
United Way of the Midlands, Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers of 
Columbia, The Family Service Center, the Nurturing Center, March of 
Dimes, Legal Services Corporation, Columbia Area Mental Health Center, 
and the Columbia Community Relations Council.
  Through his community leadership, Judge Cureton was duly recognized 
with several awards and honors. In the 1972 edition, he was listed as 
one of the Outstanding Young Men of America, and he later received a 
Presidential Citation from the National Association for Equal 
Opportunities in Higher Education. For his military service, he was 
awarded the Presidential Certificate of Appreciation for his work in 
the Selective Service System, a Legion of Merit from the U.S. Army, and 
was inducted into the South Carolina State University ROTC Hall of 
Fame.
  Jasper Cureton was grounded in his faith and was an active member of 
Zion Baptist Church, serving as Chairman of its Trustee Board for 
several years. He was married to the late Jean Burkins and was the 
father of two children, Jason Marshall Cureton and Indira Cureton.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in honoring 
the historic life of my dear friend, Judge Jasper Cureton. His rise 
from humble beginnings in rural South Carolina to his service on the 
South Carolina appellate court is inspirational. He broke many barriers 
and served his country, state, and community with distinction. I cannot 
think of a greater legacy. May he rest in peace.

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