[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E207-E208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO JUDGE RICHARD E. FIELDS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2023

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an esteemed 
legal trailblazer, beloved community leader, and great mentor. Judge 
Richard E. Fields transitioned from this life on March 3, 2023, in his 
hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. His wisdom and character were 
universally respected and will be sorely missed.
  Judge Fields was born on October 1, 1920, in Charleston County, South 
Carolina. He attended public schools in Charleston before achieving a 
bachelor's degree in business administration from West Virginia State 
College. His desire to pursue equal justice for the African American 
community led him to obtaining a law degree from Howard University, 
where he graduated in 1947.
  Upon graduating from Howard, Judge Fields returned to Charleston and 
was promptly admitted into the South Carolina Bar Association. He 
became the first African American attorney to open a law office in 
Charleston since the early 1900s and the first ever African American 
litigator. Even during an era of widespread and debilitating 
discrimination in the South, the quality of Judge Fields' work and 
character quickly gained the admiration and respect of Charleston's 
legal community.
  After many years in private practice, Judge Fields was selected as a 
municipal judge for the City of Charleston in 1969 and as a family 
court judge in 1975, once again breaking barriers as the first African 
American to serve in each respective position. He continued in that 
capacity until he was elected to the Circuit Court of South Carolina in 
1980, becoming the first African American elected judicial official in 
the Southeast. After faithfully serving on the Circuit Court bench for 
twelve years, Judge Fields retired in 1992. His judicial tenure was 
marked by the unwavering respect he showed to all who appeared before 
him.
  In addition to his law practice and judgeships, Judge Fields employed 
his passion and intellect to serve his community in countless other 
ways. In 1950, he formed the Charleston County Political Action 
Committee to educate African American voters of the power of voting and 
to elect more African American individuals to office. It was in this 
capacity that I met and got to know him. He had an astute political 
mind and became a great friend and mentor. He also served on the boards 
of many civic and educational organizations, most notably the Board of 
Trustees of Claflin College, where he served for almost 50 years. 
Throughout his life, Judge fields accumulated countless awards and 
honors for his leadership.
  Judge Fields was a man of deep faith. Upon returning to Charleston 
after law school, he rejoined the Centenary Methodist Church that he 
attended as a child. He was quickly elected treasurer by the 
Congregation, a position he retained for many decades. He also 
represented his Church at the United Methodist Church South Carolina 
Annual Conference for more than 50 years. Judge Fields was a dedicated 
family man and was married to Myrtle T.

[[Page E208]]

Evans for almost 6 decades before her passing. Together they had 2 
children, Mary Diane Fields-Reed and Richard E. Fields, Jr.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in honoring 
the remarkable life of Judge Richard E. Fields. His service as a judge, 
attorney, community leader, and parishioner made an enduring impact on 
his community. His brilliance and decency will be remembered by all who 
were fortunate to meet him.

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