[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15272]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




A WARRIOR IS GONE, BUT STILL LIVES: A TRIBUTE TO JUDGE CARL WALKER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 26, 2002

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am touched and honored to 
have the opportunity to be on the floor today to celebrate and remember 
the life of Judge Carl Walker, Jr. of my hometown Houston, Texas. Judge 
Walker, Jr. passed away last week, leaving behind a loving wife and a 
host of bereaved relatives and friends. We have all lost enormously 
with the passing of this great warrior in the struggle for justice. 
Through his example, he exalted all of us to be unrelenting as we 
strive for excellence, justice, and fairness.
  I knew Judge Walker very well and admired his dedication and 
perseverance in the face of great odds. It brought me great sadness to 
hear of his death. I stand before you today to give public 
acknowledgement and offer a heartfelt commemoration of the achievements 
of this eloquent, fearless and peerless man.
  Carl Walker, Jr. was born in Marlin Falls County, Texas. After 
graduating from Booker T. Washington High School in Houston, TX, he was 
drafted into the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943. He received an honorable 
discharge in 1946, and used his G.I. Bill to enter Texas Southern 
University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and later 
earned a Master's degree in economics in 1952.
  His pinnacle academic achievement came when he earned a law degree 
from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, at Texas Southern University.
  This degree led him to blaze the trail and knock down doors for those 
of us who would follow. His law degree allowed him to become an 
Assistant U.S. Attorney appointed by Attorney General Robert F. 
Kennedy. Marking yet another first, Judge Walker was the first African-
American U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas.
  When not busy upholding the law, the Honorable Carl Walker, Jr. was 
involved in a number of civic and religious organizations in Houston, 
Texas.
  He held positions with the Civic League, Eldorado Social Club, and 
the South Central YMCA Board of Managers. Mr. Walker served as 
President of the Harris County Council of Organizations, the Houston 
Chapter of the U.S.O., the Texas Southern University Alumni and Ex-
Students Associations, and the Houston Business and Professional Men's 
Club. He also served on the board of directors of the American Red 
Cross.
  He had a number of professional affiliations including the United 
States Supreme Court, the Houston Bar Association, the State Bar of 
Texas, the Texas Bar Foundation, the United States Tax Court, Federal 
Bar Association, Fifth Circuit of Appeals, and the Texas Judicial 
Association.
  I was humbled by an invitation to give a special tribute to Carl 
Walker, Jr. at his passing. I hold our men and women who have used 
their lives to better our country in the highest regard and take great 
pride in commemorating the extraordinary life of the Honorable Carl 
Walker Jr. It is because of Carl Walker's good works that not only the 
Congressional District but all of Houston and America could have an 
improved quality of life. He was a tremendous moral force who will be 
sorely missed as we look to his example in the struggle for justice and 
integrity in our country today.

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