[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24419]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF JUDGE PHILIP N. GUMBS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 1, 2005

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Judge 
Philip N. Gumbs. Judge Gumbs passed away after a life of distinguished 
service to his family and his community at the age of 82.
  Judge Gumbs was a first generation American who volunteered for the 
U.S. Army Air Corps immediately after graduating high school and served 
honorably in World War II. After returning home, he earned his 
undergraduate degree from Rutgers University and his law degree from 
Lincoln University in St. Louis. Judge Gumbs was a probation officer 
and a law partner before an ardent desire to see his children receive a 
good education caused him to enter public life as a member of the 
Matawan Board of Education.
  Judge Gumbs's work to improve education was his first step in a 
career of dedicated public service. He would go on to hold many other 
public offices including serving on the township council and as the 
mayor of Matawan. He was elected to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen 
Freeholders with the highest number of votes for any elected seat in 
the county. He later became the first African-American director of the 
Board of Chosen Freeholders. He was appointed a judge in 1976, and 
served as a workers' compensation judge for 25 years.
  Judge Gumbs was a lifelong member of St. Mark AME Zion Church. He was 
an active member of his church community and served in a number of 
capacities, including superintendent of the Sunday school, a role that 
allowed him to continue his work to improve education. He served for 30 
years as chairman of the Trustee Board. Judge Gumbs was also active as 
a Master Mason with a local lodge.
  My condolences go out to his wife Rachel, his children, Robina and 
Kelvin, his three grandchildren, his sisters and brothers, and his 
nieces and nephews. Judge Gumbs's legacy of service to his community 
will be remembered for generations to come.

                          ____________________