Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1018 is a bill to honor Judge James Watson, the Nation's most senior African American judge. He served on the United States Court of International Trade, a lifetime appointment by President Lyndon Johnson. Judge Watson was also a former New York Senator and civil court judge. I knew Judge Watson when I lived in New York City. I saw him make history there. He was from a family of African American achievers and path breakers. His career spanned 36 years, and he set a record of 70 appearances serving as a visiting judge in districts around the country. On several occasions, he was the first African American to held court in parts of the deep south, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Compassion and evenhandedness were hallmarks of his judicial behavior. In World War II, he served as an infantryman with the legendary all- black 92nd Buffalo Soldiers Division and was seriously wounded in combat in Italy. He received the Purple Heart, the Battle Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and a U.S. Army commendation.”