February 28, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 37 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H2295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
                  IN COMMEMORATION OF JUDGE JAMES DEAN

  (Mr. SPANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SPANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to an 
unsung hero in Florida's history.
  In 1858, James Dean was born into slavery in Ocala, Florida. In 
pursuit of his dream to enter public office, Dean entered Howard 
University School of Law working part time as a clerk to put himself 
through school.
  He earned a bachelor's and master's of law, graduating as the 
valedictorian in both degrees. After graduating, Dean returned home to 
Florida in 1887, taking a position as a school principal and 
establishing a law practice in Key West.
  His practice grew so quick that he had to resign from the school 
within a year to care for his clients. As his business grew, so did his 
standing in the community. In 1888, just a year after moving to Key 
West, he was nominated to serve as a county judge.
  This didn't sit well with many White political leaders in Key West 
who conspired to have him removed from the bench. They fabricated a 
story that Judge Dean illegally married an interracial couple and the 
Governor of Florida removed him from office.
  As Black History Month comes to a close today, it is important to not 
shy away from uncomfortable moments in our history. And while Governor 
Bush posthumously reinstating his judgeship in 2002 can never make up 
for the harm suffered, remembering his story makes us all more 
sensitive to current injustices suffered by our friends in the Black 
community.

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