IN HONOR OF THE INDUCTION OF THE CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY ESTATE INTO THE CONNECTICUT FREEDOM TRAIL; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 160
(Extensions of Remarks - October 08, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN HONOR OF THE INDUCTION OF THE CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY ESTATE INTO THE
CONNECTICUT FREEDOM TRAIL
_____
HON. JOE COURTNEY
of connecticut
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight an important
development in my district. On Sunday, October 6th, the estate of the
renowned civil rights activist, lawyer, and judge, Constance Baker
Motley, was designated as a heritage site on the Connecticut Freedom
Trail.
The Connecticut Freedom Trail is a state designation which recognizes
carefully selected sites that celebrate extraordinary African Americans
whose lives have greatly expanded the circle of freedom and opportunity
for all Americans. Judge Motley, an icon of civil rights advancements
and justice for all, kept a home away from home in the town of Chester,
part of Connecticut's Second District, for 40 years.
It is important that we recognize this historic site because of the
extraordinary life and legacy of Judge Motley. Born and raised in New
Haven, CT, Judge Motley was a first generation American, the child of
Caribbean immigrants. At an early age, a local philanthropist offered
to fund her college education, after hearing her speak at a community
event. After graduating from New York University, she attended Columbia
Law School at which point she joined the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund. As
a contemporary of great civil rights activists like Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr, and Justice Thurgood Marshall, Judge Motley helped litigate
most of the defining civil rights cases of the era, including the
landmark Brown v. Board of Education.
After a successful career as a lawyer and activist, she became the
first female African American New York State Senator. Then, in 1966,
President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed her to the federal district court
for the Southern District of New York, making her the first black woman
to serve on the federal judiciary. There, she spent the next 40 years
shaping the legal landscape of the 20th century and even became the
court's Chief judge. It was during this part of her life that Judge
Motley often escaped to her Chester home with her family.
I'd like to thank the Chester Land Trust and the greater Chester
community for embracing Judge Constance Baker Motley's legacy by
preserving her home and estate. I'd also like to thank the Motley and
Coleman families for being so supportive of this endeavor.
We honor Judge Constance Baker Motley's life and legacy by inducting
her historic home into the Connecticut Freedom Trail. Colleagues, I ask
that you please rise and join me in acknowledging this special occasion
and the incredible woman we have to thank for it.
____________________