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HONORING THE LIFE OF U.S. JUDGE STERLING JOHNSON
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HON. THOMAS R. SUOZZI
of new york
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 21, 2022
Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy of Judge Sterling Johnson who passed away on October 17, 2022. Judge Johnson will be remembered as a devoted family man, advocate for individuals suffering from AIDS, dedicated jurist, special drug prosecutor, member of the New York City Police Department, U.S. Marine veteran and mentor to the next generation of young attorneys.
At a time when AIDS was still considered a terrifying death sentence, Judge Johnson fought relentlessly for the humane treatment of individuals suffering from AIDS. In 1993, he ordered the government to immediately shut down a Guantanamo Bay detention facility that was full of Haitian refugees who had been found eligible for asylum but were denied entry into the United States solely because they had H.I.V. or AIDS. He likened their living conditions to ``an H.I.V. prison camp''. In another remarkable case, Judge Johnson ruled that New York City had failed to provide necessities to thousands of residents who were poverty stricken and suffered from AIDS. These necessities included emergency housing, food stamps and Medicaid. He ordered a federal magistrate to make sure that the AIDS stricken population had access to these benefits. In this way he used his power to alleviate the suffering of thousands of society's most vulnerable members.
Prior to his time on the bench, Judge Johnson was a member of the New York City Police Department. While serving in this capacity, he received his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College and graduated in the top ten percent of the Brooklyn Law School Class of 1966. Judge Johnson left the police force the following year to accept an appointment as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York based in Manhattan where he prosecuted more than 7,000 criminal cases. He also served as the City's special narcotics prosecutor and was named executive liaison officer for the Drug Enforcement Administration's Presidential Drug Advisory Council under President Gerald Ford. In 1991, President George H.W. Bush nominated Judge Johnson for the United States Court for the Eastern District of New York. During his 30-year tenure on the bench, Judge Johnson ruled in over 500 cases.
Judge Johnson also served as the executive director of the NYPD Civilian Complaint Review Board, investigating allegations of police misconduct and brutality. Judge Johnson was a founding member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement. The New York Chapter of this organization is named in his honor. He was also instrumental in founding the National Black Prosecutors Association. Judge Johnson was also a sought-after guest lecturer and gave speeches at universities around the world.
Despite his demanding career, Judge Johnson always made time to mentor young attorneys. His office was full of young lawyers seeking his wisdom and advice. He instilled the values of duty, dedication, discipline, integrity, and social justice in the next generation of lawyers. He would often say ``If you are early, you are on time. If you are on time, you are late.'' He deeply believed that one must be a leader, take initiative, and zealously chase one's ambitions. When Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson started her career, she asked Judge Johnson if she should become a judge. As a result of his guidance and encouragement, she went on to make history as the first black female Supreme Court Justice.
In addition to his distinguished career, Judge Johnson also raised a remarkable family. He was a devoted husband to Barbara Johnson and a loving father to his children Sterling III, Alicia and Jennifer, and daughter-in-law Wendy Johnson. Judge Johnson was especially close to his son-in-law, David Daniels. Judge Johnson was lovingly called G.Pa by his grandchildren Jessica Barnes and F. Attiyya Akinwole; and was a doting great grandfather to his adorable great grand puppies Jibe, Oba, and Enzo. Judge Johnson enjoyed fishing and playing solitaire. We take solace in the thought that Judge Johnson has been reunited in heaven with his daughter Alicia and dog Oba.
I offer my deepest sympathy and prayers to Judge Johnson's family and hope that the knowledge that he is remembered so dearly by his friends and colleagues will bring comfort during this difficult time.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 166(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 166(2)
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