In Remembrance of the Honorable Joseph L. Russell

Floor Speech

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Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, as family, friends, and the community gather to celebrate the life of the Honorable Joseph ``Joe'' L. Russell, Retired Attorney at Law and College Professor, former Military Judge and California Administrative Law Judge, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering this extraordinary and generous businessman, community and civic leader throughout the County of Sacramento and the State of California.

Mr. Russell entered eternal rest on Monday, March 13, 2023 at the age of 80 with wife and family at his side. Today he is being celebrated at the historical landmark Shiloh Baptist Church in Sacramento, California, the Reverend Anthony R. Sadler Pastor presiding.

Born November 17, 1942, in Birmingham, Alabama to Arlee and Eva Lou Russell where he attended; was ranked high in his class and graduated from Parker High School. Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and Government at Howard University, in Washington DC. Joe earned his Jurist Doctorate Degree at Howard's School of Law. Upon graduating, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force where he was promoted to the rank of Captain prior to completing his tour of duty in the service of our country.

Joe met Ida P. Avant in 1963. They were married in 1966 while she was completing her undergraduate degree at Howard University, and he was completing his first year of law school. After concluding his tour of duty with the Air Force, the young couple relocated to Sacramento, California in 1972 to join fellow law school graduate, the late Judge Jimmy Long. They have resided in Sacramento since relocating to the City where they raised their two sons: Joseph Russell, Jr. and Michael Russell.

Joe was licensed and admitted to practice law before the following courts: United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals, United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, United States District Court--Eastern District, United States District Court-- Northern District, United States Military Court (Attorney and Judge); United States Military Court of Appeals, Alabama State Bar Court, and the California State Bar Court.

He has served the Sacramento Community, State of California and the United States of America as: a well-respected and beloved Military Judge, California Administrative Law Judge, Professor of law courses at California State University, Sacramento for more than 35 years, Attorney at Law, par excellence, for more than 40 years including private practice and as a Senior Deputy City Attorney/City Prosecutor for the City of Sacramento, Civil Leader, Deacon of Shiloh Baptist Church where he has been a very active member and faithful servant of the Lord for nearly 50 years. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor and friend to a multitude and with wife Ida, he was a world traveler.

A partial list of Joe's community and civic service to our community include the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, the Sacramento Urban League, Sacramento Big Brothers and Sisters, the Brotherhood and Deacon Board of the Shiloh Baptist Church, and so many more. Many of Joe's contributions to make a safer and better place in which to live, work, recreate and worship freely are unknown to the public heretofore because he was such a humble person. Joe's passing is a great lost to the Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to stand with me today to honor the Honorable Joseph L. Russell for his life legacy and contribution to the Sacramento community.

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