MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Coleman (65th), Clark, Espy, Evans, Fleming, Green, Harrison, Morris, Perkins, Robinson (63rd), Scott (80th), Smith (27th), Wallace, Watson, West
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING JUDGE JOE BROWN FOR HIS MANY ACHIEVEMENTS AS A JUDGE AND AS A SYNDICATED TELEVISION PERSONALITY.
WHEREAS, Judge Joe Brown is a nationally acclaimed judge, presiding in a nontraditional manner as judge of a syndicated reality courtroom show entitled "Judge Joe Brown"; and
WHEREAS, born in Washington, D.C., the only child of hard-working teachers, Judge Brown relocated to South Central Los Angeles early in life, gaining and exhibiting the early philosophy of tough-love; and
WHEREAS, Judge Brown, determined not to become another statistic of the harsh inner city, modeled his parents, and chose the avenue proffered by education, one surely to grant success and opportunities; and
WHEREAS, graduating at the top of his high school class, Judge Brown entered the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), paying his way through college by loading trucks and digging ditches, and earning his bachelor's degree in political science; and
WHEREAS, Judge Brown, upon completion of his undergraduate studies, was accepted into UCLA's School of Law, earning his Juris Doctorate in 1973; and
WHEREAS, in 1974, Judge Brown moved to Memphis, Tennessee, taking a legal service position with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and later becoming the first African-American Prosecutor for the City of Memphis; and
WHEREAS, after serving as Director of Memphis' Public Defender's Office, Judge Brown, in 1978, entered into private practice, working therein for 12 years before returning to public service in 1990 upon being elected as Division 9 Judge of the State Criminal Courts of Shelby County, Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, Judge Brown's alternative sentencing method placed him in the national spotlight, with appearances on "Nightline" and "Street Stories," as well as being the feature of many prominent magazines such as "Newsweek," "Time"and"Life Magazine"; and
WHEREAS, it was Judge Brown's appearance on "Nightline" that caught the attention of Big Ticket Television President, Larry Lyttle, opening the door of opportunity for a televised program; and
WHEREAS, with a magnetic and dynamic personality, coupled with a unique background, Judge Brown spends many weekends in the toughest Memphis communities encouraging the youth to maintain a positive outlook on life and to distance themselves from trouble; and
WHEREAS, Judge Brown, who currently lives in Memphis and actively participates in the upbringing of his two sons, has been chosen to be guest speaker for the Mississippi Baptist Seminary Founder's Day on February 23, 2002; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives of the State of Mississippi to commend excellence in such an outstanding and exemplary individual as Judge Joe Brown, whose contributions to society have been influential in positively altering the lives of many:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Judge Joe Brown on his many achievements as a judge and syndicated television personality.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Judge Joe Brown and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.