MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Simmons (12th), Jackson (11th), Frazier, Thomas, Norwood, Hickman, Simmons (13th), England, Barnett, Branning, Butler (38th), Hopson, McDaniel
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI, DEBRA M. BROWN, AS MISSISSIPPI'S FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE CHIEF FEDERAL JUDGE.
WHEREAS, we join the Mississippi legal community in congratulating Mississippi State Alumna and United States District Judge Debra M. Brown as she becomes the Magnolia State's first African American female Chief Federal Judge. A ceremony was held on June 11, 2021, at the United States Courthouse in Greenville, where Judge Brown received the gavel and became the new Chief Judge of the Northern District of Mississippi. She succeeded District Judge Sharion Aycock in the role of Chief Judge; and
WHEREAS, Judge Brown has served as a District Judge since being nominated by former President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in 2013. When Judge Debra Brown was sworn into office as a District Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi, she became the first African American female to serve as a Federal District Judge in Mississippi. Her investiture as District Judge was also held in Greenville, where her office and courtroom is located, and Senator Roger Wicker attended the ceremony. Senators Cochran and Wicker had both strongly supported Judge Brown's nomination, and they both spoke extensively on her behalf when her nomination was brought before the full Senate for a vote; and
WHEREAS, like the late Senior District Judge William Barbour and District Judge Carlton Reeves, Judge Debra Brown is a Yazoo City native. She is one of five sisters, and her parents, Willie James and Ruthie Brown, had high expectations for each of them. Judge Brown's college Dean at Mississippi State University recalled that her key character traits were perseverance, diligence and focus. After graduating from Mississippi State University's School of Architecture, she served as a member of the school's Advisory Council. In her senior year, Judge Brown won the top Architecture Student Honor, the Alpha Rho Chi Medal. Judge Brown graduated from the School of Architecture in 1987. After graduation, she worked as an Architect in Washington, D.C., where she participated in the renovation and restoration of municipal and historic buildings and in the construction of commercial and residential properties; and
WHEREAS, after serving as Associate Articles Editor of the Mississippi Law Journal, Judge Brown received her law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1997. Upon entering the bar, Judge Brown became the only lawyer in Mississippi with degrees in both Architecture and Law. In 1997, she joined Phelps Dunbar in Jackson, later becoming a partner at that firm. In 2012, Judge Brown moved to Wise Carter Child & Caraway as a shareholder; and
WHEREAS, with her background in architecture, it is not surprising that Judge Brown specialized in commercial construction litigation, although her civil litigation practice covered a wide range of topics. During her 16 years in private practice, Judge Brown was active in several bar associations, including the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Magnolia Bar Association, and the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association, which she served as President. She is also a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation. In 2004, Judge Brown received the Jackson Young Lawyers Outstanding Service Award, and in 2008, she was recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mississippi's Leading Businesswomen. Judge Brown also served on the Board of the Mississippi Center for Justice and Operation Shoestring; and
WHEREAS, at her investiture, Judge Brown took the oath of office with her hand on a Bible held by her mother, Ruthie Brown. In her remarks to the assembly, she said, "I do not take lightly the historical significance of this moment in Mississippi history, and I am acutely aware of the magnitude of this judicial position and the responsibility that goes along with it. I promise you that I will at all times give it the respect it deserves and approach it with humility. I will approach every decision I make on the bench with reverence for the law and those who come before me and will strive always to achieve fairness and excellence every day"; and
WHEREAS, Judge Brown's appointment as Chief Judge is the crowning achievement of an outstanding legal career which has honored both the Mississippi legal community and the State of Mississippi, which she serves:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize United States District Judge of the Northern District of Mississippi, Debra M. Brown, as Mississippi's first African American female Chief Federal Judge, and extend our best wishes on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Chief Judge Debra Brown and her family, forwarded to the Federal District Court of the Northern District of Mississippi and Mississippi's Congressional delegation, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.