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E204 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 25, 2019 burden on local governments, which have their COMMEMORATING THE RETIRE- tain College in the Morongo Basin. I can say fair share of widespread budget deficits and MENT OF DR. JITENDRA J. SHAH from experience that Roger is an incredibly in- cuts to safety net programs and other essen- telligent and hard-working individual with a tial services to deal with as it is. HON. DARIN LaHOOD true passion for education, and I can guar- antee that he will be sorely missed at Victor Terminating benefits to inmates who are OF ILLINOIS Valley College. I congratulate Roger on receiv- awaiting trial undermines the presumption of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ing this award, and wish him all the best as he innocence, which is a cornerstone principle of Monday, February 25, 2019 heads into retirement. our justice system. The current practice does Mr. LAHOOD. Madam Speaker, today I f not distinguish between persons who are would like to congratulate Dr. Jitendra Shah awaiting disposition of charges and persons on his retirement from the University of Illinois CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF who have been duly convicted and sentenced. College of Medicine at Peoria. JUDGE RUSSELL B. SUGARMON, Moreover, this reality disproportionately affects Originally from India, Dr. Shah decided to JR. low-income and minority populations who are dedicate his life to medicine at a young age. often unable to post bond, which would enable He studied Preparatory Science and Pre-Medi- HON. STEVE COHEN them to continue receiving benefits. cine at Maharaja Sayajirao University in OF TENNESSEE Madam Speaker, my legislation addresses Baroda, India, where he also attended Medical IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES this problem by prohibiting the federal govern- College. After his schooling, Dr. Shah made Monday, February 25, 2019 ment from stripping individuals of their Medi- his way to Philadelphia to complete his resi- dency at Philadelphia General Hospital. Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today care, Medicaid, and SSI benefits before the in- to celebrate the life of Russell B. Sugarmon— mate has been convicted of a crime. It pre- In his career, Dr. Shah has made Pediatrics a top priority. While teaching and in practice, a great American jurist, Civil Rights leader, po- serves the partnership between the federal litical pioneer and elder statesman from my and local governments and ensures that local Dr. Shah has made a lasting impact at every stop. He has held Directorships at the Pedi- hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Judge governments are not burdened with an unfair atric Cardiac Noninvasive Services, Regional Sugarmon died Monday after a long illness at share of meeting the constitutional mandate to Sleep Apnea Center and Pediatric Cardiac the age of 89 but will be remembered forever guarantee medical coverage. I encourage my Catherization Laboratory at the Children’s as a crusading legal scholar who worked to colleagues to join me in supporting this com- Hospital of Illinois at OSF St. Francis Medical end segregation in the Memphis public monsense bill that addresses a problem af- Center in Peoria, Illinois. Dr. Shah has also schools and for being a political genius who fecting communities all across the nation. dedicated his life to research. He has received helped behind the scenes to elect the African approval for four Medical Grants through the American and progressive candidates who re- f American Heart Association. To recognize his shaped Memphis. In 1959, Sugarmon was one ability, in 1986 and 1992 the Pediatric Resi- of the first African Americans to run for city- MONICA MAJOR dent Physicians at St. Francis Medical Center wide office when he sought to be commis- and University of Illinois College of Medicine sioner for public works. In 1966, he was elect- ´ at Peoria presented Dr. Shah with awards for ed to become Tennessee’s second African HON. JOSE E. SERRANO his impressive teaching methods. American state representative since Recon- OF NEW YORK During his tenure, the medical community struction and was later elected a General Ses- has had no better champion than Dr. Shah. sions Court judge after serving as a partner in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES He has always been a fierce advocate for the Memphis’ and Tennessee’s first integrated law firm—Ratner, Sugarmon, Lucas and Willis. Monday, February 25, 2019 advancement of Pediatrics. Central Illinois will forever be grateful for Dr. Shah’s years of Other legendary attorneys such as Bill Mr. SERRANO. Madam Speaker, it is with service. Caldwell, Irvin Salky, Troy Henderson, Walter Bailey, Jr., Russell X. Thompson and Tom Ar- great pleasure that I rise today to honor Ms. f Monica Major for her many years of advocacy nold hung their hats and licenses there. From and public service in the Bronx. She is a great ROGER WAGNER RECEIVES THE 1976 to 1987, Judge Sugarmon was a referee example of the countless contributions that Af- PRESIDENTS’ AWARD in the Memphis Juvenile Court system, step- rican Americans make to our Nation every ping down in May 1987 when he was ap- day. HON. PAUL COOK pointed a General Sessions Court Judge. He was elected to the bench in 1988 and was re- Ms. Major previously served as the Bronx OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES elected in 1990 and 1998. Russell Bertram Representative on the Panel for Educational Sugarmon, Jr. graduated from the city’s Book- Policy of the New York City Department of Monday, February 25, 2019 er T. Washington High School in 1946 at the Education. In addition, she volunteered for Mr. COOK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to age of 15. Sugarmon spent a year at More- Bronx Community School District 11 for sev- recognize the service and commitment of house College—in the class a year behind Dr. eral years, and served as President of the Dis- Roger Wagner, who received the Presidents’ Martin Luther King, Jr.—and transferred to trict 11 Community Education Council. One of Award from the Victor Valley College Founda- Rutgers University, where he received his un- Ms. Major’s greatest accomplishments has tion on February 23, 2019. dergraduate degree in Political Science in been serving on the Citywide Parent Commis- Roger served as the Victor Valley College 1950. He received his J.D. from Harvard Uni- sion on School Governance as a parent advo- Superintendent and President for over four versity in 1953 and spent the following two cate to ensure that the voices of Bronx par- years and officially retired at the end of 2018. years in the U.S. Army based mainly in Japan. ents were heard in addressing school govern- Prior to his retirement, he was instrumental in After returning to the United States, he did fur- ance issues. She is still committed to address- Victor Valley College receiving full accredita- ther graduate studies at Boston University, ing quality of education throughout the Bronx. tion from the Accrediting Commission for then came back to Memphis in 1956 to estab- A tireless and dedicated public servant, Ms. Community and Junior Colleges. Roger has a lish a private legal practice. Judge Sugarmon Major currently serves as the Director of Edu- passion for education and understands the im- worked tirelessly even when victory wasn’t in cation and Youth Services for Bronx Borough portance of the college providing local stu- the cards and kept the faith, knowing that it would come in time. He was one of the most President Rube´n Dı´az, Jr. She is a graduate dents with an affordable and high quality edu- cation. Roger was responsible for a number of learned strategists on politics and history in of Baruch College and is a certified mediator. successes for the college, including hosting our community, avoiding the limelight but hold- Ms. Major is also a member of the National the 2017 Youth Poverty Symposium, opening ing sway as the influential wise man behind Council of Negro Women, North Bronx Sec- the Automotive and Welding Facility, and de- the scenes in collaboration with a biracial and tion. She is the mother of two and still remains veloping new programs including Industrial tolerant group of progressive leaders. Judge very active in her community. Maintenance and Manufacturing programs. He Sugarmon was a mentor, supporter and friend Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join is married to his wife Stacy and together they of mine my entire life and I am eternally grate- me in paying tribute to Ms. Monica Major for have two children. ful to have been so fortunate to have shared her strong commitment to students and for her Before my career in politics, I had the privi- time with this remarkably knowledgeable, judi- vigorous advocacy on education issues. lege of working with Roger at Copper Moun- cious and beloved man. Last year, Congress VerDate Sep 11 2014 06:25 Feb 26, 2019 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A25FE8.019 E25FEPT1 February 25, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E205 passed and the President signed into law my REMEMBERING THE KHOJALY TRIBUTE TO THE 2018 ELLIS IS- bill designating the post office at 1325 Autumn TRAGEDY LAND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPI- Avenue as the Russell B. Sugarmon Post Of- ENTS fice. I had hoped Judge Sugarmon would be on hand for its dedication later this year but its HON. VIRGINIA FOXX HON. DARIN LaHOOD existence will stand as a lasting physical OF NORTH CAROLINA OF ILLINOIS monument to his stature in our city, in our IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES state and in our nation. No one is more de- Monday, February 25, 2019 serving.

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