E1174 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 28, 2012 during the day and dedicates his time to vol- unanimously upheld by the United States Su- INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION IN unteer as Reserve Deputy Sheriff with the L.A. preme Court, Judge Keith’s decision held un- SUPPORT OF THE XIX INTER- Sheriff’s Department at night. constitutional wiretap surveillance absent a NATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE At 3 a.m. on January 2, 2012, Deputy Sher- court order in domestic security cases. iff Lalezary became a local hero and a na- Judge Keith continued to safeguard con- HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS tional sensation when he captured Harry OF FLORIDA stitutional rights and civil liberties on the Burkhart, a 24-year-old German national IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES whom Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Thursday, June 28, 2012 called ‘‘perhaps . the most dangerous ar- Circuit, where he has served since his ap- sonist in the county of Los Angeles.’’ Burkhart pointment in 1977 by President James E. Car- Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I was arrested for setting a rash of car and ter. In the 1980s, Judge Keith served as chair rise today to introduce a resolution in support building fires across the city. Following his ar- of Sixth Circuit and Judicial Conference Com- of the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), which takes place from July 22, rest, there were no more suspicious fires doc- mittees commemorating the Bicentennial of 2012, through July 27, 2012, at the Walter E. umented in Los Angeles. the Constitution. He took senior status in Deputy Sheriff Lalezary is a hero who dem- Washington Convention Center in Washington, 1995. onstrates exemplary values and integrity and DC. This year’s conference is of particular sig- most-importantly inspires his peers. During his Judge Keith was born in Detroit, Michigan nificance, as it represents the return of the numerous press conferences, public events, on July 4, 1922 and became the first member International AIDS Conference to the United and even an appearance on the TV show of his family to attend college, earning a bach- States after the 1987 HIV travel and immigra- ‘‘Ellen,’’ he has continued to impress us with elor’s degree from West Virginia State Col- tion ban was lifted in 2010. My resolution sup- his selfless dedication and altruism. He contin- lege. After serving our Nation for three years ports a stronger international response to HIV/ AIDS that seeks to foster greater scientific and ually downplays his role in the arrest, deflect- in the U.S. Army, he went on to receive an ing questions about himself and his personal programmatic collaborations around the world LL.B. from Howard University Law School and in order to prevent the transmission of HIV; in- life, and praising the deputies at the sheriff’s an LL.M. in labor law from Wayne State Uni- West Hollywood station. crease access to testing, treatment, and care; versity Law School. Shervin’s commitment to serving Los Ange- and improve health outcomes for all people les and keeping us safe reflects the Jewish Judge Keith started his legal career with the living with HIV/AIDS. value of tikkun olam and the importance of African-American Detroit law firm of Loomis, There are currently 33.4 million people living giving back to our country. 30 Years After, an Jones, Piper & Colden and was one of six De- with HIV/AIDS worldwide, and more than 25 Iranian-American non-profit organization that troit attorneys invited to the White House in million have died of AIDS since the first cases were reported in 1981. In the United States, promotes civic participation, rightfully pre- 1963 by President John F. Kennedy to discuss sented Shervin with the 2012 Public Service more than one million people are living with the role of lawyers in the civil rights struggle. HIV/AIDS and approximately 50,000 individ- Award on behalf of 30 Years After and the Later, Judge Keith and four other African- Persian-American community. uals become newly infected with the virus American attorneys established a law firm in Mr. Speaker and distinguished colleagues, each year. Furthermore, one in five individuals we ask you to join us in recognizing Deputy what had previously been the all-white legal living with HIV is unaware of their infection Sheriff Shervin Lalezary for his years of serv- district of downtown Detroit. At this time, and societal stigma remains a significant chal- ice and dedication to the safety and well being Judge Keith also served as Chair of the Michi- lenge, underscoring the need for greater edu- of our community. He is the epitome of a true gan Civil Rights Commission and President of cation about HIV/AIDS and access to testing. humanitarian. the Detroit Housing Commission. Significant disparities also persist across di- f verse communities and populations with re- Throughout his distinguished career, Judge gard to incidence, access to treatment, and HONORING THE SERVICE OF Keith has received numerous honors and health outcomes, particularly for men who JUDGE DAMON J. KEITH awards, including: the National Association for have sex with men (MSM), racial and ethnic the Advancement of Colored People’s highest minorities, women, and young people. HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. award, the Spingarn Medal, in 1974; the Since 1985, the now biennial International OF MICHIGAN American Bar Association’s Thurgood Marshall AIDS Conference has brought together the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Award in 1997; and, the Edward J. Devitt world’s leading scientists, public health ex- perts, policymakers, community leaders, and Thursday, June 28, 2012 Award for Distinguished Service to Justice in 1998, presented by a panel comprised of a persons living with HIV/AIDS in order to ad- Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor dress the major issues facing the global re- United States Supreme Court Justice, a fed- the career and service to the United States of sponse to HIV/AIDS; evaluate recent scientific eral circuit court judge, and a federal district Judge Damon J. Keith on the occasion of his developments and share knowledge; and fa- 90th birthday. court judge. cilitate a collective strategy forward. AIDS Since joining the federal judiciary, Judge Judge Keith also holds honorary degrees 2012 is organized by the International AIDS Keith has steadfastly and courageously pro- from Harvard University, Yale University, Society (IAS) and expected to convene more tected the constitutional and civil rights of this Georgetown University, the University of than 20,000 delegates from nearly 200 coun- country’s citizens. Michigan, Tuskegee University, and over thirty tries, including 2,000 journalists. The theme of In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson ap- other institutions. AIDS 2012, ‘‘Turning the Tide Together,’’ em- pointed Judge Keith to the U.S. District Court bodies both the promise and urgency of uti- for the Eastern District of Michigan, making In addition, Judge Keith has played an ac- lizing recent scientific advances in HIV/AIDS him only the second African-American to sit on tive role in numerous civic, cultural, and edu- treatment and biomedical prevention; con- that court at that time. During his tenure on cational organizations, including the Detroit tinuing research for an HIV vaccine and cure; the District Court, Judge Keith delivered sev- YMCA, the Detroit Arts Commission, the De- and scaling up effective, evidence-based inter- eral key civil rights rulings. He addressed the troit Cotillion Club, and Interlochen Arts Acad- ventions in key settings in order to change the issue of school desegregation in Davis v. emy, and has served as an active fundraiser course of the HIV/AIDS crisis. School District of the City of Pontiac in 1970; for the United Negro College Fund and the AIDS 2012 is a tremendous opportunity to of employment discrimination and affirmative Detroit NAACP. further strengthen the role of the United States action in Stamps v. Detroit Edison Co., in in global HIV/AIDS initiatives; re-energize the 1973 and Baker v. City of Detroit in 1979; and For fifty-three years, Judge Keith was mar- response to the domestic epidemic within the finally, of housing discrimination in Garrett v. ried to the late Rachel Boone Keith, M.D., with current context of significant global economic City of Hamtramck in 1971 and Zuch v. whom he had three daughters, Gilda, Debbie, challenges; and focus particular attention on Hussey in 1975. Judge Keith became Chief and Cecile. the devastating impact that HIV is having on Judge of the Eastern District of Michigan in For his consistent defense of the Constitu- different communities across the country. My resolution supports the goal of bringing re- 1975. tion and the civil rights of all people, on his In 1971, Judge Keith issued a landmark civil newed awareness of, and commitment to, ad- 90th birthday, I honor and thank Judge Keith liberties ruling in U.S. v. Sinclair, which came dressing the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United to be known as the ‘‘Keith decision.’’ Later for his invaluable service to the United States. States and abroad. In particular, it recognizes VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:50 Jun 29, 2012 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A28JN8.016 E28JNPT1 smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REMARKS June 28, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1175 that formulating sound public health policy; year. ‘‘He was a leader at a critical time in the He also received many awards and honors, protecting human rights; advancing sexual and life of this medical school.’’ Dr. Mark described including the Abraham Flexner Medal for Dis- reproductive health and rights; addressing Dr.