The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Issues Statement Honoring Justice Thurgood Marshall

WASHINGTON, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, by unanimous vote, today issued a statement celebrating the life and legal legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall, born July 2, 1908. The full statement can be viewed here: http://www.usccr.gov/press/2016/PR_StatementThurgoodMarshall_071516.pdf

Justice Marshall is considered the most impactful civil rights lawyer activist in United States' history. He founded the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, and as its chief counsel argued landmark civil rights cases before the Supreme Court, including Shelley v. Kramer, McLaurin v. Oklahoma State Regents, and Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. Justice Marshall later became the first African-American to serve as Solicitor General and as a Justice on the Supreme Court. He served on the Court from 1967 to 1991. Justice Marshall is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Today, Justice Marshall remains an inspiration to many and a giant in the field of civil rights, and we are proud to honor his memory.

Commission Chairman Martin R. Castro stated on behalf of the Commission, "The legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall lives on today in the work of the U.S Commission on Civil Rights, and in those of us who but for his work in Brown v. Board of Education would not now be where we are. We must continue to work to ensure that his vision of fairness and justice is a reality for all Americans."

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights matters and issuing a federal civil rights enforcement report. For information about Commission's reports and meetings, visit http://www.usccr.gov.  Please follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/usccrgov.

Media Contact: Brian Walch 
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SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights