Congressman Cohen Applauds Senate Passage of Bill Renaming the Memphis Federal Building for Judge Odell Horton
Congressman’s bill now goes to the President to be signed into law
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) tonight applauded the Senate's passage of his bill renaming the Memphis federal building exclusively for the late Judge Odell Horton. The measure, which removes the name of the late Congressman and segregationist Clifford Davis, now goes to President Biden to be signed into law. The House passed the measure on November 4 on a vote of 422 to 2, including the support of the entire Tennessee delegation.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
"This is a proud day for Memphis and a satisfying legislative accomplishment. The first bill I passed in Congress, in 2007, was to add Judge Odell Horton's name to the Memphis federal building in which he served. Seeing the Senate pass the bill today moves us one step closer to naming the federal building and courthouse in which he presided exclusively for Judge Horton. I look forward to seeing President Biden sign this bill into law and to the ceremonial renaming in Memphis next year."
Judge Horton left a legacy as the first Black federal judge in the Western District of Tennessee appointed since Reconstruction.
He also served as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, an Assistant U.S. Attorney, the first African American member of Memphis Mayor Henry Loeb's city administration as the head of health and hospitals, and the president of LeMoyne-Owen College.
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