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Paul Brown United States Courthouse Dedication Ceremony Held

October 22, 2014

WASHINGTON, DC . . .  Today, family of the late U.S. District Judge Paul Brown gathered with federal and local leaders in Sherman to formally dedicate the Federal Courthouse as the “Paul Brown United States Courthouse.”  Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04) sponsored the legislation, H.R. 1685, to name the courthouse, located at 101 East Pecan in Sherman, Texas, in honor of Judge Brown.  The bill was signed into law in December 2013.

            Speakers at today’s dedication included U.S. Magistrate Judge and former law clerk Amos Mazzant; Chief Judge Leonard Davis, Judge Richard A. Schell, and Judge Ron Clark, Eastern District of Texas; Chief Judge Carl E. Stewart, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals; and attorney and former law clerk Clyde Siebman.  Congressman Hall was unable to attend as he continues to focus on rehabilitation from an automobile accident earlier in the month.

            The youngest of six children, Paul Neeley Brown was raised on a farm near Pottsboro, Texas.  A graduate of Denison High School, Paul joined the U.S. Navy during World War II where he served as a minesweeper in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters before being discharged as an Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class in June 1946. 

            Judge Brown received his Juris Doctor degree in 1950 from The University of Texas before being recalled to active duty during the Korean War, again serving aboard a minesweeper that was sunk by mines off the coast of North Korea.  Upon receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1951, Judge Brown began practicing law, serving as Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1953-1959 and as U.S. District Attorney from 1959-1961.

            In 1985, Senator Phil Gramm recommended him to President Ronald Reagan for a new judgeship created for the Eastern District of Texas.  Upon his confirmation later that year, Judge Brown held court in Texarkana, Paris, Beaumont, and Sherman, ultimately presiding exclusively over the Sherman courthouse as caseload demanded.  Judge Brown served as U.S. Judge until 2006.  He passed away November 26, 2012.

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