Congresswoman Waters, Alzheimer’s Association Honor Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, introduced Professor Charles J. Ogletree, Jr., Thursday, September 22nd, at a reception on Capitol Hill in his honor hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, and its sister organization, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement. Professor Ogletree, the Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law and Founding and Executive Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice, recently announced he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and plans to spread awareness of the condition.
“Those of us who have known and worked with Professor Ogletree admire his courage, his integrity, and his constant and continuing struggle to stand up for civil rights, especially the civil rights of those who have been oppressed, ignored, and left off of the agenda in American society,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Today, we admire his willingness to share his diagnosis with the world, and we appreciate his decision to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, especially among African Americans, who are about twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as whites.”
Professor Ogletree has received numerous honors and awards during his career, including the prestigious ABA Spirit of Excellence Award in recognition of his many contributions to the legal profession. In 2008, the National Law Journal named him one of the 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America. Every year since 2006, he has been named by Ebony Magazine as one of the 100+ Most Influential Black Americans. He was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the National Black Law Students Association, where he served as National President from 1977-1978. Professor Ogletree also received the first ever Rosa Parks Civil Rights Award given by the City of Boston, the Hugo A. Bedau Award given by the Massachusetts Anti-Death Penalty Coalition, and Morehouse College’s Gandhi, King, Ikeda Community Builders Prize.
Professor Ogletree is the author of many important books and articles on the complex subjects of race, justice, and equality under the law. His areas of interest include capital punishment, juvenile justice, clinical legal education, international law, comparative and foreign law (specifically South Africa), criminal defense law, criminal justice administration, race and the law, and race and criminal justice.
“I have worked closely with him over the years on the campaign to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and on the Wall Street Project,” explained Congresswoman Waters. “Every year, for more than 15 years, Professor Ogletree has joined me as a panelist at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, where he discussed mandatory minimum sentences and the devastating impact they have had on so many individuals and families. However, Professor Ogletree did not just explain the issue to lawyers and non-lawyers alike. He also motived and inspired all of us to advocate for change and work for justice in our communities.”
As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, Congresswoman Waters is working with her colleagues to expand Alzheimer’s research and address the needs of individuals and families affected by this disease. She succeeded in obtaining a significant increase in funding for Alzheimer’s research this year, when Congress allocated $936 million for Alzheimer’s research at the National Institutes of Health in fiscal year 2016. That is an increase of $350 million over the 2015 level. Congresswoman Waters also introduced Alzheimer’s Action Now, a set of bills that together will help Alzheimer’s patients and their families; promote public awareness; and encourage voluntary contributions to research efforts.
“I will continue to work closely with Professor Ogletree on all of our mutual interests, and Alzheimer’s will play a prominent role in our work,” said Congresswoman Waters.