When the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) Diversity Committee honored Judge Julio L. Mendez, assignment judge in the Atlantic/Cape May Vicinage, and Judge Joseph A. Turula, presiding judge of the civil division in the Hudson Vicinage, with the Justice Thurgood Marshall Award last month, many were moved by their acceptance speeches.

Stirring and personal, the judges reflected on the legacy of the Supreme Court legend for whom the award is named, and on their own journeys to the Judiciary.

The following are excerpts from their speeches.

Judge Joseph A. Turula

"My journey is my own, and I make no proposition that it is harder, easier or equal to any other's. We each have our own journey to travel. I am a white, cisgender male of Polish-Italian heritage. I have traveled through life at times seemingly quite privileged and often read as immune to the firsthand experience of bias, discrimination and hate.

I am a gay man in my 50s. As such, while I have not known the personal experience of racism and sexism, I have witnessed and known the experiences of heterosexism and its dark twin, homophobia. As a man married to a man; a man married to a man of color, in fact, a married man of color who has experienced racism, I have the unique vantage point—a challenging vantage point—of witnessing race (and racism) in this society from a very distinct perspective.

I do not know in my own skin what it is to live as a person of color in U.S. society today, but I do know what it is to see how racism and other biases play out in very close proximity, both structurally and individually, both explicitly and individually, on a daily basis. This particular vantage point has significantly shaped my understanding of the call we all share to be upstanders in the face of injustice and bias wherever we find ourselves in life and, in particular, in our profession.

Upstanding takes many forms and expresses itself depending on circumstances and context. But the underlying principles are the same. Following the tragic death of her son, Rutgers student Tyler Clementi [who committed suicide], Jane Clementi and her husband have been dedicating themselves to the work of promoting upstanding…

The Upstanders' Pledge, in part, states: 'I will work to make others feel safe and included by treating them with kindness, respect and compassion. I will not use insulting or demeaning language, slurs, gestures, facial expressions or jokes about anyone's sexuality, size, gender, race, any kind of disability, religion, class, politics or other differences, in person or while using technology. If I realize I have hurt someone, I will apologize. I will remain vigilant and not be a passive audience or bystander to abusive actions or words…'

The work of upstanding for justice, fairness and respect should be part of the fabric of the cultures in which we work as judges, attorneys and legal professionals.

The work of equality under the law is not yet complete until it is experienced equitably by all…. Here in our comparably small sector of the world, we can rest on the laurels of great advancements in diversity and inclusion that we have made in our court system, the state bar association, and within our profession.

But the sad reality is there is much work still to be done, both to ensure the vitality of the diversity pipeline and [to] ensure equal protection, due process, and fundamental fairness  for the most marginalized in our society….

Today, November 20, is known as Transgender Day of Remembrance…[which] asks us to pause and remember those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia and to be more mindful of the systemic and physical violence endured by transgender people within our country and throughout the world.

When I began writing this speech some three weeks ago, the national news had covered the violent deaths of 19 transwomen of color in 2019. Today, that number is 21—stunning!

So, as we celebrate accomplishments and achievements in diversity and inclusion here this night, let us be very mindful of the continuing quest for equity and justice in which we all play our respective parts, and let us be particularly conscious of the most marginalized among us.

As Justice Marshall reminds us of those who have '…bent down and helped us pick up our boots,' may we deliberately and meaningfully be people who bend down and help others pick up the boots in their lives. To paraphrase another sound bite of wisdom from Justice Marshall, let us be reminded that the 'measure of [one's] greatness is [the] ability to retain compassion in times of [difficulty]' because 'in recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute.'"

Judge Julio L. Mendez

"I want to begin by acknowledging my mother and father, Luisa and Julio, for their sacrifices to ensure that I [would] have the opportunities that this great country has provided me. My parents both passed away. They would be so proud today. Neither of them went to college, but they taught me all the important lessons and the values that have guided my life.

…The decision to leave Communist Cuba made by my parents to come to the U.S. was a turning point in my life. I can only imagine how difficult a decision it was. Leaving behind all. Family, friends, language, culture, customs and all belongings.

…My family was received with open arms in America. We moved to Vineland, N.J., and today, 45 years later, we are still living in Vineland. My story is not unlike the stories of immigrants that have come to the U.S. from all over the world. It is all of our contributions that have made this country great.

Today, families and parents, just like my parents, from all over the world, are making the same difficult decisions. They are seeking the same our families were seeking: freedom, safety, opportunity and a better life for their children.

…Going to law school at Rutgers and then becoming a lawyer in 1981 was another key turning point of my life. I passed the bar and became a lawyer six years after coming to America.

I love the practice of law. I loved being my own boss, and working seven days a week, and particularly getting involved in community engagement and empower[ment]. This is a great profession; lawyers do great things everyday helping people, upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for everyone.

I am proud to be a lawyer and have tried to do my part upholding the best traditions of the legal profession my entire life. Many of my law clerks are here today. I guide them and mentor them to uphold the great traditions of the profession and to serve. I am so proud of all of their achievements.

There is no better example to using the law and the living Constitution as a tool for social justice than the legacy of Thurgood Marshall.

Thurgood Marshall, and leaders like him, opened the door for a young immigrant from Cuba like me, with a heavy accent, to attend law school. But for programs like affirmative action, I would not have been admitted into law school.

…Marshall and [Charles] Houston won Murray v. Pearson in January 1936, the first in a long string of cases designed to challenge and erode the legal basis for de jure racial segregation in the United States.

Thurgood Marshall's strategy of attacking inequality through the courts was pragmatic and effective. We owe—I owe—so much to Justice Marshall.

In July of 2002, I was appointed to the superior court bench. This is yet another turning point in my life…. As a judge, I am guided by the single principle of doing the right thing to the best of my ability each day. I particularly loved being a family judge. The most important work in the courthouse takes place in the family part. What could be more important than protecting children and helping families?

…My appointment by the chief justice to serve as an assignment judge, and I am so grateful for the appointment, provided me even a greater platform to achieve and to expand my vision of justice and to work to enhance the trust of the people with the courts.

I believe that Justice Marshall would have been proud of many of the programs and efforts that the Judiciary, under the leadership of the chief justice and the director, has implemented. Criminal justice reform, municipal court reform, domestic violence programs, recovery court, OJOS, safe surrender, child protection, protecting the elderly, just to highlight a few…

To close, I am thankful and humble for this recognition. The work continues so we can, with all of our efforts, uphold the legacy of Thurgood Marshall."