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“EXPRESSING SADNESS UPON THE PASSING OF JUDGE HENRY LATIMER” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E261 on Feb. 16, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
EXPRESSING SADNESS UPON THE PASSING OF JUDGE HENRY LATIMER
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HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express great sadness about the tragic death of my good friend, former Broward Circuit Court Judge Henry Latimer.
Known by his friends as `Lat', Henry Latimer was an extraordinary gentleman who achieved great success as a teacher, lawyer, judge, and trial attorney. Growing up in Jacksonville's projects, he attended segregated schools and was initially unable to supplement scholarship offers he had received from colleges around the country. Instead, he chose to serve in the U.S. Marines for 3 years and went on to teach economics and history at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale.
From humble beginnings, Judge Latimer proved himself to be a hard-
working and scholarly professional. He received a bachelor's degree at Florida A&M University, a master's degree from Florida Atlantic University, was employed by the U.S. Labor Department, and in 1970, enrolled as the only Black law student at the University of Miami.
In 1979, Judge Latimer was appointed to the Broward Circuit Court, only the third African-American to do so, and was soon after rated the
``most qualified'' judge in the Circuit. Twice nominated for a federal judgeship, Lat stepped down from the bench to work for a large firm and established the Laura Latimer Free Legal Clinic in memory of his late sister.
Most recently, Henry Latimer was a trial attorney and shareholder in the law firm of Greenberg Traurig. There he had become very involved in cases of civil rights, wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, age discrimination and legal malpractice. In all these areas, judges and lawyers alike have relied on him for his legal expertise and professionalism.
Many, as I did, also relied on him as a mentor and a friend. Judge Latimer and I became close personal friends while serving on the bench and he has been an invaluable source of support. He has made a profound contribution to the legal community as exemplified by his impressive achievements. I will greatly miss his wise counsel, compassion and unwavering personal support during the good times and the bad. As a friend, the loss is simply immeasurable.
Listing his many achievements does little to encompass Henry Latimer's exceptional life. He succeeded in the face of adversity through sheer determination, hard work and a faith in the law. This country has lost a great man in Judge Latimer, and he will be sorely missed by all.
Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by again expressing my great sadness. On behalf of the House of Representatives, I offer my deepest sympathies to Judge Latimer's family, his wife Mildred, and his two daughters.
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