Presidents have often exercised their recess powers to make historic
appointments to bring diversity to the courts. Four of the five first
African American appellate judges were recess-appointed to their first
Article III position: Judge William Hastie, recess appointed to the
Third Circuit by President Truman in 1949; Judge Thurgood Marshall,
recess appointed to the Second Circuit by President Kennedy in 1961;
Judge Spottswood Robinson recess appointed to the D.C. District Court
by President Kennedy in 1961; and Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, recess
appointed to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by President Johnson
in 1964.
Pennsylvania district court judge (later Third Circuit judge) Judge A. Leon Higginbotham
S. Res. 442: A resolution commemorating the life of A. Leon Higginbotham, JrSee Senator Bob Casey deliver speech.
Judge Higgenbotham
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02:31:32 his life was a testament to the enduring power of the words "we
shall overcome." leon higgenbotham helped our nation move close
er to the idea expressed in the building across the street in this
02:31:41 chamber -- equal justice under law." we are proud to have his wife
here with us today, as well as numerous family members, friends
friends, clerks and colleagues here with us today as we honor his
02:31:55 life and work and seek to keep the flame of leon higgenbotham burning
ever-bright ever-brightly. mr. president, i ask unanimous consent
the text of this resolution appear following my remarks in the "congressional
02:32:09 record" and i also ask that the full text of my remarks be included
in the record. the presiding officer: without objection. a senator:
i yield the floor. mr. specter: mr. president? the presiding officer:
02:32:19 the senior senator from pennsylvania pennsylvania. mr. specter:
i thank the senators for making time for us in the midst of the
pending legislation. at the outset i compliment my distinguished
Black History Month All Year Long.