[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E447]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE LATE JUDGE C. CLYDE ATKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 1999

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor and 
tribute to the life and the enormous contributions of Judge C. Clyde 
Atkins, who passed away on the morning of March 11th. As a United 
States District Court Judge, Judge Atkins was not only a colleague, a 
dear friend, but also a mentor. Judge Atkins truly saw the humanity in 
everyone. He championed the rights of the homeless, Cuban exiles, and 
Haitian refugees in his landmark decisions, such as the establishment 
of ``safe zones'' for the homeless to be free of police harassment in 
Miami. His rulings to prevent the repatriation of Haitian and Cuban 
refugees from the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are legendary 
precedents. His efforts to improve our humanity gave encouragement and 
inspiration to an entire community. It is not enough to say that he 
will be missed. It is not even enough to say that his efforts will 
never be forgotten. I believe that the legacy of the Honorable Judge C. 
Clyde Atkins will forever live in the lives of all those whom he has 
inspired. I, for one, am a better American for knowing him.

                          ____________________