[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 126 (Wednesday, October 11, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S10248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     JUDGE ROMAN S. GRIBBS, JUDGE FOR THE MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I am delighted to rise today to 
acknowledge a distinguished public servant, from my home state of 
Michigan, Judge Roman S. Gribbs, who will be retiring from the bench of 
the Michigan Court of Appeals, at the close of this year. In November, 
hundreds of his colleagues, friends and family will celebrate the 
career of this gentleman of the bench who played a distinct role in 
shaping Michigan's history.
  Judge Gribbs dedicated his academic and professional life to 
studying, teaching, enforcing, practicing and interpreting the laws 
that govern the citizens of Michigan. He excelled in his studies at the 
University of Detroit where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1954, 
graduating Magna Cum Laude. He taught at his alma mater from 1954 
through 1956 and served as an Adjunct Professor and Faculty member at 
the University of Michigan and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He 
implemented the law as an Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor from 1956 
through 1964 and in his service to the City of Detroit as presiding 
Traffic Court Referee.
  In 1968, Roman Gribbs' career in the law took a new turn when he was 
appointed, then elected, Sheriff of Wayne County. His commitment to 
strong and fair enforcement of the law earned him respect far beyond 
the boundaries of Michigan's most populous county.
  In 1969, Sheriff Gribbs was elected mayor of the city of Detroit, 
just 2 years after the city had endured one of the most destructive 
civil disturbances in the Nation's history. Under his leadership, the 
people of Detroit began to heal the city's wounds, to bridge their 
differences and to build their common future. As a newly elected member 
of Detroit's City Council in those years, I can testify with first hand 
knowledge to the debt this great American city owes to the calm, 
determined leadership of Mayor Roman Gribbs.
  After stepping down as mayor, Roman Gribbs followed his love for the 
law and won a seat on the bench of the Third Judicial Circuit and then 
on the Michigan Court of Appeals where he has served the people of 
Michigan with a high standard of ethics and courage.
  In addition to being a dedicated man of the bench, Judge Gribbs also 
finds solace in his involvement in the arts. His interest in the 
humanities and the cultural arts is evidenced through his service as a 
member of the Founders Society of the Detroit Institute of Art, the 
Detroit Historical Society and the Michigan Opera Theater.
  Despite all that Judge Gribbs has accomplished in a life of service 
to others those of us fortunate enough to have enjoyed his friendship 
may admire him most for the quiet qualities we have seen in him over 
many years--his unyielding integrity, his uncommon decency and perhaps 
most amazingly, given the tumultuous times he has lived in, his 
gentleness.
  Judge Gribbs can take pride in his long career of service and 
dedication to the law and to the people of Michigan. I know my 
colleagues will join me in saluting this man from Michigan, and in 
wishing him well in the years ahead.

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