[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     JUDGE WILLIAM AUGUSTUS BOOTLE

 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the life and legacy of U.S. District Judge William Augustus Bootle. 
Judge Bootle passed away yesterday at his home in Macon at the age of 
102.
  Judge Bootle and I became friends as I began my law practice 36 years 
ago. His leadership and integrity have had a great impact on my role as 
a public servant. From our first meeting until now, Judge Bootle and I 
have maintained a close working relationship and have had many 
opportunities to interact over the years.
  A stalwart of our country's judicial system, Judge Bootle will be 
remember for his unwavering commitment to doing what's right on behalf 
of all Americans, having led our country though some of the most 
difficult decisions in our Nation's history. Georgians will remember 
him for being fair and judicious in his verdicts and for being the type 
of judge before which all lawyers like to practice.
  He showed an exemplary sort of courage in the fight to desegregate 
the South and helped resolve many hard fought battles respective to the 
integration of Georgia's education systems. To this end, Judge Bootle 
was responsible for the admittance of the first black students in the 
University of Georgia.
  I would like to take this opportunity to quote from a book written by 
Frederick Allen which is entitled ``Atlanta Rising.'' This book deals 
with a lot of history which took place in the Atlanta area during the 
years of the civil rights movement. Two black applicants who were 
denied admittance to the University of Georgia filed suit in the middle 
district of Georgia, and quoting from this book, I read as follows:

       Two black applicants, Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes, 
     went to the court attacking the welter of excuses University 
     of Georgia officials had concocted to keep them out. The two 
     made a convincing case that the only reason they had been 
     denied admission was segregation, pure and simple. In a 
     ruling issued late on the afternoon of Friday, January 6, 
     1961, Judge William A. Bootle ordered Hunter and Holmes 
     admitted to the school, not in six months or a year, but 
     bright and early the next Monday morning.

  In the 1960s in Georgia, that took great judicial integrity.
  In the 105th Congress, my good friend Senator Paul Coverdell and I 
successfully led the charge to designate the Federal building and U.S. 
courthouse in Macon, GA, as the ``William Augustus Bootle Federal 
Building and United States Courthouse'' in the honor of his steadfast 
service to the people of Georgia.
  The legacy of Judge Bootle will continue to impact countless 
individuals across our great Nation and I know he will be sorely 
missed--but honored in high regard by future generations. My wife 
Julianne and I are proud to have counted Judge Bootle a close friend, 
and extend our deepest condolences and prayers to his family and loved 
ones.

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