[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 9 (Wednesday, February 2, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         EXPRESSING SADNESS UPON PASSING OF JUDGE HENRY LATIMER

  (Mr. HASTINGS of Florida asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  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 United States Marines for 3 years and went on to 
teach economics and history at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, 
Florida. His achievements are too numerous to mention without great 
prolixity.
  Many, as I, relied on him as a mentor and friend. Judge Latimer and I 
became close personal friends in law school and while he was serving on 
the bench and in our fraternity. He has been an invaluable source of 
support. He has made profound contributions to the legal community in 
Florida as exemplified by his impressive achievement. 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.
  Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by again expressing my great sadness on 
the behalf of the House of Representatives. I offer my deepest 
sympathies to Judge Latimer's family: his wife, Mildred; and his two 
daughters and other family members.

                          ____________________