[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E261]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       EXPRESSING SADNESS UPON THE PASSING OF JUDGE HENRY LATIMER

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2005

  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 U.S. Marines for 3 years and went on to teach 
economics and history at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale.
  From humble beginnings, Judge Latimer proved himself to be a hard-
working and scholarly professional. He received a bachelor's degree at 
Florida A&M University, a master's degree from Florida Atlantic 
University, was employed by the U.S. Labor Department, and in 1970, 
enrolled as the only Black law student at the University of Miami.
  In 1979, Judge Latimer was appointed to the Broward Circuit Court, 
only the third African-American to do so, and was soon after rated the 
``most qualified'' judge in the Circuit. Twice nominated for a federal 
judgeship, Lat stepped down from the bench to work for a large firm and 
established the Laura Latimer Free Legal Clinic in memory of his late 
sister.
  Most recently, Henry Latimer was a trial attorney and shareholder in 
the law firm of Greenberg Traurig. There he had become very involved in 
cases of civil rights, wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, age 
discrimination and legal malpractice. In all these areas, judges and 
lawyers alike have relied on him for his legal expertise and 
professionalism.
  Many, as I did, also relied on him as a mentor and a friend. Judge 
Latimer and I became close personal friends while serving on the bench 
and he has been an invaluable source of support. He has made a profound 
contribution to the legal community as exemplified by his impressive 
achievements. 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.
  Listing his many achievements does little to encompass Henry 
Latimer's exceptional life. He succeeded in the face of adversity 
through sheer determination, hard work and a faith in the law. This 
country has lost a great man in Judge Latimer, and he will be sorely 
missed by all.
  Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by again expressing my great sadness. On 
behalf of the House of Representatives, I offer my deepest sympathies 
to Judge Latimer's family, his wife Mildred, and his two daughters.

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