Florida's entire Congressional delegation agrees on naming the Tallahassee federal courthouse for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida after Judge Jospeh Hatchett, first African-American on Florida Supreme Court, who was the first Black man to serve on a U.S. Court of Appeals in the Deep South, named by President Jimmy Cater to the old Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and then upon its being split, he served on the Eleventh Circuit, then retiring to work for Akerman Senterfitt.
From USA Today Network:
Tallahassee federal courthouse could be named after first Black state Supreme Court justice
Joseph Hatchett "continue(s) to inspire the people of Florida," Congressman Al Lawson says.
All 26 members of Florida's Congressional delegation are backing a bill to designate the U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee as the "Judge Joseph Woodrow Hatchett U.S. Courthouse."
Hatchett, who died in April, was Florida's first Black state Supreme Court justice. The 88-year-old was appointed to the court in 1975 by then-Gov. Reuben Askew.
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, Thursday introduced the measure (H.R. 4771) to name the courthouse, which is on North Adams Street.
Lawson called Hatchett a social justice pioneer who devoted his career to advocating for civil rights.
Read more:
- 'We lost a giant': First Black judge on Florida Supreme Court dies in Tallahassee
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“Dedicating this courthouse to Judge Hatchett would honor his influence and dedication to the enrichment of Florida, and communities of color across our nation," Lawson said in a statement.
"His legacy — especially as the state’s ‘Voice of Justice’ — is long-lasting ...this legislation is a fitting way to memorialize his contributions."
Lawson is the bill's sponsor, with every sitting Florida member of Congress a co-sponsor; the state has a 27-member delegation: Sixteen Republicans, 10 Democrats and one seat currently vacant.
Who was Joseph Hatchett?
Hatchett was a Florida A&M and Howard University School of Law graduate, who had also served as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida.
After his tenure on Florida's highest court (1975-79), former President Jimmy Carter appointed Hatchett to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and afterwards, the Eleventh Circuit. He was the first African American to serve as a federal appellate judge in the Deep South.
He retired from the bench in 1999.
"I am certain Judge Hatchett’s achievements will continue to inspire the people of Florida for generations to come,” Lawson said.
James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on him Twitter: @CallTallahassee
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