Bill Text: GA SR976 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Ruffin, Jr., Honorable John H.; condolences
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-2)
Status: (Passed) 2010-02-05 - Senate Read and Adopted [SR976 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-SR976-Enrolled.html
10 LC
94 2028
Senate
Resolution 976
By:
Senators Powell of the 23rd, Brown of the 26th, Jackson of the 24th, Tate of the
38th, Ramsey, Sr. of the 43rd and others
A
RESOLUTION
Honoring
the life and memory of the Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr.; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia has lost one of her most distinguished public servants,
innovative legal minds, and civil rights advocates with the passing of the
Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr.; and
WHEREAS,
a native of Waynesboro, Georgia, Judge Ruffin earned his bachelor's degree from
Morehouse College and his law degree from Howard University School of Law and
was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1961;
WHEREAS,
Judge Ruffin was the first African American Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals
of Georgia, the first African American Superior Court Judge for the Augusta
Judicial Circuit, and the first African American member of the Augusta Bar
Association; and
WHEREAS,
during the nearly five decades Judge Ruffin practiced law and sat on the bench,
he was recognized with numerous awards and honors, including a Trailblazer Award
from Georgia Minority Judges, a Logan E. Bleckley Award for Judicial Excellence
from the Atlanta Bar Association, a Judicial Council Hall of Fame Award from the
National Bar Association, an Outstanding Service Award from the National Alumni
Association of Morehouse College, and a Man of the Year Award from the Augusta
Branch of the NAACP; and
WHEREAS,
Judge Ruffin was an honest and dedicated public servant who strove for
excellence in all his endeavors and whose primary concern was always the fair
and impartial administration of justice; and
WHEREAS,
his colleagues knew him as a clear thinker and hard worker, as a man whose
strong convictions were supported by meticulous research and careful
consideration, and as an equitable, impartial leader whose decisions were
governed by the rules of honesty and fair play; and
WHEREAS,
Judge Ruffin's leadership and guidance were instrumental to many civic and
professional organizations, including the Board of Trustees of the Institute of
Continuing Judicial Education of Georgia, the Georgia Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers, the Boys Club of Augusta, and the Voter Education Project, to
name just a few; and
WHEREAS,
Judge Ruffin leaves behind many who will cherish his memory and legacy,
including his loving wife, Judith; his son and daughter-in-law, Brinkley and
Candace; and his grandsons, Bryson and Myles; and
WHEREAS,
an intelligent and compassionate man, Judge Ruffin will long be remembered for
his love family and friendship, and this loyal husband, father, grandfather, and
jurist will be missed by all who had the great fortune of knowing him;
and
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia mourns the loss of this trusted and enduring public figure,
a principled statesman and strong defender of the law with a sharp legal mind
and a passion for justice.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join to
honor the life and achievements of the Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr., express
their deepest regret at his passing, and extend their most sincere condolences
to his family.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of the
Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr.
