Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit District
1975
Citation:
You have earned the high respect of your colleagues and fellow citizens, both as a jurist and as a person; competence and compassion have been the hallmarks of your judicial tenure. A serious student of the law and legal precedent, your decisions are widely read and esteemed. You have not hesitated to break new ground, while seeking to maintain prudence and judicious balance in deciding complex and controversial issues. Your conduct of trials is such as to have merited you a Special Award in 1974 from the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association as an outstanding trial judge. At the same time, your understanding of the human condition, beset with weakness from within and inequity from without, has made you deeply conscious of the personal elements involved in each decision you make; your high regard for human and civil rights has set an example for lawyers and jurists everywhere. Your contribution to education and equal educational opportunity in Detroit and elsewhere, to the cause of adequate housing, to civic enterprises, and to your Church congregation is widely recognized. In a spirit of deep regard for you as a person and for your accomplishments, the niversity of Detroit is proud to have the opportunity of declaring you an Honorary Alumnus and to confer upon you this degree. Reverend President, it is my privilege to present the Honorable Damon J. Keith for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. Commencement, University of Detroit, School of Law, May 17, 1975.