Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth District
1993
Citation:
Since 1986, you have served admirably as circuit judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth District. In this position you are responsible for administering justice for the Midwest region, which includes Michigan. Your appointment to this position was made by then President Ronald Reagan in recognition of your dedication and accomplishments as an attorney and government official. Your varied and illustrious career in both the public and private sectors allows you to draw upon a wealth of experience in interpreting the spectrum of today's legal issues. As a strong proponent of civil rights and equality, you have contributed to the legal profession through noteworthy rulings on racial, criminal and First Amendment issues. Your judicial opinions and perspective on government policy have been widely published in newspapers and journals. Before your appointment to the Bench, you served your country notably through such state and federal governments positions as Deputy Secretary, United States Department of Energy; Special Assistant to President Ronald Reagan; Assistant Director, Office of Policy Development, and Assistant to the Solicitor General, United States Department of Justice. In recognition of your expertise, you have been awarded the Order of the Coif and the Secretary of the Department of Energy's Gold Medal. Throughout your professional career and early days as a student at Harvard University and the University of Chicago, you maintained a reputation for excellence and personal integrity. In recognition of your continued commitment to equality and justice for all, the University of Detroit Mercy bestows upon you the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, School of Law, May 16, 1993.