Past Newsletters

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Daniel Anders (PA), Vice-President; Beth A. Allen (OR); Mary A. Celeste (CO); J. Gary Cohen (BC); Marisa Demeo (DC); Elizabeth Garry (NY); Linda E. Giles, Ex Officio; Steven E. Kirkland (TX); Larnzell Martin, Jr. (MD), Secretary Victoria S. Kolakowski (CA), President; Ian Jack Miller (NY); Michael R. Sonberg (NY), Ex Officio; Mark F. Scurti (MD); Theodore M. Weathers (CA), Treasurer; and D. Zeke Zeidler (CA), Ex Officio.

ANNUAL MEETING

12:00 Noon, AUGUST 4, 2017

The Hyatt Regency San Francisco Hotel

5 Embarcadero Center, San Francisco

May 17, 2017 Update

Hello,

This update features recognition received by the late Commissioner Barry H. Kohn (CA), a founding member of the Association, and Senior United States District Court Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley (Southern District, FL).  Each recognition minds me that we really need to undertake a project to thoroughly collect “our” stories to share with each other and those who might elect to follow us.

Thanks to Barry’s husband, Will Cox, and Judge Hurley for allowing the Association to be a part of such meaningful moments in your lives.

All the best,

HONORING BARRY H. KOHN

On May 3^rd, Judge D. Zeke Zeidler (CA) and I received the following email message from Will Cox:

Larnzell, Zeke,

I wanted to let you know my beloved Barry’s name was added to the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park here in San Francisco this morning. With the help of our dear friend John Cunningham the Executive Director of the Grove along with the staff Steve Sagaser and Matt Kennedy, Barry’s name was expedited. I had informed them that the IALGBT Judges Association is meeting this year in San Francisco in August and although the engraving is usually done in November to be completed for World AIDS Day December 1st, John knew Barry was one if the founders and pushed to have Barry’s name added sooner so it would be a part on the memorial when you meet.

Please share this information with anyone you think would want to know. I know you’re busy during the meetings and time is booked but The Grove is an amazing place. If anyone is interested too I’d be happy to meet.

Thank you, Will

Will attached to the message this photograph of the engraving, showing Barry’s name and part of the work in progress:

My response to Will included “The Association’s schedule is not heavily booked for August and my urging is that we have to make time to recognize Barry and the memorial.”  As is the case with me and Judge Zeidler, I am sure that for many members a visit to the Memorial will not depend on a formal scheduling; however, if a visit is not scheduled as part of our activities, I will undertake to organize a visit for those interested and attempt to coordinate a time with Will.

For more information about the Grove, open up this hyperlink.

THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JUDGE HURLEY HELPED BUILD

Yesterday, I opened a personal note from Senior Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley:

Dear Larnzell,

I was stunned by this but I thought I should share it with you.

Sincerely,

Dan

The deliciously “stunning” information shared was an enclosed copy of this article:

Palm Beach County courthouse renamed after federal judge who helped get it built

Palm Beach County’s main courthouse is being renamed after the federal judge who played a key role in getting it built.

The County Commission on Tuesday agreed to name the state and county courthouse on North Dixie Highway in downtown West Palm Beach after Senior U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley.

The bow-tie-wearing judge announced his retirement this year after a more than 40-year legal career that included presiding over county and federal courts.

He recently presided over the civil trial of a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy who shot and killed an unarmed man at a Loxahatchee Groves nursery.

Hurley was “instrumental” in pushing for building the courthouse that opened in 1995, said Commissioner Dave Kerner who called for the renaming.

Hurley led the contingent of community leaders who worked with local cities to secure countywide support for constructing a new courthouse. The 11-story courthouse had a price tag that grew to $125 million.

Hurley, originally from Massachusetts, was a seminary student before going to George Washington University Law School, where he graduated in 1968, according to the Federal Judicial Center.

He started his legal career as a law clerk in Washington, D.C., and then moved to Palm Beach County to become assistant county solicitor.

Hurley was an assistant state attorney from 1973 to 1975, when he became a county court judge.

Hurley went on to serve as a circuit court and appeals court judge. President Bill Clinton in November 1993 nominated Hurley for the U.S. District Court and he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 1994.

He became a senior judge in 2009. On Tuesday, he was presiding in the federal courthouse. And his official calendar runs through at least October.

Renaming the courthouse after Hurley required commissioners to waive a county policy against naming buildings after people — an exception commissioners have waved through the years to honor long-serving public servants. The building where commissioners held the vote is named after Robert Weisman, who retired as county administrator in 2015.