In Memory of the Honorable Matthew J. Perry
Resolution 11 In Memory of the Honorable Matthew J. Perry
WHEREAS, South Carolina and the nation have lost one of the most accomplished United States District Judges and an icon of the civil rights movement, with the passing on July 29, 2011, at age 90 of Matthew J. Perry; and
WHEREAS, at a time of rigid racial segregation enforced by state and federal courts, Judge Perry grew to manhood and served in the United States Army in World War II; and
WHEREAS, Judge Perry dedicated his life to promoting equal opportunity for all persons as a private lawyer and chief attorney for the South Carolina Conference Branches National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and
WHEREAS, attorney Matthew J. Perry successfully initiated and prosecuted cases which broke the barriers of race in access to public accommodations, free speech, and desegregation of public primary, secondary, college, and graduate school education; and
WHEREAS, Matthew J. Perry distinguished himself as a judge on the United States Military Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina as its first African American judge; and
WHEREAS, by his intellectual brilliance, decency of demeanor, and reputation for the highest level of integrity, he became a role model for generations of lawyers and an inspiration for all who wear the robe;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices expresses its deepest condolences to Judge Perry's wife, Hallie Bacote Perry, his son, Michael Perry, and the people of South Carolina and mourns the passing of a true American hero.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ Board of Directors at the 2011 Annual Meeting on August 3, 2011.