Steve Cohen: “Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1087 honors the life of John H. ``Jack'' Ruffin, Jr. Judge Ruffin began his distinguished…”

“Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 1087 honors the life of John H. ``Jack'' Ruffin, Jr. Judge Ruffin began his distinguished legal career as a civil rights attorney, and throughout his career blazed a trail to advance civil rights for all. Judge Ruffin spent most of his life in the great State of Georgia. He was born in Burke County, Georgia, and graduated from Waynesboro High and Industrial School. He attended Morehouse College, and then moved to Washington, D.C. to attend law school at Howard University School of Law. After graduating from law school, Judge Ruffin returned to Georgia to practice law. Only 3 years into his legal career, he filed lawsuits to desegregate the public school systems of Richmond County and Burke County in Georgia. After several additional years of fighting for civil rights, Judge Ruffin became the first African American member of the Augusta Bar Association. After 33 years of practicing law, Judge Ruffin was administered the oath of office and took the bench as the 62nd judge of the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia. He made history as the first African American Superior Court Judge in the Augusta Judicial Circuit, and later made history again when he served as the first African American Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals. At the time of his death, Judge Ruffin held a teaching position at Morehouse College, still actively engaged in inspiring those to follow.”