In his 44-year tenure on the federal bench, Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr. (11th Cir.) was vilified by politicians, called the “most hated man in Alabama” by the Ku Klux Klan, and received so many death threats he and his family were under constant federal protection from 1961 to 1975. However, his rulings on school desegregation, voting rights, access to public facilities and other civil rights questions, helped change the social and political fabric of the country. When he died last month, the Senate introduced and agreed to Resolution 165, which states in part:

“Whereas in a time when men of lesser fortitude would have avoided direct confrontation of the highly unpopular issues of school desegregation and voting rights for African-Americans, Judge Johnson stood firm in upholding the Constitution and the law; . . . .

“Whereas in part because of Judge Johnson’s upholding of the law, attitudes that were once intolerant and extreme have dissipated; . . .

“Whereas the American people will always remember Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. for exemplifying unwavering moral courage in the advancement of the wholly American ideal that ‘all men are created equal’ and deserve ‘equal protection of the laws’ and for upholding the law; . . .

The Senate hereby honors the memory of Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. for his exemplary service to his country and for his outstanding example of moral courage.”