HR435: HR435 Allen, Judge John; condolences

25 LC 112 3127 House Resolution 435 By: Representatives Buckner of the 137th, Reese of the 140th, Hugley of the 141st, Smith of the 138th, and Rice of the 139th A RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of Judge John Allen; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished citizens2 with the passing of Judge John Allen, a native of Columbus, Georgia; decorated fighter pilot;3 and exemplary member of the judiciary; and4 WHEREAS, Judge John Allen served as a guardian of this nation's freedom and liberty with5 the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged from service as a captain in 1973,6 earning six Distinguished Flying Crosses and 23 Air Medals; and7 WHEREAS, after his military service, he pursued legal education at the University of Florida8 and returned to Columbus in 1976 to begin his distinguished career in law, later serving as9 a judge in the Recorder's Court, State Court, and Superior Court of Muscogee County for a10 combined 26 years; and11 WHEREAS, a trailblazer for civil rights, Judge John Allen march ed in Selma for voting12 rights in 1965, and in the 1970s, he co-founded the first integ rated law firm in Columbus,13 paving the way for greater representation and equality in the legal profession; and14 H. R. 435 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3127 WHEREAS, he served as the chief judge of the Chattahoochee Judi cial Circuit upon his15 retirement in 2013 and was inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame in 202016 in recognition of his outstanding service to both his country and his community; and17 WHEREAS, his legacy of leadership extended beyond the courtroom through his18 involvement in numerous community organizations, including the Columbus Airport19 Commission, the Columbus High School Vocational Education Advisory Board, the Urban20 League Board of Directors, the Area Ten Special Olympics Advisory Board, and the African21 American Historic Preservation Society; and22 WHEREAS, he was a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation23 for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness, and by the example he made of his life, he24 made this world a better place in which to live; and25 WHEREAS, a compassionate and generous man, Judge John Allen will long be remembered26 for his love of family, friendship, and community and will be missed by all who had the great27 fortune of knowing him.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that29 the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory o f Judge John Allen and30 express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.31 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized32 and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the33 family of Judge John Allen.34 H. R. 435 - 2 -