Difference between revisions of "Winston E. Arnow"

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{{Infobox Biography
 
{{Infobox Biography
 
| subject_name  =Winston E. Arnow
 
| subject_name  =Winston E. Arnow
| image_name    =
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| image_name    =WinstonArnowPortrait.jpg
| image_size    =
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| image_size    =200px
 
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| date_of_birth  =[[March 13]], [[1911]]
 
| date_of_birth  =[[March 13]], [[1911]]
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| religion      =
 
| religion      =
 
| spouse        =Francis Day Cease Arnow
 
| spouse        =Francis Day Cease Arnow
| parents        =
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| parents        =Joseph Leslie Arnow
 
| children      =[[Ann Moulton]]
 
| children      =[[Ann Moulton]]
 
| signature      =
 
| signature      =
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The Honorable '''Winston Eugene "Bo" Arnow''' ([[1911]]-[[1994]]) was a federal judge serving in the [[District Court of North Florida]] who presided over numerous [[civil rights]] cases.
 
The Honorable '''Winston Eugene "Bo" Arnow''' ([[1911]]-[[1994]]) was a federal judge serving in the [[District Court of North Florida]] who presided over numerous [[civil rights]] cases.
  
Born in [[1911]], Judge Arnow grew up near Gainesville, Florida. He received his a B.B.A. from the University of Florida in 1932 and a J.D. from the university's College of Law in 1933. He joined the Army and became a Major in the JAG Corps during [[World War II]].
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Born in [[1911]], Judge Arnow grew up near Gainesville, Florida. He received his a B.B.A. from the University of Florida in 1932 and a J.D. from the university's College of Law in 1933. He served as a law clerk in the Florida Supreme Court from 1934-35, then practiced law and served as a municipal judge in Gainesville (from 1940-42). After the United States entered [[World War II]] he joined the Army and became a Major in the JAG Corps. Returning to Gainesville after the war, he again served as a municipal judge (from 1946-49) then resumed his law practice.
  
He practiced law in Gainesville for over 30 years, serving as a municipal judge from 1940-42 and 1946-49, and moved to Pensacola in 1966. He was nominated to the federal bench by President [[Wikipedia:Lyndon B. Johnson|Lyndon B. Johnson]] on [[November 29]], [[1967]], and confirmed by the Senate on [[December 7]].<ref>http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=63</ref> Arnow was the first federal judge to live in the city since the death of Judge [[William B. Sheppard]] in [[1934]].
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Arnow moved to Pensacola in 1966. When a new judicial seat was created by 80 Stat. 75, President [[Wikipedia:Lyndon B. Johnson|Lyndon B. Johnson]] nominated him to the bench on [[November 29]], [[1967]]. He was confirmed by the Senate and received his commission on [[December 7]].<ref>http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=63</ref> Arnow was the first federal judge to live in the city since the death of Judge [[William B. Sheppard]] in [[1934]].
  
 
Judge Arnow made a number of landmark [[civil rights]] decisions that affected the area. In [[1969]], he ordered the [[Segregation|desegregation]] of the [[Escambia County School District]]. He issued the [[1973]] injunction against [[Escambia High School]]'s use of the nickname "Rebels" and Confederate battle flag for their sports teams. In [[1978]] he ruled in favor of black groups to established single-member districts, which resulted in the election of African-Americans to the [[Pensacola City Council]], [[Escambia County Commission]] and [[Escambia County School Board]]. In [[1981]] he sealed a settlement in a discrimination case, requiring the Air Force to establish a $2 million fund and [[Eglin Air Force Base]] to hire 100 black workers for its civilian labor force and promote others already on the payroll. Judge [[Lacey Collier]] said of these decisions, "Judge Arnow was a man who was clearly ahead of his time, and, of course, damned and vilified for it. But history has proved he was right, not just legally but also morally."<ref>"Judge Winston Arnow, 83, whose civil rights rulings changed state." ''St. Petersburg Times'', December 1, 1994.</ref>
 
Judge Arnow made a number of landmark [[civil rights]] decisions that affected the area. In [[1969]], he ordered the [[Segregation|desegregation]] of the [[Escambia County School District]]. He issued the [[1973]] injunction against [[Escambia High School]]'s use of the nickname "Rebels" and Confederate battle flag for their sports teams. In [[1978]] he ruled in favor of black groups to established single-member districts, which resulted in the election of African-Americans to the [[Pensacola City Council]], [[Escambia County Commission]] and [[Escambia County School Board]]. In [[1981]] he sealed a settlement in a discrimination case, requiring the Air Force to establish a $2 million fund and [[Eglin Air Force Base]] to hire 100 black workers for its civilian labor force and promote others already on the payroll. Judge [[Lacey Collier]] said of these decisions, "Judge Arnow was a man who was clearly ahead of his time, and, of course, damned and vilified for it. But history has proved he was right, not just legally but also morally."<ref>"Judge Winston Arnow, 83, whose civil rights rulings changed state." ''St. Petersburg Times'', December 1, 1994.</ref>
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Arnow also presided over the case of the [[Wikipedia:Gainesville Eight|Gainesville Eight]], a group of Vietnam War veterans and protestors who were charged with planning an assault on the [[Wikipedia:1972 Republican National Convention|1972 Republican National Convention]]. All eight defendants were ultimately acquitted by a jury. In [[1985]] he issued a gag order silencing the four defendants in the high-profile [[Christmas abortion bombings]] case.
 
Arnow also presided over the case of the [[Wikipedia:Gainesville Eight|Gainesville Eight]], a group of Vietnam War veterans and protestors who were charged with planning an assault on the [[Wikipedia:1972 Republican National Convention|1972 Republican National Convention]]. All eight defendants were ultimately acquitted by a jury. In [[1985]] he issued a gag order silencing the four defendants in the high-profile [[Christmas abortion bombings]] case.
  
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[[Image:Arnow-Collier-Vinson.jpg|thumb|right|Judge Arnow with [[Lacey Collier]] and [[Roger Vinson]]]]
 
Congressman [[Jeff Miller]] later recalled of Arnow:
 
Congressman [[Jeff Miller]] later recalled of Arnow:
 
<blockquote>He was a friendly, soft-spoken country lawyer. Friends and colleagues regarded Judge Arnow as a southern gentleman in the traditional sense; very formal in court, yet very warm and friendly in everyday life. An avid sportsman, he was a good shooter and could frequently be found in his mint-condition green Jeep on his way to a dove hunt. … A political conservative and a strict constructionist, Judge Arnow believed firmly in the United States Constitution and followed the statutes and higher Federal Court decisions to the letter, even if he may have personally disagreed.<ref>[http://jeffmiller.house.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Speeches.Detail&Article_id=23 H.R. 1572, the Winston E. Arnow Federal Building Designation Act]</ref></blockquote>
 
<blockquote>He was a friendly, soft-spoken country lawyer. Friends and colleagues regarded Judge Arnow as a southern gentleman in the traditional sense; very formal in court, yet very warm and friendly in everyday life. An avid sportsman, he was a good shooter and could frequently be found in his mint-condition green Jeep on his way to a dove hunt. … A political conservative and a strict constructionist, Judge Arnow believed firmly in the United States Constitution and followed the statutes and higher Federal Court decisions to the letter, even if he may have personally disagreed.<ref>[http://jeffmiller.house.gov/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Speeches.Detail&Article_id=23 H.R. 1572, the Winston E. Arnow Federal Building Designation Act]</ref></blockquote>
  
Arnow was chief judge when he reached senior status in [[1981]]. He continued to take jury cases until 1990 and retained chambers in the courthouse for other matters until 1993. After months of declining health, he passed away at age 83 on [[November 28]], [[1994]]. In [[2003]], the old Spanish mission-style courthouse on [[Palafox Street]] was designated the [[Winston E. Arnow Federal Building]] by Congress in his honor.
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Arnow was chief judge when he reached senior status in [[1981]]. He continued to take jury cases until 1990 and retained chambers in the courthouse for other matters until 1993. After months of declining health, he passed away at age 83 on [[November 28]], [[1994]]. In [[2003]], the old Spanish mission-style courthouse on [[Palafox Street]] was designated the [[Winston E. Arnow Federal Building]] by Congress in his honor. The building was dedicated on [[May 20]], [[2011]].
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==Images==
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<gallery>
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Image:Arnow-family.jpg|Arnow with his daughter and wife
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Image:Arnow-1981-retirement-reagan.jpg|1891 letter from President Reagan acknowledging Arnow's retirement from active service
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Image:Arnow-hunting.jpg|Arnow on a hunting trip
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Image:Arnow-whibbs-award.jpg|Arnow receiving an award from [[Pensacola Mayor]] [[Vince Whibbs]]
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</gallery>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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[[Category:Federal judges|Arnow, Winston]]
 
[[Category:Federal judges|Arnow, Winston]]
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[[Category:Building namesakes|Arnow, Winston]]

Latest revision as of 15:23, 11 June 2011

Winston E. Arnow
WinstonArnowPortrait.jpg
Born March 13, 1911
Micanopy, Florida
Died November 28, 1994
Pensacola
Occupation Federal judge
Spouse Francis Day Cease Arnow
Parents Joseph Leslie Arnow
Children Ann Moulton

The Honorable Winston Eugene "Bo" Arnow (1911-1994) was a federal judge serving in the District Court of North Florida who presided over numerous civil rights cases.

Born in 1911, Judge Arnow grew up near Gainesville, Florida. He received his a B.B.A. from the University of Florida in 1932 and a J.D. from the university's College of Law in 1933. He served as a law clerk in the Florida Supreme Court from 1934-35, then practiced law and served as a municipal judge in Gainesville (from 1940-42). After the United States entered World War II he joined the Army and became a Major in the JAG Corps. Returning to Gainesville after the war, he again served as a municipal judge (from 1946-49) then resumed his law practice.

Arnow moved to Pensacola in 1966. When a new judicial seat was created by 80 Stat. 75, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated him to the bench on November 29, 1967. He was confirmed by the Senate and received his commission on December 7.[1] Arnow was the first federal judge to live in the city since the death of Judge William B. Sheppard in 1934.

Judge Arnow made a number of landmark civil rights decisions that affected the area. In 1969, he ordered the desegregation of the Escambia County School District. He issued the 1973 injunction against Escambia High School's use of the nickname "Rebels" and Confederate battle flag for their sports teams. In 1978 he ruled in favor of black groups to established single-member districts, which resulted in the election of African-Americans to the Pensacola City Council, Escambia County Commission and Escambia County School Board. In 1981 he sealed a settlement in a discrimination case, requiring the Air Force to establish a $2 million fund and Eglin Air Force Base to hire 100 black workers for its civilian labor force and promote others already on the payroll. Judge Lacey Collier said of these decisions, "Judge Arnow was a man who was clearly ahead of his time, and, of course, damned and vilified for it. But history has proved he was right, not just legally but also morally."[2]

Arnow also presided over the case of the Gainesville Eight, a group of Vietnam War veterans and protestors who were charged with planning an assault on the 1972 Republican National Convention. All eight defendants were ultimately acquitted by a jury. In 1985 he issued a gag order silencing the four defendants in the high-profile Christmas abortion bombings case.

Judge Arnow with Lacey Collier and Roger Vinson

Congressman Jeff Miller later recalled of Arnow:

He was a friendly, soft-spoken country lawyer. Friends and colleagues regarded Judge Arnow as a southern gentleman in the traditional sense; very formal in court, yet very warm and friendly in everyday life. An avid sportsman, he was a good shooter and could frequently be found in his mint-condition green Jeep on his way to a dove hunt. … A political conservative and a strict constructionist, Judge Arnow believed firmly in the United States Constitution and followed the statutes and higher Federal Court decisions to the letter, even if he may have personally disagreed.[3]

Arnow was chief judge when he reached senior status in 1981. He continued to take jury cases until 1990 and retained chambers in the courthouse for other matters until 1993. After months of declining health, he passed away at age 83 on November 28, 1994. In 2003, the old Spanish mission-style courthouse on Palafox Street was designated the Winston E. Arnow Federal Building by Congress in his honor. The building was dedicated on May 20, 2011.

Images[edit]

References[edit]

  1. http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=63
  2. "Judge Winston Arnow, 83, whose civil rights rulings changed state." St. Petersburg Times, December 1, 1994.
  3. H.R. 1572, the Winston E. Arnow Federal Building Designation Act