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Black History: Commitment To Justice Defines Life Of Damon Keith

DETROIT (WWJ) - A lifetime of achievements and service to the civil rights movement define the life of Judge Damon Keith.

"We want all of these people who come here, white and black, female and male, Jew and Gentile to just break bread together and thank God that we are all here," said Keith.

Black History

At age 92, Keith says the highlight of his career would be "the 'Keith Decision' where I stopped Nixon and Mitchell from wire-tapping without prior judicial approval. That was important. The Supreme Court unanimously agreed with me and called it the 'Keith Decision,' to say it's a constitutional landmark that's taught in law schools all over the country and all over the world. So that makes me very happy."

Keith was also the National Chairman of the Bill of Rights; Bi-Centennial committee. The plaques, which bear only his name, hang on the walls of the Federal Courthouse, FBI Headquarters and the Thurgood Marshall Federal Building.

Kudos coming for Keith from Edsel Ford while attending the recent Black History Month luncheon, "He's my hero, he's the most remarkable man I know."

 

WWJ Newsradio 950 celebrates Black History Month by recognizing our local young African American professionals and their heroes – you can hear these reports throughout the day: 6:20 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 3:40 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.

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