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Pennsylvania State Senate
06/16/2024 01:34 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?SPick=20230&chamber=S&cosponId=41860
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: December 12, 2023 03:11 PM
From: Senator Sharif Street
To: All Senate members
Subject: Renaming the Pennsylvania Judicial Center as the "Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix, Jr. Judicial Center"
 
In the near future, I will introduce a bill that seeks to commemorate the life and contributions of a man who broke barriers and championed justice and equality by renaming the Pennsylvania Judicial Center as the "Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix, Jr. Judicial Center."

Chief Justice Nix's journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he graduated as Valedictorian from Villanova University and then from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. Then, in 1956 he successfully passed the Pennsylvania Bar at a time when African Americans faced significant challenges in the legal profession. He then went on to become one of the first African Americans to serve as a Deputy Attorney General in Pennsylvania.

Chief Justice Nix went on to make significant strides in a legal landscape that was largely unaccommodating to people of color. He co-founded Nix, Rhodes & Nix, one of the few African American law firms of its era, demonstrating his commitment to providing legal representation and fighting against racial inequities. Notably, in the early 1960s, he led a victorious civil rights case for United Neighbors in West Philadelphia, highlighting his commitment to community advocacy.

His career on the bench was equally groundbreaking. Elected to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in 1967, he later became the first African American Associate Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and subsequently the first African American Chief Justice in the nation. His tenure was marked by a dedication to fairness and a passion for civil rights.

Renaming the Pennsylvania Judicial Center in his honor not only pays tribute to his extraordinary legacy but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for future generations. It reminds us of the progress we have made in our justice system and the work that continues to ensure equality and fairness for all Pennsylvanians.

I urge you to join me in co-sponsoring this legislation and ensuring that the legacy of Chief Justice Robert N. C. Nix, Jr. is appropriately honored and remembered. Please contact Dustin Morris at dustin.morris@pasenate.com if you have any questions.