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Presidential Citizens Medal Recipient Jack Greenberg
Law Professor Jack Greenberg Awarded Presidential Citizens Medal
Columbia Law Professor Jack Greenberg was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Bill Clinton Jan. 7 for his more than 50 years as a fierce and tireless defender of civil and human rights. The Citizens Medal is awarded to individuals who have performed "exemplary deeds of service" for the nation.
In announcing the awards, the White House described Greenberg as a man who "in the courtroom and the classroom...[has] been a crusader for freedom and equality for more than half a century. Arguing 40 civil rights cases before the United States Supreme Court, including the historic Brown v. Board of Education, he helped break down the legal underpinnings of desegregation in America, and as a professor of law, an advocate for international human rights and head of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, he has helped shape a more just society."
As director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (NAACP LDEF) from 1961to 1984, Greenberg (CC '45, Law '48) argued the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case which declared "separate but equal" unconstitutional, as well as dozens of other employment discrimination, capital punishment, housing and voting rights cases. Under his leadership, the NAACP LDEF became the most active civil rights law office in the country. In 1968, Greenberg founded the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund.
After joining the Columbia Law School faculty in 1984, Greenberg established Columbia Law School's Summer Human Rights Internship Program, which continues to send 60 students around the world each year to perform human rights work; founded Asia Watch, and drafted New York City's Local Law 63, hallmark legislation that denies tax exemptions to clubs that discriminate on the basis of gender or race. After the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality, major cities (including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.) adopted the ordinance. He also served as dean of Columbia College from 1989 to 1993.
Greenberg has consulted in South Africa on the creation of the Legal Resources Centre (the country's leading civil rights legal organization) and participated in human rights missions to the Soviet Union, Korea, Nepal, the Philippines, Guyana and Poland. He has served on the boards of Human Rights Watch, the Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the executive committee of the NAACP LDEF.
Among Greenberg's many publications are Crusaders in the Courts: How a Dedicated Band of Lawyers Fought for the Civil Rights Revolution (Basic Books, 1994), a history of the NAACP LDEF (the book received the ABA's Silver Gavel Award); Cases and Materials on Judicial Process and Social Change (West Publishing Co., 1976); Race Relations and American Law (Columbia University Press, 1959), and Dean Cuisine: The Liberated Man's Guide to Fine Cooking (with James Vorenberg) (Sheep Meadow Press, 1991).
Three additional Columbia Law School alumni/ae also received the Presidential Citizens Medal. The late Charles F.C. Ruff (Law '63), who died late last year, was described by the White House as "a distinguished lawyer and exceptional public servant [who] dedicated his career to advancing the cause of justice. Whether serving as Watergate special prosecutor, acting deputy attorney general, United States attorney, corporation counsel for the District of Columbia or counsel to the president, he fulfilled his demanding responsibilities with singular judgment, integrity and devotion to the rule of law. Wise and compassionate, he used his extraordinary skills to strengthen our nation's legal system and revitalize our nation's capital."
Constance Baker Motley(Law '46) was also one of the 28 award recipients named by the White House. A senior judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Motley was described as "a key legal strategist of the civil rights movement [who has] waged the battle for equality in the courtroom and, with quiet courage and remarkable skill, won landmark victories that dismantled segregation in America. As a dedicated public servant and distinguished judge, she has broken down political, social, and professional barriers, and her pursuit of equal justice under law has widened the circle of opportunity in America."
John F. Seiberling(Law '49), former U.S. Representative from Ohio, also received the Medal. He was described by the White House as an "ardent advocate for the environment [who] has demonstrated a profound commitment to America's natural treasures. Championing numerous bills during his 17 years in Congress, including the Alaska Lands Act, John Seiberling safeguarded millions of acres of parks, forests, wildlife refuges and wilderness areas. Working in a spirit of bipartisanship, he also promoted civil rights and worker rights, always striving to improve the quality of life in America."
Established by President Richard Nixon on Nov. 13, 1969, the Presidential Citizens Medal is awarded to individuals for their service and accomplishments in areas including civil rights, medicine and health, human rights, religion, education, disability advocacy, government service and the environment.
By Jennifer Shotz
CITATION:
In the courtroom and the classroom, Jack Greenberg has been a crusader for freedom and equality for more than half a century. Arguing 40 civil rights cases before the United States Supreme Court, including the historic Brown v. Board of Education, he helped break down the legal underpinnings of desegregation in America, and as a professor of law, an advocate for international human rights, and head of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, he has helped shape a more just society.
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Citizens Medal History
