A tribute to George Bundy Smith, highlighting his commitment to social justice

Fisher, Fern

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A Tribute to Hon. George Bundy Smith -- Leadership

Fordham University School of Law

Fordham Urban Law JournalVolume 34 | Number 3 Article 142007A Tribute to Hon. George Bundy Smith --LeadershipFern FisherCivil Court of the City of New YorkFollow this and additional works at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/uljPart of the Judges CommonsThis Article is brought to you for free and open access by FLASH: The Fordham Law Archive of Scholarship and History. It has been accepted forinclusion in Fordham Urban Law Journal by an authorized editor of FLASH: The Fordham Law Archive of Scholarship and History. For moreinformation, please contact tmelnick@law.fordham.edu.Recommended CitationFern Fisher, A Tribute to Hon. George Bundy Smith -- Leadership, 34 Fordham Urb. L.J. 1170 (2007).Available at: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/ulj/vol34/iss3/14A Tribute to Hon. George Bundy Smith -- LeadershipCover Page FootnoteMs. Fisher is an Administrative Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New YorkThis article is available in Fordham Urban Law Journal: https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/ulj/vol34/iss3/14\\server05\productn\F\FUJ\34-3\FUJ314.txt unknown Seq: 1 25-SEP-07 16:33A TRIBUTE TOHON. GEORGE BUNDY SMITHLEADERSHIPFern Fisher*I want to thank Fordham, the Metropolitan Black Bar Associa-tion, and Judicial Friends for pulling this event together, and I wantto thank Fordham particularly for letting me say just a few words.It has been a long evening.  I think everybody has said it all, but Ido have a few additional things to say.As I have matured, I learned that leadership is demonstrated inso many different ways and by so many different styles.  Some leadby eloquent words, some lead by rolling up their sleeves, some leadby mentoring, and some lead by taking risks.While writing the script for the video that you saw tonight, Icame to understand that George Bundy Smith is all of the above.He is a consummate leader.  I had always known that George was ascholar and brilliant; but by sifting through articles, talking to hisschools, friends, and family, and looking through photos—espe-cially the photo of the one black face at Andover Academy in a seaof white prep school boys; the picture of the jaunty kid with hishand on the ship, going off to Paris; and particularly his mug shotthat he was proud to exhibit—I came to fully understand what atrue leader George Bundy Smith is.I also came to learn what true commitment to social justice is.After sitting there at night writing the script for the video, George,you really, really inspired me to keep working the hours that I con-tinue to work, because it is clear that is what it takes to be trulycommitted.What I can add to these tributes is how special Judge GeorgeBundy Smith is to African American judges in the State of NewYork, and there are quite a few of us here tonight in tribute to him.He truly is the wind beneath our wings.  There is no doubt aboutthat which is demonstrated by George pulling you to the side andtelling you to put in your application for the Appellate Division orfor the Court of Appeals.  It is George’s constant encouragement,* Ms. Fisher is an Administrative Judge of the Civil Court of the City of NewYork.1170\\server05\productn\F\FUJ\34-3\FUJ314.txt unknown Seq: 2 25-SEP-07 16:332007] A TRIBUTE TO HON. GEORGE BUNDY SMITH 1171it is George’s setting the standard that we have to work hard, thatwe must show judicial excellence, that we have to stay involved.George and I were on the City Bar Fund together.  I hate 8:00A.M. meetings.  I am not a morning person.  I am more of a nightowl, but when George Bundy Smith walks in the door at 8:00 in themorning for a charitable foundation meeting, what else can you dobut be there as well.George teaches us to stay human, to have a successful 35-yearmarriage, to have children, and to do it all.  We all have our storiesto tell about George.  The raging debate at the Judicial Friends din-ner was whether or not the judges should have music at the dinner.For years we just had a ceremony where we gave out awards andeverybody went home.  It was George’s vote that decided thatthere would be music, that it’s all right for black judges to dance.Indeed, George Bundy Smith and Alene Smith are the first out todo the electric slide every year and Judge Smith can do the electricslide.  George has taught us that we have to remain human andretain what makes us unique as African American judges.Finally, George has taught us that we have to stay kind and hum-ble.  Last year, when we were collecting clips for the video and Icame back to the office, my staff said that a man brought a packageby for me.  Later on, I learned it was Judge Bundy Smith.  Georgedoes everything himself.  He delivers checks himself and he deliv-ers photos himself, because he’s humble.I met Judge Bundy Smith when the board of directors of theMetropolitan Black Bar Association was formed over twenty yearsago.  He has never changed, which is comforting.  When you knowthat there are steady forces in life, such as George Bundy Smith,there is hope that we will achieve social justice in this country.Forces like George Bundy Smith set the standard for the rest of usto continue the work that still needs to be done.We love you George.\\server05\productn\F\FUJ\34-3\FUJ314.txt unknown Seq: 3 25-SEP-07 16:33

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A Tribute to Hon. George Bundy Smith -- Leadership

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