UA Celebrates Constitution Day with Visit from Federal Judge

Editor’s note: Judge Hughes can be available for brief media interviews immediately following his 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16 talk to students in the Ferguson Center Theater. To arrange an interview time, contact Kelli Wright at 205/348-8539.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In honor of Constitution Day, The University of Alabama will host Judge Lynn N. Hughes, a UA alumnus and United States district judge, Friday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Theater.

His talk, “Our Unfinished Revolution,” is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences’ department of political science. Hughes will answer questions after his remarks.

Hughes was appointed to the federal bench in Houston by President Ronald Reagan in 1985. Before that, he served as a trial judge in Texas for six years. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and director of the World Affairs Council of Houston. Hughes has advised the European Union and several European countries on constitutional law and privatization.

In addition to serving as a judge, Hughes taught for 30 years at the South Texas College of Law.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in anthropology from The University of Alabama and his law degrees from the University of Virginia and the University of Texas.

Dr. Joseph Smith, associate professor of political science, said the visit is an opportunity to learn about our Constitution from a judge who knows constitutions from applying them, teaching about them and consulting about drafting them.

“Judge Hughes has advised countries around the world on their constitutions and legal systems,” Smith said.  “This is a great opportunity for our campus community to hear from someone who has thought deeply about constitutional issues and whose job requires him regularly to apply the words of our Constitution.”

Constitution Day commemorates the signing of our Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787. The day recognizes the accomplishment of the men who wrote the document and reminds Americans to reflect about their liberty.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Its students have won national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.