by Bob Walsh
Federal Judge Thelton Henderson is hanging it up. Finally. Back in the 60s he was the first black civil rights lawyer hired by the feds. he spent a lot of time in the south keeping an eye on things. He had a federal ID and drove a federal car, which no doubt helped insulate him from some pretty nasty stuff a time or two.
Back then he loaned his government car to an acquaintance who needed to get to Selma and whose car had a flat. Henderson worried that this man would be in serious danger if his car broke down on the way so he made the loan. It got him fired. That man was Martin Luther King.
Henderson ended up on the federal bench, appointed by Jimmy Carter in 1980. He was, or at least became (IMHO) a hard core judicial activist. He essentially took over the California prison system, ordering major changes in operations and a complete takeover of the inmate health care system. This resulted in California state prisoners getting significantly better health care than is available to the general public, at significantly greater expense.
He also blocked enforcement of California Proposition 209, which banned consideration of race or gender in public education, employment or contracting. He was overruled by SCOTUS.
He is bailing out in August, due in large part to a progressive, debilitating medical condition. Bye bye Thelton, I won't miss you one damn bit. Enjoy your retirement.
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