Harvey E. Schlesinger..Class of ...1958

Honorable Harvey E. Schlesinger
United States District Court
Jacksonville, Florida
Class of 1958

It was back in the mid 60's on NBC television when entertainer Sammy Davis Junior coined a new comedy line that struck with viewers. Davis pranced out in front of the cameras wearing judicial robes and a white wig of the style worn by British Judges and as he danced his way across the stage he chanted the following words: "Here come de Judge ! Here Come De Judge !" It was a funny line but it left us asking the critical questions: "What Judge and where is he coming from?" It didn't take long but we finally figured it out.

He was coming from the area around Bedford Avenue and Quentin Rd. in Brooklyn where James Madison High School is located. We are talking about Harvey E. Schlesinger. He was born in 1940 and for a while, it looked as though his career was going to be in the U.S. Army. Undergraduate school was the prestigeous The Citadel, the military college in Charleston South Carolina where he was considered a distinguished military student. Graduation came in 1962 but before heading off to active duty with the Army, it was off to law school at the University of Richmond School of Law in Virginia from 1962 until 1965. There he was President of the Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity and a member of the National Moot Court team in 1964. He was also the recipient of several other University of Richmond School of Law honors.

Now, one might think it was now time to begin the practice of law but first, there was a military committment to complete. This meant putting on his Army uniform and beginning courses at the U.S. Army Logistics Management Center at Fort Lee Virginia. As might be expected, he graduated with honors. From there, it was off to the Judge Advocate General's School (JAG) in Charlottesville, Va. But, we are not finished. From 1975 to the present time, Harvey has attended seminars ranging from three days to one week dealing with the procedures and laws used in U.S. District Courts. What does that lead to? Well, in part it leads to his being qualified to practice in front of some of the most important courts in the land. They include, in this order:
Supreme Court of Appeals, State of Virginia.
Supreme Court, State of Florida.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia.
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth District.
U.S. Court of Military Appeals
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Fla.
Tax Court of the United States.
United States Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh District.

Now, those were the court in which he was deemed qualified to practice. Now, come the major leagues of "lawdom" (to coin a phrase).
From 1965 until 1968, Harvey was a Captain in the US Army, attached to the Office of the Army Staff Judge Advocate Headquarters, Third United States Army, Fort McPherson, Georgia.
1968 to 1970: Corporate Counsel, Seaboard Coastline Railroad, Jacksonville, Fla.
1970 to 1975 Chief Assistant United States Attorney, United States Department of Justice, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville, Fla.
1975 to 1991: United States Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Fla.
1991 to the PRESENT: United States District Judge, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. Appointed by President George Herbert Walker Bush.

Now, that is about as impressive as it gets but would'nt you know it, it gets even more impressive. Not only does Judge Schlesinger preside over one of the most important courts in the land, he teaches law at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and at the Federal Judicial Center in Washington DC. Also, between 1975 and 1980 he could also be found teaching at the Attorney General's Advocacy Institute in Washington and for a brief time at the John Marshall School of Law in Atlanta.

During his years practicing law and while seated on the bench, Harvey has been appointed to many committees and task forces by US Supreme Court Chief Justices Warren Burger and William Rehnquist. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, The Florida Bar Association, The Virginia Bar Association, the Montana Bar Association and probably every judicial committee extant in the world today.

I would also delve into the number of awards and honors he has received including "Boss Of The Year" by the Jacksonville Legal Secretaries association. The Boys Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award, The Army Commendation Medal and the George Washington Medal of Honor for Patriotism. He is listed in Who's Who In America, Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In The United States, and if there was such a book, I would expect him to be listed in Who's Who in the Whole Wide World.

James Madison High School, in Brooklyn N.Y. has produced an amazing procession of Outstanding Americans in a very wide array of fields of endeavor. Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger ranks at the top of that list as he brings not only glory to our school but also pride, honor, and distinction. And he brings those same
attributes to America and causes us to stand out among nations.

Harvey you are awesome...well done and thanks..