ORDINANCE NO. BL2011-56

An ordinance naming the General Sessions Court Judicial Library in honor of Judge Leon Ruben.

WHEREAS, the Honorable Leon Ruben passed away on October 7, 2011 after serving 30 years as a General Sessions Court judge; and

WHEREAS, prior to becoming a judge, Judge Ruben worked as an Assistant Public Defender for 8 years and was elected as a Metro Councilman representing the 35th district from September 1975 to January 1981 before being appointed by the Council to the General Sessions Court; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben served as presiding Judge for the General Sessions Courts from 1984 to 1988, 1990 to 1991, 1996 to 1997 and 2000-2001; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben served as a member of numerous community and professional organizations including the Nashville Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference, Lawyer’s Association for Women, American Judges Association, American Bar Association, Tennessee Court of the Judiciary, Davidson County Criminal Justice Steering Committee, Bellevue Exchange Club, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, and West End Synagogue; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben was best known in the community for his willingness to serve every year as a judge in night court on Christmas Day; and

WHEREAS, one of Judge Ruben’s favorite places to study and reflect was the General Sessions Court Judicial Library; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that Judge Leon Ruben be honored for his outstanding service to the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County by naming the General Sessions Court Judicial Library in his honor.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the General Sessions Court Judicial Library located on the fourth floor of the Justice A.A. Birch Building is hereby named the "Judge Leon Ruben Judicial Library".

Section 2. This Ordinance shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Charlie Tygard, Sheri Weiner, Duane Dominy