A resolution recognizing and commending Judge Leon Ruben on his 25th anniversary as a General Sessions Judge.

WHEREAS, it is fitting that we recognize an estimable public servant who has dedicated his professional career to ensuring equal justice for all fellow citizens; and

WHEREAS, Judge Leon Ruben will celebrate 25 years sitting on the bench as a General Sessions Judge on January 26, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Judge Leon Ruben one of the senior jurists of the General Sessions Court, being appointed to the bench in 1981 and re-elected in 1982, 1990, and 1998; and

WHEREAS, Judge Leon Ruben is a graduate of Howard High School, he has his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 1956, and his law degree from the YMCA Law School (now known as Nashville School of Law) in 1962; and

WHEREAS, Judge Leon Ruben worked as an Assistant Public Defender for 8 years prior to becoming a judge, he also was elected to represent the 35th district from September 1975 to January 1981 as Metro Councilman and eventually appointed to General Sessions judge Division VIII by the Metro Council to fill vacancy created by the retirement of the late Dennis W. Summers and took office on January 26, 1981; and

WHEREAS, esteemed and admired by his judicial peers and colleagues and the attorneys and citizens appearing before his court, Judge Ruben is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference, Lawyer's Association for Women, American Judges Association, American Bar Association; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben remarkable success as a jurist is attributed to his reliance on the time-honored values of hard work and common sense and his uncommon ability to empathize with people from all walks of life; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben has 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 has served for over fifteen years as Secretary/Treasurer to the Tennessee General Sessions Judges Conference; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben has served on the American Judges Association Board of governors representing District 8 (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky & Tennessee) since 1995; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben was elected to the American Judges Association Court of Appeals for a five-year term expiring in 2006; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben is active in the community where he served as past president of the Tennessee General Sessions Conference (1993-1994), West End Synagogue, Bellevue Exchange Club, Murfreesboro Road Optimist Club, and Bellevue Chamber of Commerce; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben is currently a member of the Nashville Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Tennessee General Sessions Court Judges Conference, Lawyer Association for Women and the American Bar Association; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben is a member of the West End Synagogue, and is married to Sandi (Gordon) Ruben and has four children and ten grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben was still in private practice when he first volunteered to be a special Christmas Day judge in Night Court. That was in 1970. He hasn't missed a Christmas; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben is Nashville's most publicized collector of Mickey Mouse memorabilia. His collection began when he was a member of the Metro Council, and no one seemed to be able to reach a decision on the issue of building a new Criminal Justice Center. Judge Ruben remarked, "Let's quit Mickey Mousing around and get something done." Before the next Council Meeting, someone discreetly placed a small figure of Mickey Mouse on his desk; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben received the Bellevue Citizen of the Year award by the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce in 1981; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben received the Service to Mankind Award in March 1991 from the Bellevue Sertoma Club; and

WHEREAS, Judge Ruben has previously served on the Tennessee Court of the Judiciary for six years; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognize Judge Leon Ruben for his honorable and astute service to the good people of Metropolitan Davidson County and wish him continued success.

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

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing and commending Judge Leon Ruben on his 25th anniversary as a General Sessions Judge.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Judge Leon Ruben.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: David Briley, Buck Dozier, Brenda Gilmore, Charlie Tygard

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	January 3, 2006
Adopted:	January 3, 2006
Approved:	January 9, 2006
By: