During its Summer Commencement on Friday, August 5, 2011, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University will bestow and Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters upon one of Florida’s and the nation’s most noted Civil Rights attorneys.

Attorney Warren Hope Dawson is a native of Mulberry and a product of Polk County Schools. He is only the second Black graduate of a high school, public or private, to become a lawyer. He received a BA Degree in Political Science from Florida A&M University in 1961; was a commissioned officer in the United States Army and served active duty from 1961-1963. He received a Juris Doctor Degree from Howard University in 1966.

His civil rights work in the federal courts included 27 years as the lead counsel in Manning v. The School Board, a school desegregation case that involved the Hillsborough County School District. He also intervened as counsel in Warren v. The City of Tampa, a voting rights case that ultimately eliminated the racially repressive at-large system of electing the City Council in Tampa and the County Commission in Hillsborough County.[private]

Atty. Dawson had this to say about the recognition: “The joy and good feelings I felt when I learned of the University’s decision are best described by the lyrics in a current gospel song, which says: I’ve had some good days; I’ve had some hills to climb; I’ve had some weary days and some sleepless nights.  But when I look around and think things over, all of my good days outweigh my bad days, and I just say Thank You Lord – I won’t complain.”

Atty. Dawson has always shown himself as a leader. While a student at FAMU, he was a student leader, Army ROTC Distinguished Military Student; the Voice of “The Marching 100,” lead speaker on the FAMU Varsity Debating Team and a member of the University Choir.

His civil rights work in the federal courts included 27 years as the lead counsel in Manning v. The School Board, a school desegregation case that involved the Hillsborough County School District. He also intervened as counsel in Warren v. The City of Tampa, a voting rights case that ultimately eliminated the racially repressive at-large system of electing the City Council in Tampa and the County Commission in Hillsborough County.

As an organized leader, Atty. Dawson served as the 40th President of the National Bar Association, National President of the Howard University Law Alumni Association, and one of the founders of the Edgecomb Bar Association.

His many recognitions and awards include: “The 100 Most Influential Blacks in America,” Ebony Magazine, May 1983; induction into the National Bar Association Hall of Fame, August 2007; and recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award,” FAMU, April 1992. [/private]

***Look for full story in Friday’s Sentinel***