Have you ever met a true renaissance man? If not, that will change when you meet Chief Judge Robert H. Henry. His interests are diverse, ranging from cooking and gardening to history and art. An avid author, Judge Henry’s writings have been featured in numerous books, law reviews, magazines, and newspapers. He has received Oklahoma Nature Conservancy’s Conservationist of the Year, the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission Award, the National Conference of Christians and Jews Humanitarian of the Year. In November 2008, United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor presented him for induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

     Judge Henry grew up in Shawnee, and received his B.A. and his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma. Shortly after his law school graduation, he commenced a decade long career in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He chaired the Judiciary and Education Committees, while also practicing law in Shawnee.

     In 1986, Henry was elected Attorney General of Oklahoma. He was so successful that, in 1990, he became the first candidate in Oklahoma history to run for that office unopposed.

     Academia called in 1991. Henry became Dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law. He immediately embarked on a successful fundraising campaign culminating in the construction of a new building to house the law school.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton nominated Henry to the bench. He was easily confirmed with bipartisan support and praise. He currently serves as Chief Judge of United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, the federal appellate court that covers Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

     Judge Henry has traveled worldwide promoting the rule of law. In 2005, Chief Justice William Rehnquist named Judge Henry Chair of the International Judicial Relations Committee. Justice O’Connor selected him to serve on the Advisory Board for the Judicial Outreach Program of the American Society of International Law. He sits on the Board of the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative and is Chair of the ABA’s Middle East/North Africa Law Council. He has been honored by the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs and by the Russian Council of Judges.

     Recently, Judge Henry submitted his resignation from his lifetime appointment to the bench. On July 1, he will become President of Oklahoma City University.

     Please give a warm Edmond Rotary welcome to my great and dear friend, Chief Judge Robert Henry.

Andy