07 LC 37
0512
House
Resolution 811
By:
Representatives Mangham of the
94th,
Brooks of the
63rd,
Stephenson of the
92nd,
Sinkfield of the
60th,
Holmes of the
61st,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Expressing
regret at the passing of Linwood R. Slayton, Jr.; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the State of Georgia recently lost one of its finest and most distinguished
citizens with the passing of Linwood R. Slayton, Jr.; and
WHEREAS,
Linwood was born on September 18, 1947, in Richmond, Virginia, the only child of
Linwood and Marie Slayton; and
WHEREAS,
Linwood grew up in Philadelphia and later graduated from Howard University in
Washington, D.C., where he pledged Omega Psi Phi fraternity; and
WHEREAS,
he earned a master's degree in urban studies from Howard University and a juris
doctorate from Woodrow Wilson Law School in Atlanta; and
WHEREAS,
early in Linwood's career he was part of the War on Poverty program, the Urban
League, and was director of Planning and Evaluation for Economic Opportunity
Atlanta; and
WHEREAS,
in 1978 he was selected to be the first director of the Justice Center of
Atlanta, where he was one of the first to advocate for alternative dispute
resolution as a method of resolving disputes without formal court intervention;
and
WHEREAS,
Linwood later practiced law as a partner with Thomas, Kennedy, Sampson, Edwards,
and Slayton, one of the largest African American law firms in the South, and
also practiced with the firm of Mays and Slayton; and
WHEREAS,
Mr. Slayton practiced domestic relations law, which was his passion, arguing
cases before the United States Supreme Court; and
WHEREAS,
he greatly enjoyed his affiliations with the Gate City Bar Association where he
served as president, and the National Bar Association where he served as vice
president and also served as the 2007 National Bar Association organizing
committee honorary chairman; and
WHEREAS,
Linwood was a voracious reader and owned a pristine library of more than 3,000
volumes of fiction; he also collected over 1,500 record albums, and one of his
greatest pleasures was comparing his collections to those of his friends and
recommending books and albums to them; and
WHEREAS,
he wrote an online weekly newsletter called
The
Woodshed, providing commentary and
conversation on issues of interest to him, and the column
Wood on Wine
wherein he would provide helpful tips on
how to find and enjoy good wines; and
WHEREAS,
he also found time for other things he loved, including tennis, gambling,
travel, golf, basketball, and racquetball, in which he won a state trophy;
and
WHEREAS,
among many attributes and talents he is noted for his love of fun and a good
party, and often brought eclectic people together to provide them good food,
good wine, and great conversation; and
WHEREAS,
Linwood's survivors include his wife Libbee Slayton; his son, Brian Omari
Slayton of Atlanta; and his mother, Marie Dawson Slayton of Philadelphia;
and
WHEREAS,
this beloved individual exhibited extraordinary devotion to duty, outstanding
loyalty, fine leadership, and meticulous attention to detail in all his duties
throughout his law career; and
WHEREAS,
the passing of this generous, kind, and devoted family man leaves an unfillable
void in the hearts and lives of his family and friends.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body express their deepest and most sincere regret at the passing of
Linwood R. Slayton, Jr.; commend the care, courage, sympathy, and selfless
dedication he exhibited in his life's work; and extend to his family their
utmost appreciation for his so purely and truly defining for others the meaning
of graciousness.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the family of
Linwood R. Slayton, Jr.