FORMER ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE
CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION BURKE MARSHALL REMEMBERED FOR
HIS DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO CIVIL RIGHTS

WASHINGTON, DC - Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Ralph F. Boyd, Jr. today noted with sadness the death of Burke Marshall, former Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division, and remembered his dedication and service to civil rights.

"Burke Marshall's life is an example of endurance in the cause of justice," stated Ralph F. Boyd, Jr. "At the time of his nomination, Burke Marshall was not a well-known civil rights leader. Yet, he was a man of great moral character, who was dedicated to justice and the rule of law. That dedication was reflected by the extraordinary accomplishments of the Civil Rights Division and the Department of Justice during his tenure. In remembering his passing, I am reminded of the words of the prophet Daniel, 'Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some shall live forever, others shall be an everlasting horror and disgrace. But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.'"

Mr. Marshall served as the Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division from 1961 to 1964 during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. While serving in that position, Mr. Marshall played an important role in many of the Administrations' policies on civil rights, including helping to desegregate the University of Mississippi, as well as draft and secure passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Mr. Marshall died yesterday, at the age of 80, at his home in Newton, Connecticut.

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