Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is truly special to receive a recognition such as this surrounded by my family, friends and colleagues of the Legal Community. I offer each and everyone one of you, my deepest gratitude for your support of this dinner, for your support of the American Jewish Committee, and for your presence here this evening. I thank the Leadership of the American Jewish Committee for bestowing on me the Judge Learned Hand Award. I never cease to be amazed at the infinite patience and generosity of my friends, partners and colleagues who encourage and back my endorsement of worthy causes like this. I can never repay your kindnesses and consideration except with my loyalty and affection.

Let me acknowledge and thank all those Dinner Co-Chairs listed on the program. In addition, I would be remiss if I did not offer a particular word of thanks to Maureen Miller, Michael Ecker, Tobey Oxholm and Marc Feller who, together with the Chairpersons, made things happen.

To receive an award which bears the prestigious name of The American Jewish Committee and the revered name of Judge Learned Hand is, indeed, an exquisite honor to be mightily cherished. Both this great organization and the renowned jurist epitomize the ideals all of us share and which we all strive to work and live by.

As it celebrates its 100th anniversary, The American Jewish Committee stands out as a recognized global advocate for human rights and for the rights of the oppressed. Respected, trusted, effective and non-governmental, the American Jewish Committee is considered the leading defender of minorities throughout the world. Just think, by accident of birth or random choice or where our forbearers may have chosen to settle, each of us is in some way a minority – whose views or status may not be shared by the majority. If we ever permit or justify any minority to be persecuted or be the victim of insidious prejudice, the thin fabric of civilized society will tear, and all other minorities may, at some point, be in severe danger, and many who never thought of themselves as a minority will suddenly discover that that is what they are.

The mission of the American Jewish Committee to safeguard the Jewish people and their historic homeland from attack is consonant with protecting the rights of all minorities, whoever and wherever they may be. History teaches us that prejudice, bigotry and persecution are founded on the mistaken fanatical and arrogant belief that the persecutor is absolutely right in his world view. This doctrine of absolutism, like a deadly germ, imbeds itself in race, religion, politics and every societal institution and condition, and is the greatest danger our nation and world confront at the beginning of this century.

Absolutism in all of its horror challenged the world in the century past. It is again loosened on our world. The American Jewish Committee is on the front lines of this battle and it deserves our encouragement and help.

In the face of this danger, how fitting that we recall the mind and spirit of Judge Learned Hand and turn for guidance and comfort to his ethos. His luminous career stands as a beacon against absolutism. Eloquent and elegant of writing style, with an unequaled craftsmanship premised on his enormous classical scholarship, possessed of brilliant analytical skills, and with a humble and sincere yearning to reach the correct and just result through proper reasoning, Learned Hand stands alongside the great Holmes and Cardozo as America’s best. Interestingly, in virtually everything I have read on the life and career of the Judge, it was his fear of absolutes and the concept of Absolutism that set him apart. In the 1961 Yale Law Review, Judge Hand is quoted as describing the spirit of liberty as “… the spirit which is not too sure that it is right”. Through published accounts by his clerks and judicial colleagues we learn that he embraced doubt as to the validity of any legal conclusion and that he was skeptical of absolute truths and ultimate solutions. From sincere doubt comes acceptance of other points of view and Learned Hand stands as the great proponent of the philosophy of tolerance. Such a humble philosophy from such a giant of the law! We would all do well to follow his example.

Allow me to conclude with this thought. Every particle of our global society is under intense pressure. We, who truly believe in democracy and freedom, and respect for the dignity of all humankind, must reject absolutism and embrace the philosophy of tolerance and accept responsibility for the consequences of our actions. We must act diligently and courageously in defending freedom and the rights of minorities. But, we can never allow ourselves to believe that the end justifies the means. In our lifetime we have seen Totalitarian Absolutist regimes bring death and destruction to millions, justifying any and all means to achieve their ends. That is the way of the extremists and fanatics which we abhor. It is not our way.

And so, on this occasion as I accept the award tonight, I would ask you to join me in a rededication to advance the principles of the American Jewish Committee and of Judge Learned Hand.

Thank you.