Agenda - 10-20-20; 4-a - Resolution of Recognition for Judicial District 15-B Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Carl R. Fox Upon His Retirement

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RES‐2020‐063 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION OF RECOGNITION FOR JUDICIAL DISTRICT 15‐B SENIOR RESIDENT SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE CARL R. FOX UPON HIS RETIREMENT WHEREAS, Judge Carl R. Fox has served as the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge in Orange and Chatham counties since his appointment in 2005, and following multiple elections since, has served in this role for fifteen years; and WHEREAS, Judge Fox previously served as the District Attorney for Orange and Chatham counties since being sworn in 1984. He was elected in 1986 and then re‐elected in 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002; and WHEREAS, Judge Fox was the first African‐American District Attorney and first African‐American judge in Judicial District 15‐B; and WHEREAS, Judge Fox has served with distinction and honor and has received state and national recognition for his jurisprudence and integrity, including “Citizen of the Year” from the Chapel Hill‐Carrboro Chamber of Commerce in 1989, the “Courage Award” in 2016 from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day University Committee and the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Roy Cooper in 2020; and WHEREAS, Judge Fox has provided countless hours to our community through visits to schools, mentoring lawyers and serving on numerous boards including the Governor’s Crime Commission, the SECU House Steering Committee, the Ronald McDonald House, the NC Courts Commission and the Criminal Justice Partnership Program; and WHEREAS, when Judge Fox was diagnosed with a rare and deadly form of bone marrow cancer, he bravely fought and conquered the disease while raising awareness of the critical need for bone marrow and cord blood donors through his Save the Fox campaign, which continues to register thousands of donors; and WHEREAS, Judge Fox has sought to address issues of racism and inequality in 15B and beyond by raising awareness and ensuring the removal of symbols with racist legacies in our court rooms; and WHEREAS, Judge Fox has been a beloved member of the local Judicial Bar and the community for many years and his compassion, humor and example have touched the lives of so many individuals that have appeared before him and that have had the opportunity to know or work for him. He has never met a stranger and he will be missed deeply; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners expresses its congratulations upon Judge Fox’s retirement and extends its deepest appreciation, gratitude and respect for his leadership, courage and service throughout the court system for the residents of Orange County. This the 20th day of October 2020. ________________________________ Penny Rich, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners 2