Justices of the Supreme Court of Georgia will participate tomorrow in a rousing car parade to mark the recent retirement of Justice Robert Benham from the state’s highest court.
The parade will commence at SynCot Plastics on 707 South Erwin Street in Cartersville at 1:00. The Bartow County Sheriff’s Department and Georgia State Patrol will escort the Court procession 1.5 miles to Justice Benham’s home. The Chief Justice will present Justice Benham with his ceremonial judicial robe in keeping with court tradition.
In 1989, Justice Benham became the first African-American appointed to the high court in its history. He went on to become the court’s first black Chief Justice. In February, the Georgia Senate adopted a resolution commending Justice Benham as a “champion of justice” and praising him for his “deep personal commitment to the citizens of Georgia.”
To maintain social distance, the Justices will ride in their cars. In honor of Justice Benham, they will all wear fedoras, Justice Benham’s trademark hat.