HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-20-20; 4-a - Resolution of Recognition for Judicial District 15-B Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Carl R. Fox Upon His Retirement
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 20, 2020
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Resolution of Recognition for Judicial District 15-B Senior Resident Superior
Court Judge Carl R. Fox Upon His Retirement
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners,
Criminal Justice Resource
ATTACHMENT(S):
Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Hunt, 919-245-2126
Cait Fenhagen, 919-245-2303
PURPOSE: To approve a resolution recognizing Judicial District 15-B Senior Resident Superior
Court Judge Carl R. Fox upon his retirement.
BACKGROUND: Judge Carl Fox has served as the Senior Resident Superior Judge in 15-B
since 2005, when he was first sworn in. He has served with distinction in that role for over fifteen
years.
Judge Fox previously served as the District Attorney for Orange and Chatham counties. He was
appointed in 1984, elected in 1986, then re-elected four more times before his eventual
appointment as a Superior Court Judge.
Judge Fox has served the residents of Orange and Chatham County honorably and tirelessly for
over 30 years. He made the decision to retire at the end of September 2020, and he leaves a
legacy of judicial integrity, courage in the face of extreme hardship and a career dedicated to
ensuring equity and fairness for all. Staff requests that the Board formally adopt the attached
resolution recognizing Judge Fox for his service and impact in Orange County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with approving the resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with the resolution.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with the resolution.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the resolution, and express its appreciation to Judge Fox for his distinguished
service.
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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
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