U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to deliver keynote at U-M Law School graduation
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has been tapped as this year's University of Michigan Law School commencement speaker.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder
AP Photo
“A broad base of experience and a long career in public service make Attorney General Holder a compelling choice as Senior Day speaker,” Law School Dean Evan Caminker said in a statement “He will offer a unique and important perspective for our graduates as they begin their law careers.”
President Barack Obama appointed Holder to the country's top legal position in 2008. He is the first African American attorney general.
Before his appointment, Holder worked for the U.S. Justice Department prosecuting corruption cases involving public officials, as an associate judge with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, as deputy U.S. attorney general and as a litigation partner in a D.C. firm.
He received his law degree from Columbia University.
Roughly 50 graduates caused a ruckus during last year's Senior Day when they walked out during U.S. Sen. Rob Portman's (R-Ohio) keynote. The students were protesting Portman's policies restricting the rights of homosexuals. This year, Caminker consulted a group of students before asking Holder to speak at U-M.
Senior White House adviser and U-M Law School alumnus Valerie Jarrett gave the spring 2010 Senior Day address.
CNN's Sanjay Gupta is set to deliver U-M's main commencement address on April 28 at Michigan Stadium.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
outdoor6709
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 11:55 p.m.
Maybe he will explain why the black panthers are allowed to offer a bounty, dead or alive , on an American citizen without the justice dept caring.
outdoor6709
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 5:23 p.m.
Northside, Fast & Furious was an attempt to sway public opionion for more gun control. http://www.wnd.com/wnd_video/eric-holders-fear-of-your-gun/ The current adm has blocked the return from Korea of the M1 rifles we left after the Korean war. "What we need to do is change the way in which people think about guns, especially young people, and make it something that's not cool, that it's not acceptable, it's not hip to carry a gun anymore, in the way in which we've changed our attitudes about cigarettes," Holder said. http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/18/holder-in-1995-really-brainwash-people-to-be-anti-gun/
msddjohston
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.
Hello, Yes indeedy I'm bringing the United States Constitution with me. Dear Eric needs to respect the Bill of Rights! If he asks me, I will explain to him what I understand the responsibility of being a Private Citizen means to me. I welcome Eric, and really, the University couldn't have found a more First Class Citizen to have come forward to give a Congratulatory to our young and up and coming leaders. GO BLUE! Your friend, Dawn
Pickforddick
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 1:06 p.m.
This must be a joke, how could they invite someone like this to give them encouragement for the future? If I were graduating I would simply skip this comedy act.
Nicholas
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 11:27 a.m.
It's shameful that the University of Michigan would give a platform to someone who has provided the legal justification for the extrajudicial murder of Americans.
mhirzel
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 3:39 a.m.
Good Grief, UM! Uberly bad choice!!!!!
Rugeirn Drienborough
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 1:32 a.m.
Whoever picked Holder for the keynote at UM Law must be someone who never reads a news story. This man no more understands the rule of law than a cat understands the civil rights of mice.
Skyjockey43
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 10:15 p.m.
A man who swears to uphold the law of the land while refusing to prosecute voter intimidation by black panthers at a polling place during a presidential election. Great choice for a speaker. Kinda like asking Janet Reno to speak at a Branch Davidian bake sale.
Adam Bates
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.
As a law alum, it's shocking to me that after the anti-gay flap with their choice of speaker last year, the law school went out and one-upped themselves by finding someone who believes the executive branch has the authority to murder American citizens without charge or trial so long as they have dark complexions and pray five times a day. Galling.
motorcycleminer
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 8:24 p.m.
What an insult and a joke ...no wonder big blue is screwed up....
Bogie
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.
I hope someone brings a copy of the constitution, so Eric can read it.
Roadman
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 7:22 p.m.
He was a key target in the Congressional investigation of the "Fast and Furious" program. He has been a disappointing leader of the Department of Justice.
Sparty
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 7:28 p.m.
BUT So much better than the disgraced Alberto Gonzalez, don't you agree ?
Zodiac53
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.
I am so glad that Oprah found Stegman a good job (even if he did have to change his name). As the Keynote Speaker, wouldn't it have been better to have someone that would Comment on furthering the path of justice, rather than someone that constantly tries to "bend" or "ignore" laws that are put on the books by the people?
Sparty
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 2:45 a.m.
Do you refer to Stedman, perhaps?
Don B. Arfkahk
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
One who prosecutes medical marijuana and kicks the chair out from under it by squeezing banks and landlords working with dispensaries is entirely appropriate for a town with a long history of tolerance of marijuana.
Mitch
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.
Ugh, I second that "What an embarrasing day for UofM"
Superior Twp voter
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.
How sad. U of M Law School, this is the best you can do? This misguided excuse for an Att'y General for the United States of American is a simple disgrace. Not to mention a total failure. "Law School Dean Evan Caminker said in a statement "He will offer a unique and important perspective for our graduates as they begin their law careers." " Choke and puke at this sickening quote. Yea, he'll teach your grads how to selectively enforce the law, how to even out perceived racial inequities, how to plant weapons into the narco-warrior's hands, how to force Oblamacare onto the vast majority of US citizens who don't want any part of it, etc etc etc. Joe the Plumber would be a better choice! At least he's had a real job (I think!).
Sparty
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 5:19 p.m.
Yes, I think the original GW Bush AG's who started the gun running should have been invited. The originators of Operation Wide Receiver would be much more interesting, don't you think, in terms of fairness?
G. Orwell
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.
Maybe he can also tell us about the "brainwashing" of Americans regarding guns. He is a gun grabber and despises the Constitution and the 2nd Amendment. And he is the higher law enforcer in the country! How is that possible? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-R0P0jB6-U
northside
Thu, Mar 29, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.
What laws has the Obama Administration passed (or even proposed) to restrict guns?
Sparty
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
He is? Wow ... what do you have to back up these scandalous claims? Who is testifying on the NRA's behalf? How is that possible?
Dog Guy
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 3:27 p.m.
May 6? The DOJ should be able to stonewall Congress that long.
snoopdog
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 3:27 p.m.
What an embarrasment and insult for the law school graduates ! Good Day
Sparty
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
I agree - why isn't the Vice President or President coming along with him ?
bruceae
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.
Maybe he can tell us all about his "Fast and Furious" Program.
Sparty
Wed, Mar 28, 2012 : 5:15 p.m.
And invite the GW Bush AG's to talk about the same Operation Wide Receiver Programs ?