[NFBF-Daytona] FW: Death of Joe Hatchett

[Brian Norton]

Cynthia Slater was one of the helpful staff at the DBS Daytona Rehab Center for the Blind when I attended that school several years ago, and is local president of the NAACP and a leader at Allen Chapel.


From: Brian Norton <brian.edward.norton at outlook.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 5, 2021 10:31 AM
To: cynthiayslater at msn.com
Cc: Brian Norton <brian.edward.norton at outlook.com>; David Troxler <pastordave3 at aol.com>; daytonapriest at gmail.com
Subject: Death of Joe Hatchett

Hello Cynthia,
I grieve with the local residents of Daytona Beach who knew and were helped by Justice Hatchett when he practiced law here during the 1960-70's.
He was a committed civil rights worker.

When I worked for him in 1977 - 79 as his law clerk at the Florida Supreme Court, he told me to analyze and draft each opinion with a view towards equality, justice and compassion for the poor and underserved Floridians.
He was a committed advocate against the death penalty since that extreme punishment is ordered mostly against the poor. Rarely are wealthy white persons given a sentence of death.
I helped him re-write the small claims court procedures to simplify the rules for unrepresented defendants.
He was proud that I allowed my oldest son to attend Bond Elementary School in South Tallahassee as the only white student in 5th and 6th grades. He helped me work to provide air conditioning in Bond Elementary. All the other mostly white schools had air conditioning instead of mere floor box fans in classrooms,during hot weather, and space heaters during the cold winter days.
He encouraged me to practice law representing workers with race and sex discrimination claims.

Joseph Woodrow Hatchett was a kind and compassionate man who I will always remember. I will pray for him. Please inform me if there will be any local memorial ceremony.
Peace and love,
Brian
Brian Edward Norton
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
NFBF Greater Daytona Beach President
NFBF Deaf Blind Division President
386.871.3359
brian.edward.norton at outlook.com<mailto:brian.edward.norton at outlook.com>
Apostle Paul:
We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal
2 Corinthians 4:18


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