John H. Hannah Jr. Explained

John H. Hannah Jr.
Office:Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Term Start:2001
Term End:December 4, 2003
Predecessor:Richard A. Schell
Successor:Thad Heartfield
Office1:Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Appointer1:Bill Clinton
Predecessor1:Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Successor1:Michael H. Schneider Sr.
Term Start1:March 11, 1994
Term End1:December 4, 2003
Office2:Secretary of State of Texas
Term Start2:April 15, 1991
Term End2:March 1994
Governor2:Ann Richards
Predecessor2:George Bayoud
Successor2:Ron Kirk
State House3:Texas
District3:5th
Term Start3:January 10, 1967
Term End3:January 9, 1973
Predecessor3:Steve Burgess
Successor3:Herman Adams, Jr.
Birth Name:John Henry Hannah Jr.
Birth Date:30 June 1939
Birth Place:Nacogdoches County, Texas, U.S.
Death Place:West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Education:Sam Houston State University (BS)
Serviceyears:1958–1961

John Henry Hannah Jr.[1] (June 30, 1939 – December 4, 2003) from[2] was an American lawyer, politician, and jurist who served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Early life and education

Born in Nacogdoches County, Hannah was raised in Diboll, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State University in 1966 and attended the University of Houston Law Center and the South Texas College of Law. He did not receive a law degree from either institution and received his law license through self-study.[3]

Career

Hannah served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1961. He served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for the fifth district from 1967 to 1973 and worked in private practice in Lufkin from 1971 to 1973. He was a district attorney in Angelina County from 1973 to 1975 and was legal counsel to Common Cause of Texas in 1975, returning to private practice in Lufkin from 1975 to 1977. He was the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas from 1977 to 1981 and again worked in private practice in Lufkin from 1981 to 1991. He was a secretary of state of Texas from 1991 to 1994.[4] He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Federal judicial service

On November 19, 1993, Hannah was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas created by 104 Stat. 5089. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 10, 1994, and received his commission on March 11, 1994. He served as chief judge from 2001 to 2003.

Personal life

Hannah died suddenly of a heart attack on December 4, 2003, while attending a judicial conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. His wife, United States Magistrate Judith Guthrie was with him when he died.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Legislative Reference Library Legislators and Leaders Member profile . lrl.texas.gov . 23 December 2019.
  2. http://www.shsu.edu/dept/office-of-alumni-relations/awards/distinguished/people/hannah.html John H. Hannah, Jr. '65 | Office of Alumni Relations | Sam Houston State University
  3. Web site: Official profile at Texas Lawyers.
  4. Web site: John H. Hannah, Jr. '65 Office of Alumni Relations Sam Houston State University . 2022-11-15 . SHSU Online . en.
  5. Web site: John H. Hannah Jr.'s Obituary on Austin American-Statesman. .