Charles S. Rhyne Speech (1996), Introduced by Chuck Thompson

 IMLA's first Executive Director, Charles S. Rhyne, combined a career in litigation with a life of public service as a leader in America and in the world. As a litigator, Rhyne successfully argued the groundbreaking case of Baker v. Carr in the Supreme Court of the United States. However, Rhyne was not simply known as a litigator, his exceptional career expanded all boundries. Charles Rhyne was elected as the youngest President ever of the American Bar Association (ABA). During Charles Rhyne's tenure at the ABA and through his efforts, Law Day was established. In 1961, a joint resolution of Congress designated May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day - USA. This program continues to this day and has spread to many other countries as World Law Day.

For IMLA members and local government lawyers, Charles Rhyne will be remembered as the pivotal force in the success of IMLA (formerly the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers). In late 1935, Rhyne met with Fiorella La Guardia of New York City, Richard Daley of Chicago, and other large city mayors, many of whom were themselves lawyers. The idea of national cooperation between municipalities on legal matters was discussed, and shortly after, NIMLO was born. Rhyne and NIMLO went on to file numerous amicus briefs on topics from antitrust to zoning -- labor relations, federal tax liens, rent control, employment, natural gas rates, criminal law, Indian rights under federal law, energy law, aviation, annexations, and others.

Charles Rhyne received both the Gold Award, the highest award of the American Bar Association, and the Francis Stradford Award, the highest award of the National Bar Association, as well as the Grotius Peace Award. He twice was nominated for the Nobel Peace Price.

Charles S. Rhyne pictured with (from left to right): President Harry S. Truman, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, President Lyndon B. Johnson, President Richard M. Nixon, President Gerald R. Ford.