Eric Holder
Eric Holder
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Eric Himpton Holder Jr.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on January 21, 1951 (still living)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American | Attorney General of the United States (2009-2015), United States Deputy Attorney General (1997-2001), U.S. Senator from Maryland (2005-2008), Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia (1993-1997)
Early Life and Background
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Eric Holder Jr. was born in The Bronx, New York City, to Eric Himpton Holder Sr., a World War II veteran, and Miriam Holden, a teacher. His family moved to Queens when he was four years old. He grew up in a middle-class household with two younger sisters. Holder's parents instilled in him a strong sense of social justice and community service.
Holder attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan before enrolling at Columbia College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. He then attended St. John's University School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1976.
Major Accomplishments
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Holder's distinguished career spans over four decades. Some key accomplishments include:
First African American Attorney General: Holder was appointed by President Barack Obama as the first African American to hold this position, serving from 2009 to 2015.
Deputy Attorney General: Holder served as Deputy Attorney General under President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001. He played a crucial role in the Justice Department's efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime.
Notable Works or Actions
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Holder has been involved in numerous significant cases throughout his career:
USA v. Microsoft: Holder led the government's antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft Corporation, which resulted in a landmark settlement that promoted competition in the technology industry.
Enforcement of Civil Rights Laws: As Attorney General, Holder prioritized the enforcement of civil rights laws, particularly in areas such as voting rights and racial profiling.
Impact and Legacy
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Eric Holder's impact on American society is multifaceted:
Advocate for Racial Justice: Throughout his career, Holder has been a vocal advocate for racial justice and equality. He championed policies aimed at addressing systemic racism within the criminal justice system.
Strengthening International Cooperation: As Attorney General, Holder strengthened international cooperation on law enforcement matters, improving global security and reducing transnational crime.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Eric Holder's quotes and actions are widely referenced due to his:
Unwavering Commitment to Justice: Holder's dedication to upholding the law and promoting social justice has earned him respect from colleagues, adversaries, and the public alike.
Pioneering Spirit: As a trailblazer in the field of law enforcement, Holder paved the way for future generations of minority leaders in government.
Quotes by Eric Holder
Eric Holder's insights on:
Saturdays and Sundays, America in the year 2009 does not in some ways differ significantly from the country that existed almost 50 years ago. This is truly sad.
If you want to call me an activist attorney general, I will proudly accept that label.
Though this nation has proudly thought of itself as an ethnic melting pot, in things racial we have always been and continue to be, in too many ways, essentially a nation of cowards.
Any decision to use lethal force against a United States citizen – even one intent on murdering Americans and who has become an operational leader of al-Qaida in a foreign land – is among the gravest that government leaders can face.
One of the things I learned is that you’ve got to deal with the underlying social problems if you want to have an impact on crime – that it’s not a coincidence that you see the greatest amount of violent crime where you see the greatest amount of social dysfunction.
Let’s deal with reality. The reality is that we will be reading Miranda rights to the corpse of Osama bin Laden. He will never appear in an American courtroom.
I’m not going to let people who work in the United States Department of Justice have their characters be assailed without any basis.