By Karen Sharpe
Called one of America’s foremost civil rights advocates by Business Wire, John J. Gibbons ’47, P’83, P’77, P’76 was recognized last fall for his commitment to education, justice and international affairs by Global Kids, a New York-based organization that advocates leadership and educates urban teens in the vital national and international affairs that affect our world.
Gibbons, a former chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, is founder of the John J. Gibbons Fellowship in Public Interest and Constitutional Law at Gibbons P.C. As an attorney, he has spent his career working for social justice—most notably arguing against the Bush administration in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay for the right to legal counsel.
Gibbons’ affiliation with and enthusiasm for Global Kids is natural, he says. Because of Global Kids, thousands of students have become well educated in global political affairs and American constitutionality—and are poised to become the leaders needed for the 21st century.
“If my generation had been exposed to experiences such as those afforded by Global Kids, perhaps we might have been better prepared to prevent some of the international fissures we have witnessed,” Gibbons says. “I hope that these wonderful young people will lead us some day to a better world. Global Kids shares that hope and deserves our enthusiastic support.”
Gibbons is a former Holy Cross Trustee.
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