The Place:
"The Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse is a courthouse and U.S. federal government facility in Jacksonville, Florida. It houses:
- The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, and corresponding offices of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
- A satellite office of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System, United States Marshals Service, and United States Trustee Program offices
The courthouse was completed in late 2002 at a cost of $84 million and opened in early 2003. It replaced the old former courthouse, which was built in 1933 and had many indoor air quality problems, including illness-inducing mold and mildew.
The new courthouse comprises 492,000 square feet (45,700 m2) over 14 floors, with a secure parking facility in the basement. It was named after John Milton Bryan Simpson after an act of Congress introduced by Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson was passed. The courthouse was officially dedicated on August 11, 2008."
--Wikipedia (
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The Person:
A plaque located in front of the courthouse provides the following information about the person:
"John Milton Bryan Simpson
May 30, 1903 - August 22, 1987
Born 1903 in Kissimmee, Florida. Graduated from University of Florida College of Law 1926. Practiced law, Jacksonville, Florida, 1926-39. Assistant State Attorney, Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, 1933-39. Judge, Duval County Criminal Court of Record, 1939-43, 1945-46. U.S. Army, 1st Lt., serving in the European Theater 1943-45. Judge, Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida, 1946-50. Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida 1950-62, Chief Judge1961-62. Judge, United States District Court, Middle District of Florida 1962-66, Chief Judge 1962-66. Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1966-81. Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1981-1987.
Judge Simpson served on the federal bench during a time when our Nation was in turmoil over the civil rights struggle. A man of courage and steadfastness, he faithfully and impartially discharged the duties incumbent upon him as a federal judge and in the process, gave full meaning to the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. His impartial, yet firm, administration of justice earned him the admiration and respect of those who appeared before him, his community, and his colleagues on the bench."