Judge Henry Mentz
Encyclopedia
Henry Alvan Mentz Jr. was a United States federal judge
appointed by President Ronald Reagan
in 1982 and unanimously approved by the Senate. He served on the Federal Bench (Eastern District of Louisiana
) for almost 20 years.
in 1920 but lived in Hammond, Louisiana
, from 1928 until 1982. He was awarded a scholarship to Tulane University
at the age of 16 and in 1941 graduated with distinction with a B.A.
from Tulane University. During college he was a member of Delta Tau Delta
fraternity and played clarinet in the Tulane University Band from 1937 to 1941; he remained a jazz
-o-phile for the rest of his life. He then received an LL.B. in 1943 from the Louisiana State University Law School
, where he was a member of the law review
.
Upon graduation from law school in 1943, Mentz immediately enlisted as a private in the Army
. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge
and in central Germany as an Alpha Bravo weapons specialist, was promoted to Sergeant, and served his country until honorable discharge in late 1945. He was awarded two Battle Stars and the Bronze Star
. His battalion and company liberated vital strategic sectors and several concentration camps
during World War II
. After the war he served in the JAG Corps
. Upon return from Europe, he working in private practice in Hammond, Louisiana
, and as a staff attorney of the Shell Oil Company
from 1947 to 1948, He then served Louisiana as Special Counsel to the Democratic Party
-controlled state senate at the request of Governor Earl Long
. From 1954 to 1961, Mentz was city attorney for Hammond, Louisiana.
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
vacated by Lansing L. Mitchell. Mentz was confirmed by the United States Senate
on June 24, 1982, and received his commission the following day. After a decade of active service, he assumed senior status
on July 1, 1992, retiring completely from the bench on December 31, 2001.
As a Senior Judge, Mentz served as a Visiting Federal Judge in Boston, New York, San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago. Mentz received national recognition for his oversight of the Shell
Norco
Explosion case. As a jurist, Judge Mentz wrote, published, and edited several hundred legal opinions and articles. As an academician and scholar, he edited and published research on the Bible
in his book The Combined Gospels, which was published in 1975.
in New Orleans; served two-terms as President of the Louisiana Civil Service League; served as President of The Multi Parish Bar Association
on the Northshore; was active in providing legal assistance to minorities; created and chaired indigent pro-bono organizations in Louisiana; served as a board member of Southeastern Louisiana University
; served Loyola University New Orleans
in various capacities and designated a large scholarship fund for Loyola Law School; and also served on several boards and committees for Tulane University. Mentz also served on the Executive Committee of the Council for a Better Louisiana and served two terms on the board of directors of WYES
, a New Orleans public television
station.
Mentz was active in forestation and tree farming
for 40 years and was elected to serve his church in several capacities. Mentz was president of the Louisiana Council for Music and the Performing Arts from 1995 to 1996 and recipient of the AMVETS
Distinguished Services Award in 1950. During his lifetime, Mentz held various faculty recognition and appointments at law schools and other graduate training academies.
Masons
and other Masonic associations for over 50 years; member of the Red Cross of Constantine; member of the Boston Club.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
appointed by President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
in 1982 and unanimously approved by the Senate. He served on the Federal Bench (Eastern District of Louisiana
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana is a federal trial court based in New Orleans. Like all U.S...
) for almost 20 years.
Early life
Mentz was born in New OrleansNew Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
in 1920 but lived in Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,049 at the 2009 census. It is home to Southeastern Louisiana University...
, from 1928 until 1982. He was awarded a scholarship to Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
at the age of 16 and in 1941 graduated with distinction with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Tulane University. During college he was a member of Delta Tau Delta
Delta Tau Delta
Delta Tau Delta is a U.S.-based international secret letter college fraternity. Delta Tau Delta was founded in 1858 at Bethany College, Bethany, Virginia, . It currently has around 125 student chapters nationwide, as well as more than 25 regional alumni groups. Its national community service...
fraternity and played clarinet in the Tulane University Band from 1937 to 1941; he remained a jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
-o-phile for the rest of his life. He then received an LL.B. in 1943 from the Louisiana State University Law School
Paul M. Hebert Law Center
The Paul M. Hebert Law Center is a law school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, part of the Louisiana State University System and located on the main campus of Louisiana State University....
, where he was a member of the law review
Law review
A law review is a scholarly journal focusing on legal issues, normally published by an organization of students at a law school or through a bar association...
.
Upon graduation from law school in 1943, Mentz immediately enlisted as a private in the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
and in central Germany as an Alpha Bravo weapons specialist, was promoted to Sergeant, and served his country until honorable discharge in late 1945. He was awarded two Battle Stars and the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
. His battalion and company liberated vital strategic sectors and several concentration camps
Nazi concentration camps
Nazi Germany maintained concentration camps throughout the territories it controlled. The first Nazi concentration camps set up in Germany were greatly expanded after the Reichstag fire of 1933, and were intended to hold political prisoners and opponents of the regime...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war he served in the JAG Corps
Judge Advocate General's Corps, U.S. Army
The Judge Advocate General's Corps of the United States Army is composed of Army officers who are also lawyers and who provide legal services to the Army at all levels of command. The Judge Advocate General's Legal Service includes judge advocates, warrant officers, paralegal noncommissioned...
. Upon return from Europe, he working in private practice in Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond, Louisiana
Hammond is the largest city in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 20,049 at the 2009 census. It is home to Southeastern Louisiana University...
, and as a staff attorney of the Shell Oil Company
Shell Oil Company
Shell Oil Company is the United States-based subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, a multinational oil company of Anglo Dutch origins, which is amongst the largest oil companies in the world. Approximately 22,000 Shell employees are based in the U.S. The head office in the U.S. is in Houston, Texas...
from 1947 to 1948, He then served Louisiana as Special Counsel to the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
-controlled state senate at the request of Governor Earl Long
Earl Long
Earl Kemp Long was an American politician and the 45th Governor of Louisiana for three non-consecutive terms. Long termed himself the "last of the red hot poppas" of politics, referring to his stump-speaking skills...
. From 1954 to 1961, Mentz was city attorney for Hammond, Louisiana.
Judicial service and scholarly work
On June 2, 1982, Mentz was nominated by President Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana is a federal trial court based in New Orleans. Like all U.S...
vacated by Lansing L. Mitchell. Mentz was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on June 24, 1982, and received his commission the following day. After a decade of active service, he assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on July 1, 1992, retiring completely from the bench on December 31, 2001.
As a Senior Judge, Mentz served as a Visiting Federal Judge in Boston, New York, San Francisco, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago. Mentz received national recognition for his oversight of the Shell
Shell Oil Company
Shell Oil Company is the United States-based subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, a multinational oil company of Anglo Dutch origins, which is amongst the largest oil companies in the world. Approximately 22,000 Shell employees are based in the U.S. The head office in the U.S. is in Houston, Texas...
Norco
Norco, Louisiana
Norco is a census-designated place in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 3,579 at the 2000 census. The community is home to a major Shell petroleum refinery. Its name is derived from the New Orleans Refining Company....
Explosion case. As a jurist, Judge Mentz wrote, published, and edited several hundred legal opinions and articles. As an academician and scholar, he edited and published research on the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
in his book The Combined Gospels, which was published in 1975.
Service to the community
Mentz devoted substantial efforts over his life to legal, academic, government, charity, and community service. He was active in the South Louisiana community for the last 50 years as a board member of the Salvation ArmySalvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
in New Orleans; served two-terms as President of the Louisiana Civil Service League; served as President of The Multi Parish Bar Association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
on the Northshore; was active in providing legal assistance to minorities; created and chaired indigent pro-bono organizations in Louisiana; served as a board member of Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Louisiana University
Southeastern Louisiana University is a state-funded public university in Hammond, Louisiana, United States. It was founded in 1925 by Linus A. Sims, the principal of Hammond High School, as Hammond Junior College, located in a wing of the high school building. Sims succeeded in getting the campus...
; served Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans is a private, co-educational and Jesuit university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Originally established as Loyola College in 1904, the institution was chartered as a university in 1912. It bears the name of the Jesuit patron, Saint Ignatius of Loyola...
in various capacities and designated a large scholarship fund for Loyola Law School; and also served on several boards and committees for Tulane University. Mentz also served on the Executive Committee of the Council for a Better Louisiana and served two terms on the board of directors of WYES
WYES-TV
WYES-TV is the primary Public Broadcasting Service member public television station in New Orleans, Louisiana, owned by the Greater New Orleans Educational Television Foundation. It broadcasts on virtual channel 12.-History:...
, a New Orleans public television
Public broadcasting
Public broadcasting includes radio, television and other electronic media outlets whose primary mission is public service. Public broadcasters receive funding from diverse sources including license fees, individual contributions, public financing and commercial financing.Public broadcasting may be...
station.
Mentz was active in forestation and tree farming
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
for 40 years and was elected to serve his church in several capacities. Mentz was president of the Louisiana Council for Music and the Performing Arts from 1995 to 1996 and recipient of the AMVETS
AMVETS
AMVETS or American Veterans is a volunteer-led organization formed by World War II veterans which accepts honorably discharged veterans as members....
Distinguished Services Award in 1950. During his lifetime, Mentz held various faculty recognition and appointments at law schools and other graduate training academies.
Memberships
Member of the Episcopal Church, Scottish RiteScottish Rite
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry , commonly known as simply the Scottish Rite, is one of several Rites of the worldwide fraternity known as Freemasonry...
Masons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
and other Masonic associations for over 50 years; member of the Red Cross of Constantine; member of the Boston Club.