Last updated on: 2/29/2008 | Author: ProCon.org

Karen J. Williams, JD Biography

Title:
Judge of the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
Position:
Pro to the question "Should the Words “under God” Be in the US Pledge of Allegiance?"
Reasoning:

“Undoubtedly, the pledge contains a religious phrase, and it is demeaning to persons of any faith to assert that the words ‘under God’ contain no religious significance. The inclusion of those two words, however, does not alter the nature of the pledge as a patriotic activity.”

AP News, Aug. 10, 2005
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Judge, 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
  • Ruled against Edward Myers, upholding Virginia state law requiring public schools to lead children in a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, 2005
  • Nominated and confirmed to the Fourth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, 1992
  • Private practice, Orangeburg, South Carolina, 1980-1992
Education:
  • JD, University of South Carolina Law Center, 1980
  • BA, Columbia College, 1972
Other:
  • None found