Edward Dominic Re (October 14, 1920 – Sepptember 17, 2006) was a United States lawyer and judge and, in 1968, served as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Edward D. Re was born in Santa Marina, Salina, Italy on October 14, 1920, the son of Captain Antonio Re and Marina Maetta Re. Edward (Eddie) Re received a "Derivative Citizenship" under his father. Re received his "Certificate of Citizenship" on February 9, 1944. Re was a resident of the United States from 1928 till his death in 2006. He was educated in New York City Graduated from P. S. 176 and New Utrecht High School, Brooklyn, New York; St. John's University School of Commerce, B. S. cum laude, 1941; St. John's School of Law, LL.B. summa cum laude, 1943; and New York University School of Law, J.S.D. summa cum laude, 1950. Re received more than twenty (20) "Honorary Doctorates" from Colleges and Universities throughout the United States, Europe and Africa.
Despite being a lawyer, upon completion of Re's last year at St. Johns Law School and passing the New York State Bar, Re was drafted and called to duty as a "Private" (Pvt). Thereafter, Re joined the [United States Air Force] receiving the initial rank of Airman Basic (no Insignia). Re completed Officer Candidate School (OCS) remained full time active duty teaching Military Law, Aircraft Recognition and languages (French, Italian and Spanish). During WWII Re served at the rank of Sergeant. Re remained active duty in the United States Air Force from 1943 to 1947. Re reenlisted as a reserve officer in 1947, Legal Officer, AAF Special Board of Officers, Defense Counsel in Special and General Courts-"Martial". While teaching at the Army War College, Re was recalled for Duty in 1951 (Korean War) establishing equitable procedures and administered program to "select-out" reserve officers of marginal efficiency (First Air Force, Mitchel Air Force Base). On June 21, 1961 Re was awarded the United States Air Force Commendation Medal. Re's Military Reserve Status was Colonel, United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Department. Re retired at the rank of Colonel in 1969 after 26 years of service in the United States Air Force.
Chief Judge Edward D. Re Emeritus of the United States Court of International Trade was Knighted by the Government of Italy "Order of Merit" in 1960 and eventually received every rank concluding with the highest rank of "Grand Cross".
He was appointed to the faculty of St. John's University School of Law and taught there from 1947 until 1961. He taught Appellate Advocacy, International Law, and Remedies. Chief Judge Re continued to teach as an adjuct professor while serving on the bench, and returned to St. John's Law School after retiring from the Court Of International Trade in 1992 where he remained a full time faculty member until 2003. In 1961, the Holy See named Re as a consultant to its delegation attending the United Nations Conference on Narcotic Drugs.
In 1961, President of the United States John F. Kennedy named Re chairman of the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. He simultaneously served as a master in chancery and referee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 nominated Re as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. In 1969, Johnson nominated Re to be a judge of the United States Customs Court. President Jimmy Carter made him chief judge of that court in 1977, and President Ronald Reagan made him chief judge of the court of International Trade on November 1, 1980. Re retired from the federal bench in 1991.
Re played many instruments professionally and was a member of Musicians local, "Local 806" since 1938. Re was an orchestra leader, backup drummer for Buddy Rich, a professional violinist, and studied Vibraphone under the tutelage of Lionel Hampton.
Re was married to the former Margaret Anne Corcoran, June 3, 1950, in St. Aidan's Church, Williston Park, Long Island, New York. Mrs. Re received a B. A. Degree from Manhattanville College of Sacred Heart, 1944, and an LL.B. from St. John's University School of Law, 1950, and that year was admitted to the New York Bar and was admitted to the U. S. Supreme Court in 1961. Together the couple had twelve children: Mary Ann, Anthony John, Marina, Edward Domenic Jr., Victor Michael, Margaret Theresa, Matthew James, Joseph Robert, Mary Elizabeth, Mary Joan, Mary Ellen, and Nancy Madeleine.
Re died on September 17, 2006.
Re published more than 30 books. Some of them include:
It is conservatively estimated that Re published more than 250 scholarly Articles ranging in topics from "Roman Contributions to American Law", The Nationalization of Foreign-Owned Property, The Quarantine of Cuba, Mobilization for Peace, Columbus Contribution to America, The Role of the Lawyer, Judicial Independence to the "Popular Dissatisfaction of the American Lawyer". The breath of Re's writings represent more than his is ability to have mastered the profession of International Law. His writings represent a keen understanding of many cultures, languages and professions.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Charles Frankel |
Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs February 28, 1968 – January 9, 1969 |
Succeeded by John Richardson, Jr. |