Go to text of John O. Honnold, Uniform Law for International Sales under the 1980 United Nations Convention, 3rd ed., Kluwer Law International (1999) || Go to Database Directory

Honorary Degree Citation

"How can each of us improve the world -- make it a better place in which to live? John O. Honnold, Jr., by your diplomacy, tact, sensitivity, dedication, scholarship, wisdom and understanding of human nature, you are an example to our profession and to all professions. Beloved by students and colleagues -- each of whom has been touched by your human kindness -- you have stood as a giant on the civil rights trail, at your university, as a representative of our government, and at the helm of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. You have spearheaded growth in the law and in the manner in which persons of all races and nations relate to one another. In 1965, you were Chief Counsel in the Mississippi Office of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights under the Law and thereafter Director of the American Friends Service Committee. In 1959, 1963 and 1968 you published the first three editions of your Casebook on Constitutional Law. You played a leading role in preparing the Sales Article of the Uniform Commercial Code. In 1954, 1962, 1976 and 1984 you prepared the first five editions of your Cases and Materials on the Law of Sales and Sales Financing. You represented the United States at the International Conference on the Unification of Commercial Law held at The Hague in 1964. When the United Nations established a Commission on International Trade Law in 1969, the Secretary General asked you to be Chief of the Legal Staff assigned to the Commission. Under your leadership, this Commission provided more benefits to the world in international trade law than had ever been provided in all recorded history. You were responsible for ensuring that Rules of Arbitration on which the world relies were properly developed. Your text on the "United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods" is the 'bible' on this subject. Where an opportunity to serve has arisen, you have been the first to step forward. Teacher of men and women, law leader, author of texts, champion of human rights and molder of character, you bring honor to all who are exposed to your works. 'Thoughtful, gentle and fair;' 'an original sense of humor;' 'a firm conviction and strong sense of purpose;' 'a rigorous insistence on scholarship and intellectual excellence;' 'a deep commitment to the view that all people are one family' -- the world is a better place because of you; we are better persons because of you. John O. Honnold, Jr., we salute you! Pace University is proud to confer upon you the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, with all the rights and privileges pertaining thereto."