Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks at the Stephen J. Pollak Memorial Event on May 24, 2024, honoring the late Steve Pollak's contributions to civil rights and his impact on the legal community.
Garland opened by expressing gratitude to Pollak’s family and recalling a previous event where Pollak spoke during the 65th anniversary of the Civil Rights Division. During that occasion, Pollak refrained from discussing his significant achievements such as assisting in the Selma to Montgomery march, drafting the Voting Rights Act of 1965, or leading responses after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.
Instead, Pollak emphasized collective effort by stating: “I didn’t do it alone,” and credited colleagues Burke Marshall and John Doar, along with past and present employees of the Civil Rights Division.
Garland described Pollak as a dedicated public servant who always shared credit with others. He reminisced about their personal connection which began in the late 1980s during an investigation led by Jim McKay and extended through their families’ intertwined activities.
Further highlighting Pollak’s influence, Garland noted his role in lightening judges' dockets as Chair of the Panel of Mediators of the D.C. Circuit and his leadership within the Historical Society of the District of Columbia Circuit’s Oral History Program.
In closing, Garland cited Pollak's belief in government as a force for good: “From an early time I wanted to be in government. I thought that the government was a force for good, and that I wanted to be part of it.” He acknowledged Pollak's service to civil rights and committed to honoring his legacy through continued work at the Justice Department.
"Thank you," concluded Garland, addressing Ruth Pollak and her family while reaffirming their commitment to civil rights protection.
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