President Howard W. Hunter of the Council of the Twelve was presented a certificate Nov. 26 in Pasadena, Calif., honoring him for 50 years of service to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

He graduated cum laude with a degree in law from Southwestern University in 1939 at the age of 35. He was admitted to the bar of the court on April 8, 1940. When he was called to the Council of the Twelve on Oct. 10, 1959, he was one of Los Angeles' leading attorneys."The court and the representatives of the bar of the court thought it was important to recognize those who have been of service for a half a century," said U.S. Circuit Judge J. Clifford Wallace, who is a member of the Church. "President Hunter's major contribution as a member of the bar was the high level of professionalism and integrity in which he carried out his practice."

Judge Wallace told the Church News that President Hunter is the first to receive this award, but that others will follow. He presented the award to President Hunter during a special ceremonial session of the court here.

Special speakers addressed the court during the session. These included: John S. Welch, a prominent LDS lawyer in Los Angeles; Leigh Taylor, dean of the Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles; and Henry Shields, a representative of the bar of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. President Hunter's son, John, a judge in the Ventura County Municipal Court, also offered remarks.

Judge Wallace said, "Leigh Taylor pointed out that the Mormon students at Southwestern Law School have established the Howard W. Hunter Law Students Association. One of those students told the dean that it was President Hunter's inspiration that caused him to go to law school even though he was in his 30s, a combat veteran and had lost his leg. He was inspired by President Hunter's example of going to law school later in life and working his way through school. The dean added that this student is doing very well."

Brother Welch said during his remarks that President Hunter loves the law in its "broadest concepts, including the civil law and the spiritual, both of which are so much a part of his life. I doubt if there has ever been any attempt in his own mind to compartmentalize the two, or that he has ever seen any need to do so."

Commenting on this honor, President Hunter said, "I want to pay my respects to you as you have to me today. I express my appreciation to each of you for this framed remembrance that I will highly regard."