Professor Henry T. King, Jr., 1919-2009: honoring his legacy.

• Author: Rassi, Christopher M.
• Position: A Tribute to Henry King - Testimonial

I always looked to Henry as a mentor. I first met Henry when I was an undergraduate student here at Case Western Reserve. I was taking part in an international humanitarian law competition--the Jean-Pictet Competition--being held in Malta that year. You may be wondering, "What does an 18 year old know about international humanitarian law?" I'm sure Henry too asked himself the same question when he first met me! However, Henry guided me and explained in detail his fascinating life in international criminal law. He brought the law "out of the books." At that time, he was entrenched in the discussions to create the International Criminal Court. I immediately realized how fortunate I was to have as my private tutor one of the first international criminal lawyers. When delegates from 131 nations met in Rome to establish the ICC in 1998, their original draft placed war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide under the court's jurisdiction. The delegates did not include the crime of aggression in the court's statute. Henry traveled to Rome and lobbied to reshape the draft. His life's work was accomplished when a reference to the crime of war of aggression was included in the court's statute, and when the statute was adopted. And there I was learning from a true legend.

Henry was so eager to hear about my experiences at the Pictet, and remained curious about my growing involvement with the organization over the years. In 2001, he was honored when I asked him to be the opening speaker at the Competition, which was being held in the United States for the first time. He was the perfect person to open the event, and address the hundred or so students from around the world. They were in Cleveland to discuss the laws of war. Henry showed them firsthand how moral authority and the rule of law can effect positive change. Despite his unparalleled achievements, Henry loved being part of new adventures. For years, he kept talking about the mix of cultures that he witnessed at the Pictet. In particular, he could not believe that a Russian team was composed of both Japanese and American law students. "Isn't that something? That's WONDERFUL," he would often say. He encouraged me in all of these endeavors, because he truly loved international law and relations.

Henry never lectured me; he served as a constant reference on the practice of law, which continued upon my return from Malta in 1998, throughout law school, in private practice, and during my time as...