Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Sheds Tears Of Gratitude At Speech In Savannah

Recently when he gave a speech to a group of lawyers in Savannah, GA, about his love for the state and its people, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas broke down in tears as he gave thanks to the attorney who helped him gain custody of his grandnephew.

Thomas, a native of Savannah, paused during his speech to the Savannah Bar Association to thank Joe Bergen, the counselor who successfully handled the 1997 custody case of the then 6-year-old boy--the grandson of Thomas' only sister.

While addressing the audience, the normally reserved Thomas stopped abruptly, bowed his head, clasped his hand over his eyes and shook for about 25 seconds. As he wept quietly, the gathering of about 100 broke the awkward silence with heartfelt applause.

"That was embarrassing," the 52-year-old justice said, before he halted again for several seconds. "I apologize for the interruption. Suffice it to say, it had to be done very quickly, very quietly, very sensitively, very thoroughly.

"Thank God for Joe Bergen. He has been a friend when my family needed friends. He has never asked for a single thing."

Thomas then dabbed his eyes with a dinner napkin and continued his speech.

Like the eight other members of the court, Thomas does not give interviews, but he has spoken about his relationship with the boy to schoolchildren and civic groups.

In his speech, Thomas did not address the circumstances that led him to seek custody of his grandnephew. The 10-year-old boy lives with Thomas and his wife, Virginia Lamp, in Fairfax, VA. Thomas, who was appointed to the court in 1991, has one adult son, Jamal, from a previous marriage.

Bergen, a Savannah lawyer and family friend who represented Thomas in the custody case, sat with Thomas' mother and cousins, who live in nearby Pin Point. Bergen would not speak to reporters about the custody case.