FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2005

CONTACT: Daniel P. Finney, (515) 271-2833 or Daniel.Finney@drake.edu

LAW SCHOOL ALUMNUS DONATES NUREMBERG TRANSCRIPTS

Howard Haft, a 1953 Drake Law School alumnus, and his wife, Judy, have donated a complete 42-volume transcript of the Nuremberg Trials to the Drake Law Library.

The transcripts detail Nazi Germany’s Holocaust against the Jews before and during World War II. The trials, which ran from 1945-1949 at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice, brought to public awareness the most heinous crimes against humanity and peace in recorded history. Most estimates place the total number of Europeans annihilated in the Holocaust between 9 to 13 million, including 6 million Jews.

The Hafts’ gift allows future generations of Drake scholars to study both the history and the procedure of law during war and war crimes tribunals and trials. The donation comes at an especially interesting time as the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism continue amid heated debates about how to deal with prisoners and criminals during war.

“This gift could not have been more timely,” said David Walker, dean of the Law School. “Our focus at the Law School has been on expanding to offer more study on international law, civil rights, human rights and constitutional law. With all that is going on in the world, we know that the Holocaust and the Nuremberg Trials communicate powerful lessons we cannot forget. This gift will be a very valuable resource for faculty and students at Drake.”

The transcripts join an already impressive collection of papers donated by 1914 law alumnus Charles Wennerstrum, a former Iowa Supreme Court Justice, who served as a judge during the hostage portion of the Nuremberg Trials.

“The volumes are a great complement to our collection,” said John Edwards director of the Law Library and professor of law. “They are as relevant today as they were 60 years ago.”

Haft practiced law and owned a business in Chicago for many years. He has served on Drake’s governing board, the Law School Board of Counselors and multiple committees on steering Drake’s future.

The Hafts previously made gifts to help renovate the Drake Law Review suite and the Student Bar Association office in Cartwright Hall. They also established the Morris A. Haft Award, which is presented annually to the outstanding member of the Law Review board who contributed the most to the quality and success of the Review. The award is named after Howard Haft’s father.
The Drake Law Library staff is cataloging the transcript volumes now. The works should be available for researchers by fall.

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