1980 June 25 The nomination of Alabama State Senator U. W. Clemon is unanimously approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ranking Republican committee member Senator Strom Thurmond endorses Clemon and says although he does not condone his (Clemon's) late filing of tax returns, there was "no indication whatsoever of fraud." If confirmed by the Senate, Clemon would be the thirty-second black appointed to a federal judgeship by President Carter. At the start of his administration, only 19 blacks sat on the bench.