1949–2009
LLDF mourns the passing of Frank Hughes, one of LLDF’s earliest “defenders of the defenders of life.” Frank’s irrepressible wit and unflappable demeanor made him a joy to work with and a source of frustration to the opposition. Below are one client’s memories of Frank:
I wish I could adequately explain the great privilege it was to meet and be defended by Frank Hughes.
I was part of a group of sidewalk counselors who gathered weekly at Planned Parenthood in Sunnyvale to pray and offer alternatives to women. We had been served papers to appear in court. The primary charge (as I recall) was that we had caused PP tens of thousands of dollars in lost business.
While that was music to my ears it would take a very sharp mind to defend us. This is where Frank Hughes enters the picture.
The first time we met as a group we at once realized that we were in very good hands. Frank sat down, put his laptop on the table, then asked us to join hands in prayer. I quickly realized that Frank prayed before he did anything. A week later we went to a preliminary meeting before the judge.
Our opposition was asking for an injunction to be put in place even before the case was heard. It was not necessary for us to be there but Frank believed it would help if the judge had a chance to see us. We met at Frank’s office and ran to the courthouse soon after. We had been so preoccupied with the incidentals that we nearly forgot to pray. But not Frank! On the elevator on the way up Frank said, “let us pray”. We joined hands once again and asked the Good Lord for guidance.
The judge asked if Frank wanted to speak (this was unusual for this type of hearing). Frank took advantage of the opportunity and the Holy Spirit provided the inspiration. I have never seen anything so eloquent, even on TV courtroom dramas. The following day was a Saturday, Frank called to tell me he had heard from the judge who decided he would have to look at the property that was in dispute.
Frank was as excited as I was when the judge said there was no need for an injunction or a buffer zone.
It is a very rare occurrence when PP does not prevail but Frank Hughes did it with such grace. We returned to prayer at the same location with a real appreciation for those who make it possible for us to exercise our constitutional rights.
Thank God for this faithful servant and for LLDF who made it possible.