Nearly 100 people packed into this courtroom at the federal courthouse in Pine Bluff Wednesday morning to honor a man who blazed a trail for others to follow in a difficult era.

The Honorable George Howard Jr. not only served in the navy in World War II... but he later became the president of the local chapter of the NAACP.

Eventually he became the first African American in Arkansas to be appointed to a federal judgeship.

"He grew up before integration,” said Representative Mike Ross, “He broke down a lot of barriers to become an attorney."

Howard was also known as a tenacious and effective civil rights activist.

That's one of many reasons why his name will now be permanently attached to the Federal building and courthouse in Pine Bluff.

"I hope this will serve as a constant reminder to young people in pine bluff that you work hard get a good education,” said Ross, “You can be anything you want to be."

Some might say it's just a name on a building... but this is unique in that it is rare for a name to be placed on a U.S. courthouse.

Judge Howard's daughter Risie Howard says her father loved public service, loved Pine Bluff...and more than anything… he loved his family.

"He was the same at home as he was on the bench,” said Howard, “And he was dedicated to equality for all people."