Retired 75th District Court Judge Henry Hart stands next to the 27th Michigan Legal Milestone plaque commemorating his accomplishments in improving highway safety in Michigan.

Retired Judge Henry Hart of Midland was honored with the 27th Michigan Legal Milestone at a dedication ceremony held on May 24, 1999 at the Midland County Courthouse. The State Bar of Michigan dedicated a permanent plaque entitled "Judge Henry Hart's No Passing Zone Pennants 'Committee of One'" to be displayed in the lobby of the courthouse.

State Bar President J. Thomas Lenga, State Senator Bill Schuette and State Representative Tony Stamas spoke at the ceremony honoring Judge Hart. Midland County Chief Judge James Wilson, Chair of the Midland County Board of Commissioners Betty Fillmore, the city's Mayor Drummond Black and Judge Hart's son, Midland County Chief Judge Pro Tempore John H. Hart also spoke at the dedication ceremony.

Judge Hart set a personal goal to improve highway safety in Michigan and led a "one-man campaign" for the uniform placement of yellow "No Passing Zone" signs on the left side of Michigan roads. The signs, shaped in the form of a pennant, have served to decrease the number of traffic accidents in no passing zones and is credited with saving thousands of lives in Michigan.

Judge Hart's No Passing Zone sign campaign began when he was inspired after first spotting the signs in the 1960's while driving in the state of Iowa. It took him several years, but in 1972 he convinced the Michigan Highway Department and the Michigan Legislature to model their sign placement after Iowa.

Although the law changed, the signs were slow in going up. Judge Hart went to the office of then Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley for support and an opinion was issued which stated "If the law regarding the 'No Passing Zones' is disregarded by the Highway Department, it could be liable financially for accidents happening at 'No Passing Zones.'" A quick reply from the Michigan Highway Department promised that the signs would be in place no later than January 1, 1983.

A traffic court judge and traffic safety advocate, Judge Hart began his legal career in Midland in 1937, serving as a municipal and district judge for 38 years. Even though he retired in 1982, Judge Hart continued to promote the "pennant" nationwide and as a result, he has been honored with several awards. One national award came from the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3-M); a company that had worked with Judge Hart on his traffic safety campaign. The award inscription read, "Your 'Committee of One' has made our highways safer for all motorists."

This was the 27th Michigan Legal Milestone designated by the State Bar of Michigan. Each commemorates an event or case which has a profound impact on American law.

Milestone ceremony participants were (left to right): Mayor of Midland, attorney Drummond Black; Chair of the Midland County Board of Commissioners Betty Fillmore; Chief Judge Pro Tempore, 75th District Court Hon. John H. Hart; Milestone honoree, retired Judge Henry Hart; State Bar President J. Thomas Lenga; Michigan State Senator Bill Schuette; and Michigan State Representative Tony Stamas.