Highest-ranking black judge not a critic

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's highest ranking black judge has no opinion about Gov. Frank Keating's record on appointing minorities to state posts. Tom Colbert, 50, is an Oklahoma City attorney

Monday, March 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma's highest ranking black judge has no opinion about Gov. Frank Keating's record on appointing minorities to state posts. Tom Colbert, 50, is an Oklahoma City attorney whom Keating named to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals last week.

"I think that we always in our society need diversity," Colbert told the Tulsa World for a story in Sunday's editions. "I think the governor has done a great thing to ensure we have diversity in our state. It is a historic moment."

Colbert replaces Tulsan Daniel Boudreau on the court. Keating appointed Boudreau to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The Oklahoma Black Legislative Caucus is reportedly pleased with the appointment, but state Rep. Opio Toure, D-Oklahoma City, a member, believes Keating should rest on his laurels. The governor still lags behind in appointing blacks to Cabinet post and highly visible boards and commissions like the Board of Regents, Toure said.

He identified the Judicial Nominating Commission as part of the problem. The commission makes recommendations to the governor. Toure said American Indians and Hispanics share his sentiments.

Colbert is a 1968 graduate of Sapulpa High School who received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Kentucky State University. While at Kentucky State on a track scholarship, he was named a NCAA All-American in track and field.

Colbert was a member of the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Division from 1973 to 1975. He earned his law degree in 1982 from the University of Oklahoma. Colbert spent two years as an assistant dean of the law school at Marquette University before returning to become an assistant district attorney in Oklahoma County. He went into private practice in 1986.