NATCHEZ &045;&045; The trip Judge John Hudson had to make just to pick up his award at this weekend’s Mississippi Bar Association conference was case in point why he won the award.

Hudson never gets a chance to attend the Bar’s conference because he has a commitment at another annual conference that falls on the same weekend. So this year when he was notified that he was the recipient of the 2005 Judicial Excellence Award, Hudson left one event for the other, a three-hour drive.

&uot;You often hear people use the catch-phrase, ‘too numerous to mention,’&uot; Bar President Charles J. Swayze Jr.’s speech read. &uot;In this case it is definitely true. I could go on and on about the many professional and court-related committees and organizations that Judge Hudson serves.&uot;

The Adams County Youth Court judge presides over a youth drug court, works with the Adolescent Offender Program and is active in many church and community programs.

In the past he has served as a public defender and city prosecutor in Natchez. He was appointed judge in 1983.

&uot;His commitment to children and family transcends his professional responsibility as judge to church and civic activities as well,&uot; Swayze’s speech said.

The Bar association gives the award each year to a county, circuit, chancery or state appellate judge who exemplifies judicial excellence and is a leader in advancing the quality and efficiency of justice, their press release said.

Hudson said the award came as a complete surprise.

&uot;I didn’t even know I was in any kind of running for something like that,&uot; he said. &uot;I read the letter, then I read it again. I was certainly humbled. I looked at the list of others who’ve won since 2000, and I didn’t really know that I deserved to be mentioned.&uot;

Thomas B. Story, Jr., chairman of the Council of Youth Court Judges, disagreed, saying Hudson was very deserving.

&uot;His tireless work in the community and church has been an example for us all,&uot; Story said. &uot;He exemplifies the very best that the State of Mississippi has in the Juvenile Justice field both on the bench and off.&uot;

Hudson is a lifelong resident of Natchez and attended Ole Miss for undergraduate work and law school.