While the nation was involved in an escalating Vietnam War and Congress hotly debated the proposed “Fair Housing Act of 1966,” NAREB’s 58th president, Jack Justice*, assisted in furthering housing services for low income families, promoted the strengthening of real estate license laws and reorganized the position of first vice president.
According to Mr. Justice, the rent supplement program enacted by Congress made it possible within the framework of privately owned property to help obtain shelter of good quality for families in need. Urging Congress to appropriate the necessary funds to put this program into operation, Mr. Justice asked local boards and state associations to take an active and helpful part in utilizing the program wherever it was needed.
Mr. Justice also encouraged real estate specialization, appointed a special committee to outline a long-range plan for NAREB, and designed the REALTOR® past president lapel pin. “We have come a long way in the 58 years of our history,” he said, and added, “it is now time for us to become quite positive and specific about what we expect to accomplish in the years ahead.”
Devoting nearly 40 years to advancing the professionalism of the real estate industry, Mr. Justice served as director and 1971 president of the American Chapter of the International Real Estate Federation, representing REALTORS® at more than 20 international conferences in nine countries.
He headed the Miami Beach Board of REALTORS®, was president of the Florida Association of REALTORS®, served as secretary of the National Institute of Real Estate Brokers and was elected 1963 president of the National Institute of Farm and Land Brokers.
He also was president of the National Real Estate Fliers Association, chairman of NAREB’s Membership and Convention Committees, and served numerous terms as a member of NAREB’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
A native of Birmingham, Ala., who relocated to Miami Beach, Mr. Justice pioneered in the electric refrigeration industry during the early and mid-1930s. In 1939, he entered the real estate business. He served in the Army during World War II, returning to real estate after the war.
Mr. Justice served as town councilman of Bay Harbor Islands, Fla., as village manager of Indian Creek Village, Fla., founded his local chamber of commerce, served as president of the local Kiwanis Clib and was a founding director of the First National Bank of Bay Harbor Islands. He also was a member of the American Legion, a Scottish Rite Mason, and a Shriner.
Source: Presidents of the National Association of REALTORS®, (Chicago: NAR, 1980).
*Deceased