Then to the rock let me fly

and, in a landmark case, helped establish the right of American Indians to sue for compensation for lands taken from them. In 1961, Oklahoma's powerful Senator Robert S. Kerr recommended Bohanon for appointment to the federal bench, and although the appointment was clouded by conflict with Attorney General Robert Kennedy, it was approved by President John Kennedy. Since then Bohanon has presided over some of the state's most controversial and important cases - cases.