Born on September 19, 1900, in Lawrence, Nassau County, New York, Zavatt was the son of Vincent Zavatto, a real estate professional and author who immigrated to the United States from San Martino di Finita, Italy in 1892.
[4] In one of Zavatt's major decisions, he ordered the authorities in Manhasset, L.I., to end de facto segregation in elementary schools.
[5] In a New York Times Article,[6] the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, hailed the ruling as a landmark decision.
[citation needed] Zavatt stated upon granting the Injunction, "The denial of the right not to be segregated cannot be assuaged or supported by evidence indicating that underachievement in the three R's may be due in whole or in part to low socioeconomic level, home influence or measured intelligence quotient.
Carter stated that the 59-page opinion would "carry more weight" than other recent decisions that have blocked efforts toward fuller integration in some communities.