[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5423-S5424]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  JUDGE JOE ANDERSON'S REDEDICATION OF THE EDGEFIELD COUNTY COURTHOUSE

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, the very foundation of our Nation lies 
in the rule of law, and there is perhaps no symbol more closely 
associated with the process of justice than the courthouse. Not only is 
the courthouse where justice is dispensed, but it is a reminder to all 
citizens that the judiciary is the third branch of our system of 
government.
  Recently, the Edgefield County Courthouse was rededicated, and Judge 
Joe Anderson, of the South Carolina District Court, was the keynote 
speaker at the ceremony. His remarks were very well received by the 
crowd and helped to make the event a great success. Though I was unable 
to attend this event, I heard from a number of friends who did that 
Judge Anderson's remarks were truly excellent. After requesting a copy 
of his speech, I came to the very same conclusion and thought that my 
peers in the Senate would enjoy reading them as much as I did.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of this speech be 
printed in the Record following my remarks.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       Judge Keesley, Members of the County Council, other 
     distinguished guests, and friends:
       What a joy, what an honor, to have the privilege of being a 
     part of this ceremony. I appreciate the opportunity you have 
     given me to come home, and to show my appreciation, I promise 
     not to afflict you with many words.
       As one who spends all of my working hours in a courthouse 
     building, I am honored to say a few brief words in 
     rededication of this historic structure and what it has come 
     to symbolize for our community.
       Winston Churchill once said that the best measure of the 
     quality of a society is the quality of its justice.'' America 
     is distinguished from other countries by the quality of its 
     law and how it is used by its people to expand liberty and 
     opportunity. Our law represents our national dreams, our 
     system of justice towards one another.
       The assumptions that we make every day, the security we 
     take for granted, the social compact that allows us to live 
     together peacefully . . . these are the result of law. In 
     rededicating this building we rededicate ourselves to the 
     rule of law.
       Courthouse buildings, of course, represent a symbol of 
     permanence and the place where our laws are administered. It 
     is here that our citizens are summoned to become actively 
     involved in the public administration of justice--a privilege 
     that citizens of most other countries do not enjoy. It is 
     here that the cogs and gears of liberty function on a daily 
     basis.
       I have always thought that the rather nondescript term we 
     use to describe these buildings--``courthouse''--does not 
     adequately convey the importance of the work that goes on 
     inside. The French use a more inspirational name: ``Palace of 
     Justice.''
       Regardless of the name by which it is called, no one can 
     deny the role that our courthouse, our ``Palace of Justice'' 
     has played in the development of our county. We are all 
     indebted to Chairman Monroe Kneece and the members of our 
     county council Betty Buter, Sam Speight, Daniel Bishop and 
     Norman Dorn and County Administrator Wayne Adams for their 
     foresight in recognizing the renovations and improvements 
     that were needed. Their vision and hard work have brought 
     this historic structure up to standards that will allow it to 
     serve in the next millennium and beyond, while at the same 
     time preserving all the charm and history that makes this 
     building special for all of us. This ceremony is, in part, a 
     tribute to their stewardship of one of the real crown jewels 
     of our county. On occasions such as this, we ask God's 
     blessing on their endeavors.
       Today is one of those moments when we can pause, take a 
     look at where we've been, where we are, and where we might be 
     headed.

[[Page S5424]]

       Bettis Rainsford has chronicled for you the history of the 
     Edgefield County Courthouse. There may not be many other 
     courthouses in America, certainly not in South Carolina, with 
     a pedigree to match that of this building. I am certain that 
     there is no courthouse anywhere with so many portraits of 
     notable leaders--statesmen, generals, lawyers and judges. I 
     distinctly remember my first visit to this courthouse with my 
     father. The portraits on the walls left a lasting impression 
     on me. I particularly remember my father singling out Senator 
     Strom Thurmond, pictured on these walls when he was a young 
     Circuit Judge, as well as his father, John William Thurmond, 
     one of the most able lawyers our state has ever produced.
       But what does all this history mean to us as we are about 
     to embark on a new century? As South Carolinians and, 
     especially as Edgefieldians, we have a rich heritage. We are 
     each of us the sum total of generations of growing, yearning, 
     of planning and failing, of building and destroying and 
     building again.
       This is an exciting time for Edgefield County. Our area is 
     growing, our young people have a place to come back to, our 
     schools are moving ahead, industry is recognizing the virtues 
     of small town life and good work ethic that goes with it. 
     Edgefield County is on the move.
       This building is a monument to the hands, hearts and minds 
     of our forebearers. Not just the dignitaries on these walls--
     not just the statesmen, the generals, the lawyers and the 
     judges--but also the public servants behind the scenes, like 
     Miss Martha Rich, the merchants, the ministers, the school 
     teachers, the sharecroppers, the industrialists, the artists 
     and the artisans who have gone before us to help make this 
     corner of God's earth a special place in our hearts.
       Thank you again for inviting me.

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