[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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