[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 7, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H1276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CAMERAS IN THE SUPREME COURT

  (Mr. POE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. POE. Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court is the most powerful Court in 
the world. These nine black-robed individuals rule on constitutional 
matters that affect all Americans for lifetimes. The third branch of 
government holds its session in public, as it ought to be.
  The theory behind public court proceedings is that the more public 
and open, the more likely they are to be fair. More courts throughout 
the vastness of America are expanding on this public trial concept by 
allowing unobtrusive cameras in the courtroom. This allows citizens to 
view court proceedings. When I was a judge in Texas, I allowed cameras 
to film criminal trials, including a capital murder case. I found that 
this enhanced the concept of a fair public trial.
  Those that have never been a trial lawyer or a trial judge say that 
lawyers play to the cameras; but lawyers don't play to the cameras, 
they play to the jury or the court.
  So open Supreme Court proceedings to cameras. Let America see what 
takes place. And to those judges who are opposed to this openness, 
maybe they shouldn't be doing what they do when the camera is not 
rolling.
  And that's just the way it is.

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