Sandra Day O’Connor This is the most impressive group all assembled to work and think and celebrate the Constitution. And I’m really pleased to have a chance to stay at say a few words to you tonight about justice, which is a very elusive concept. And it’s been the subject of human aspiration throughout the history of the human race. 1998 marks the 200 and eighth anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Rights. Our Bill of Rights comes closest to our American notion of personal freedom and justice. And my appreciation for the Bill of Rights. It’s understandable because I spend a significant portion of my life working life thinking, arguing and writing about what it allows the government to do and what it does not allow. And yet after 17 years as a Supreme Court justice, I’m still awed by that document adopted 208 years ago. It’s as vital and timely today as it’s ever been. And I want to talk just a little bit about the history of the Bill of Rights, how it came to exist, and how our perspective on it has evolved. It was June of 1789 when James Madison stood up in the House of Representatives, and gave the speech in which he set out his first draft of what would eventually become the Bill of Rights. What prompted him to do that? History tells us that the Bill of Rights was not an accident. It represented the culmination of a long standing struggle between two groups. Trying to find the proper balance between the rights of individuals and states and the need for a strong central

Unknown Speaker Society. Professor post lecture runs for an hour and 15 minutes and followed production by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Sandra Day O’Connor am so pleased that the Supreme Court has or Historical Society is sponsoring this series of lectures on former chief justices. Now I have a special interest, of course, justices, but I think everybody should. And what really pleases me is that the lectures are held in this court room, and especially tonight going to hear about Chief Justice William Howard Taft. I mean, what better for us to hear about Taft, he was the person that thought Supreme Court should have a home of its own, instead of meeting in the basement in that Burt over in the capital that most of you have visited and he thought we had Court and a building of our own. And it had been talked about day but never approved, and Taft as the only person to ever President of the United States and later as Chief Justice, still have some clout politically with the Congress. He persuaded Congress to appropriate money for this building. And Taff did more than that he hired the architect for it, Cass Gilbert, and he was influential in forming the design and getting it carried out. I think we have one of the most wonderful buildings in all country, inspired every single day when I walk in here, and so it is special that we’re in this court room that Taft helped make possible to here at this lecture. I think there have been two chief justices who really deep About judicial

Unknown Speaker Well, I always thought I was the perfect person to introduce Justice O’Connor, because although it might not be obvious, if you look at our resume side by side, she and I do share two very important qualities. First, we are both women of the Southwest. Secondly, we have the most marvelous patient husbands on the face of the planet. Unknown Speaker But the other reason, Justice O’Connor that I assumed that I was given the honor of introducing you today is that although you don’t know it, you look over my shoulder every single day at work. One of the pleasures of being a president of the American Bar Association is that you meet magnificent people from all over the world. And very often you have your photographs taken with them. I’ve even had my photograph taken with Mickey Mouse. But I have only one picture of a famous person in my office. And it isn’t with me. It’s looking at me right above my desk, behind my chair. When I come into my office and Albuquerque every morning and turn on the lights and pull up the blinds. Justice O’Connor is looking right at me with her very direct gaze, that Brooks no dilly dallying, and says to me every day, I expect you to do more than your best because your best isn’t quite good enough. I know that you will hear this afternoon when Justice O’Connor receives the ABA medal about her magnificent contribution to American jurisprudence. And introducing her today. To all of you who care so deeply about the cause of democracy around

Sandra Day O’Connor This is a wonderful occasion for Jamestown and for all of us who are lucky enough to be here and see the unveiling of this absolutely handsome and strong statue of Justice Jackson. We’re remembering today a product of this community and of its public schools. The most treasured honor that anyone can receive is one that comes from one’s own town, from those who knew the honorary first and best, so it is today, Robert Jackson, one of the finest justices ever to sit on the bench of the United States Supreme Court, grew up on a farm close to Jamestown. It was here that he attended the Jamestown elementary and high school that he married, had his children and practice law. It was here that he spoke in 1935. At the dedication of the new Jamestown high school building, he said them. If you believe as I believe that democracy is the form of government best adapted to our people, then you must regard the public school as the most fundamental concern of our society. Democracy well. Democracy will always call most of its leaders from the ranks of humble man, and to equip them It must provide free education to the sons and daughters of disadvantaged homes. Robert Jackson was born as you heard in 1892, I thought it was in Pennsylvania, not New York. Early in his life, the family did move to a farm in this area. His father was a farmer, a lumber man and a stock breeder. He advised his son Robert to become a doctor. Instead, on graduating from Jamestown High School, Jackson

Sandra Day O’Connor
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Sandra Day O’Connor
Now, please sit. It’s too hot to stand up. This is the first time that john and i have been privileged to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. And it’s such a treat to be here today and to see this wonderful spot, the building and a bit of the program that is displayed here. I’m very excited about it. It’s simply lovely. And I’m sure it’s no surprise, if I say that as President Reagan’s first appointment to the Senate Supreme Court. The invitation to speak at his library was one that I very happily accepted. President Reagan instilled in this country of fresh pride in the principles that underlie our democratic system. He has always been a great champion of democracy. And as president he spoke often and forcefully about implementing our framers vision. He also pursued a vigorous and a successful foreign policy. Ronald Reagan held this country together through the last days of the Cold War. Through his resolute leadership, he paved the way for the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe. It is only fitting that a man of such great accomplishment should have this wonderful facility dedicated to the study of his legacy. scholars will no doubt come here to debate the significance of the Reagan era era for years to come. But at least in one respect, Ronald Reagan’s legacy is a more immediate significance.

One of the greatest opportunities that our president has to guide the future of the nation

Sandra Day O’Connor My wonderful colleague, Justice Ginsburg, and judge green and President Sabbath, and the other judges who were kind enough to be here tonight for this event. And all the distinguished guests who are here, including one of the two women on the Supreme Court of Israel, and half the membership of the most distinguished organization in the area, the male auxiliary of the United States Supreme Court. If you think I was happy when Justice Ginsburg was appointed, You Oughta Know how happy my husband was. Well, it’s a special treat to participate in this particular meeting of the women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia. And the foundation, as well. And to join you here tonight to honor my newest colleague, Justice Ginsburg. And to look out at this audience tonight, which includes so many distinguished women in the legal profession, gives me a sense of achievement and a change. When I first started to practice law in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1958, the women lawyers in that area would gather occasionally to have lunch with justice Laurin on Lockwood, the first woman to serve on the Arizona supreme Court, we could, and we did all fit around one round table for eight. But it was a start. And our numbers have multiplied in Arizona and across the land. I’m often asked whether it makes a difference that we have women judges, and whether the Justice dispensed by women judges is somehow different than that, that we would expect from men and answering such questions.

Sandra Day O’Connor I’m delighted to help open this second National Conference on court management. Over the next few days, you’re going to examine how to strengthen court management’s contribution to the performance of the American judicial system. The insights you gain here, combined with your strong implementation efforts, when you go home, will benefit all of us for years to come. People look at the American judicial system in many different ways. There’s considerable attention paid to the court on which I now sit, for better or for worse. But those who see the administration of justice and the United States only in terms of the work of the Supreme Court, only in terms of what some people call the broad and cutting issues of the law. Those people really have a very narrow focus on the American judicial system. I know as a former state court judge, that the amount of and the quality of justice in this country are determined and large measure by the day to day workings of our trial courts, far away from the Supreme Court and in fact, far away from most appellate courts generally. The great majority of cases filed in the courts of the United States are filed and are limited in specialized jurisdiction courts. Day in and day out, those courts and the general jurisdiction trial courts decide what contracts will be enforced, who will pay damages, who will be punished for criminal acts. The appellate courts day in and day out, review the trial courts work and refine the many elements