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Passing of the Gavel to the Honorable Barbara J. Pariente(Ceremony)


MARSHAL: PLEASE RISE . HEAR YE.HEAR YE.HEAR YE. THE SUPREME COURT OF THEGREAT STATE OF FLORIDA IS NOW IN SESSION. ALL WHO HAVE CAUSE TO PLEA , GIVE ATTENTION AND YOU SHALL BE HEARD . GOD SAVE THE UNITED STATES, THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDAAND THIS HONORABLE COURT. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT.

CHIEF JUSTICE: WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE REMAIN STANDING , WHILE WE HAVE THE PLEDGE OFAL EEJ ANTS LED BY FREDERICK PEARSON . FREDERICK. ALL : I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS , ONE NATION UNDER GOD , INDIVISIBLE , WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

MARSHAL: LEASE BE SEATED.

CHIEF JUSTICE: IT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE DONE THIS, SO EVERYBODY BEAR WITH ME . [GAVEL POUNDED THREE TIMES .] THIS COURT WILL COME TO ORDER. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO CALL ON DORIS NICOLE DAVIS FOR A READING.DORIS.

GOOD MORNING . I AM DORIS DAVIS . I AM A MENTEE OF CHIEF JUSTICE BARBARA PARIENTE. HOWEVER, I MUST SAY THAT I HAVE OVER EXHAUSTED MY PRIVILEGES AS A MENTEE . WE HAV E BEEN TOGETHER SO LONG. HOWEVER , THE ROLE OF AN MENTOR IS SO IMPORTANT , AND KATE DOUGLAS WHIGHAM BEST EXPRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORING, BY WRITING AMONG THE THOUSANDS OF TINY THINGS GROWING UP ALL OVER THE LAND , SOME OF THEM UNDER M Y VERY WING , WATCHED INTENDED , UNWATCHED AND UNTENDED , LOVED , UNLOVED , PROTECTED FROM DANGER , THRUST INTO TEMPTATION. AMONG THEM , SOMEWHERE IS THE CHILD WHO WILL WRITE THE NOVEL THAT WILL STIR MEN 'S HEARTS TO NOBLER ISSUES AND INSIGHT THEM TO BETTER DEEDS. THERE IS THE CHILD WHO WILL PAINT THE GREATEST PICTURE OR CARVE THE GREATEST STATUTE OF AGE. ANOTHER WHO WILL DELIVER HER COUNTRY IN AN HOUR OF PERIL. ANOTHER WHO WILL GIVE HER LIFE FOR A GREAT PRINCIPLE . AND ANOTHER , BORNE MORE OF THE SPIRIT THAN OF THE FLESH, WHO WILL LIVE CONTINUALLY ON THE HEIGHTS OF MORAL BEING AND , DYING , DRAW MEN AFTER HIM. IT MAY BE THAT I PRESERVE ONE OF THESE CHILDREN TO THE RACE. IT IS A PEG BIG ENOUGH ON WHICH TO HANG A HOPE , FOR EVERY CHILD BORN INTO THE WORLD, IS A NEW INCARNATETHOUGHT OF GOD IN AN EVER-FRESH RADIANT POSSIBILITY, AND I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY, TO SAY IF YOU WANT TO HONOR CHIEF JUSTICE PARIENTE , MENTOR A CHILD.THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] JUSTICE ANSTEAD : I NOTICE THAT GOVERNOR BUSH WAS APPLAUD ING EXUBERANTLY, AFTER THAT ONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WELCOME TO THE FLORIDASUPREME COURT ON THIS EXCITE EXCITING OCCASION.I WANT TO REMIND YOU ALL THAT THE PROCEEDINGS THIS MORNING , WHILE OF IMPORT , ARE CELEBRATION IN THEIR NATURE, AND YOU ALL ARE FREE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS, CHEER, APPLAUD OR LAUGH OR CRY, AS THE EMOTION MOVES YOU , AS I PASS THE MANTEL OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEADERSHIP OF FLORIDA'S JUSTICE SYSTEM, ON TO MY DEAR COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND , BARBARA PARIENTE. WITH MY LAST OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AS CHIEF JUSTICE , I WANT TO PAY TRIBUTE T O TWO GROUPS OF PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT HAVE SERVED FLORIDA CITIZENS WELL DURING M Y TENURE. FIRST , I WANT T O PAY TRIBUTE TO JUSTICE PARIENTE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY COURT STEERING COMMITTEE, WHICH SHE SO ABLY CHAIRED. I HAD HOPED T O FOCUS ON HELPING FLORIDA'S MOST TROUBLED CHILDREN , THOSE WE SEE IN OUR COURTS , DURING MY TENURE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE CRITICAL ISSUE OF COURT FUNDING , I HAD TO DELEGATE THIS R ESPONSIBILITY TO JUSTICE PARIENTE AND HER COMMITTEE . AND I WANT TO PUBLIC LY RECOGNIZE , TODAY , THE MAGNIFICENT JOB SHE AND HER COMMITTEE HAVE DONE , IN ENHANCING THE SERVICES ANDQUALITY OF CARE PROVIDED TO THOSE CHILDREN. WE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM KNOW THAT THERE IS A SILVER BULLET FOR FLORIDA'S SOCIAL ILLS, AND THAT SOCIAL BULLET IS THE WAY WE TAKE CARE O F OUR CHILDREN, ALL OF OURCHILDREN. THANK YOU , JUSTICE PARIENTE , FOR CARING ABOUT OURCHILDREN. [APPLAUSE] THE OTHER GROUP IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, I WOULD LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO , ARE FLORIDA'S TRIAL JUDGE S. HISTORY WILL RECORD THAT , WHEN THE RULE OF LAW AND FLORIDA'S JUSTICE SYSTEM FACED ITS MOST SERIOUS THREAT, FLORIDA'S TRIAL JUDGES CAME TOGETHER AND MET THE CHALLENGE. CLEARLY THESE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE CONSTITUTED THE FLORIDATRIAL JUDGE S' FINEST HOUR. AS PRESIDENT BUSH WORKS TIRELESSLY TO SPREAD THERULE OF LAW SUPPORTED BY AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AROUND THE WORLD , WE, HERE IN FLORIDA, ARE PROUD THAT , THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF OUR TRIAL JUDGES , THE PRESIDENTCAN POINT TO FLORIDA'S JUSTICE SYSTEM AS THE FINEST EXAMPLE OF THE RULE OF LAW IN OPERATION IN THE WORLD. THANK YOU , FLORIDA'S TRIAL JUDGES , WHEREVER YOU ARE. [APPLAUSE] AT THIS TIME , I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE KELLY OVERSTREET JOHNSON , THEPRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA BAR , FOR REMARKS. MS. JOHNSON : THANK YOU. MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT. CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD , CHIEF JUSTICE ELECT PARIENTE , MEMBERS OF THE COURT, GOVERNOR BUSH , LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JENNINGS. I AM GOING TO MISS SOMEBODY , I KNOW. SENATOR CAMPBELL , REPRESENTATIVE RUBIO , GENERAL CRIST , LADIES ANDGENTLEMEN. IT IS M Y DISTINCT HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY , TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CEREMONY , HAVING BEEN SWORN IN JUST A WEEK AGO TODAY , AS PRESIDENT , 56th PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA BAR . ON BEHALF OF THE FLORIDA BAR'S 75,000 MEMBERS , I WOULD SPECIFICALLY LIKE T O THANK , CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD, FOR YOUR HARD WORK OVER THESE LAST TWO YEARS, AND I WOULD, ALSO , LIKE TO PLEDGE TO INCOMING CHIEF JUSTICE PARIENTE , THE BAR IS BEHIND YOU AND LOOSE FORWARD T O WORKING WITH YOU DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS. JUSTICE ANSTEAD , YOU HAVE HAD A CHALLENGING BUT SUCCESSFUL TWO YEARS . THANK FOR YOU THE MANY OPPORTUNITIES YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THE FLORIDA BAR, TO WORK TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM . YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THE FUNDING OF OUR STATE COURTS WAS INVALUABLE . AND AS THE DAY-TO-DAY STEWARD OF THE SUPREME COURT , YOU WILL ALWAYS B E REMEMBERED FOR YOUR HONORAND YOUR SEVILLEITY. THANK YOU. JUSTICE PARIENTE , I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING WITH YOU AS CHIEF JUSTICE THIS NEXT YEAR.I HAVE NO DOUBT THA T WORKINGTOGETHER, WE WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH MANY OF YOURGOALS. AS A LOCAL LAWYER , I FIRST MET JUSTICE PARIENTE WHEN SHE WAS SWORN IN IN 1997 , AND I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WATCH HER AND CONSIDER HER A GREAT JURIST . I HAVE ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF GETTING TO MEET HER PERSONALLY. SHE IS SOMEONE I ADMIRE VERY MUCH . THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN A DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGINGYEAR FOR JUSTICE PARIENTE. SHE HAS HANDLED THESE CHALLENGES IN A VERY DIGNIFIED YET HUMBLE MANNER AND IS STRONGER FOR THOSE CHALLENGES . JUSTICE PARIENTE IS CLEARLY READY TO ASSUME HER ROLE AS CHIEF JUSTICE. INDEED, SHE HAS ALREADY METWITH ME AND WITH PRESIDENT-ELECT ALAN BOOKMAN, TO TALK WITH US ABOUT HERGOALS AS CHIEF JUSTICE AND HOW W E , AT THE BAR, CAN WORK TOGETHER. LIKE JUSTICE PARIENTE , THEFLORIDA BAR I S COMMITED TO BRINGING GREATER ACCESS T O THE COURTS FOR LOWER INCOME , DISABLED , ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN . WORKING WITH JUSTICE PARIENTE , THE FLORIDA BAR HOPES TO IDENTIFY PERMANENT SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES TO OUR CHILDREN, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE LEGISLATORS THAT ARE HERE TODAY AND GOVERNOR BUSH , FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE A SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE THAT IS CALLED "KIDS DESERVE JUSTICE", THAT WE HOPE WILL BE A CONTINUING SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR CHILDREN'S LEGAL SERVICES. WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU. THANK YOU. WE WILL ALSO ACCEPT JUSTICE PARIENTE'S CHALLENGE T O EMPHASIZE TRAINING FOR LAWYERS WHO ARE WILLING TO REPRESENT CHILDREN PRO BONO IN OUR COURTS. THESE ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT INITIATIVES BICHLT WORKING TOGETHER , W E -- INITIATIVES.BY WORKING TOGETHER, WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE THESE RESULTS. I RECENTLY WORKED WITH JUSTICE PARIENTE , AND NOWTHAT I HAVE CHILDREN MYSELF, IT MEANS EVEN MORE. SHE SAID , ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS HAD THAT YOU CAN TEACH YOUR CHILDREN IS HOW T O BE INDEPENDENT AND MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. ALL CHILDREN IN OUR STATE , NEED SUCH GUIDANCE . UNFORTUNATELY , MANY OF THEM WILL HAVE TO RECEIVE IT FROM SOMEONE OTHER THAN A PARENT . FLORIDA'S LEGAL PROFESSION , BY WORD , BY EXAMPLE, AND BY PRACTICE , CAN AND WILL PROVIDE THIS INSPIRATION AND LEADERSHIP . IT HAS BEEN MY PRIVILEGE TO BE A PART OF THIS CEREMONY. CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES AS CHIEF JUSTICE. [APPLAUSE] ,,JUSTICE ANSTEAD ez THANK YOU VERY MUCH.AT THIS TIME , I AM HONORED TO REPRESENT REPRESENTATIVE MARK YO RUBIO -- MARCO RUBIO FOR MARKS ON BEHALF OF THEFLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. REPRESENTATIVE RUBIO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH , CHIEF JUSTICE. I BEGIN WITH TWO APOLOGIES. I AM A LITTLE NERVOUS BECAUSE IT IS MY FIRST TIME BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT , AND UNLESS SOMETHING GOES WRONG OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS , IT WILL BE THE LAST. MY WRITTEN NOTES ARE WITH ME TODAY BUT SOMEONE ON THE SOUTHBOUND FLIGHT ON DELTA TO MIAMI IS GETTING A GREAT TUTORIAL ON THE HISTORY OF OUR - - [LAUGHTER] WITH THOSE DISCLAIMERS OUT OF THE WAY, I WANT T O RECOGNIZE MY COLLEAGUES , THAD ALTMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE JACK SEILER IN THE BACK. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AS WELL. IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG, DON'T REPEAT A THING. I D O WANT T O SAY A FEWTHINGS. THE FIRST IS , AS I STANDHERE TODAY BEFORE, IN THIS ROOM AND WITH EACH OF YOU, I AM STRUCK BY THE GREATEST OF THE AMERICAN SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT. MY PARENTS , THE LAND THEYWERE BORN IN , THERE IS NO COURT SUCH AS THESE OR ANY COURTS FOR THAT MATTERS , OF ANY TRUTH , THAN IS NOT UNIQUE TO THE LAND OF MY PARENTS' BIRTH. THE LAND OF SELF GOVERNANCE AND THE ABILITY TO BE A MINORITY AND RESULT IN MAJORITY IS UNIQUE IN HISTORY AND IS NOT AN ACCIDENT. I THINK IT IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO TWO THINGS , ONE THEDIRECTION OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THIS COUNTRY THAT CREATED A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES OF EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, T O ACTED UPON ONE ANOTHER TO PREVENT THEM FROM OPPRESS ING THE OTHER AND THE PEOPLE THERE. IS NO DENYING THE ROLE THAT THE HISTORY O F JUSTIES THAT HAS PLAYED IN AMERICAN HISTORY. SOME ACCOMPLISH MENTS WERE NOT CREATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH BUT BY THE JUDICIAL BRANCH AND I HOPE THAT WILL CONTINUE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THAT IS THE SECOND PART OF IT. IT IS NOT JUST WAY IT WASDESIGNED. MANY NATIONS HAVE DESIGNED CONSTITUTION S LIKE OURS BUT THEY HAVE FAILED BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN COMMITED TO ADHERE !!ING T O IT AND OUR SERIES OF CHECKS AND BALANCE S HAVE BEEN ADHERED TO THIS THIS VERY ROOM , IN THE YEAR 2000 CHALLENGED AGAIN AND WITHSTOOD POLITICAL FACTORS AS IT HAS FOR THESE SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AND IT HAS TO DO WITH THE COMMITMENT OF PEOPLE OF AMERICA AND THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA , TO A SYSTEM OF COEQUAL BRANCHES WORKING FOR THE GF THE PEOPLE. OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS YOU WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH REMARKABLE LEADERS, TOM BENSE IN THE HOUSE ANDTOM LEE IN THE SENATE . I AM HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO BE A LAWYER BUT THEY ARE NOT , AND I WILL TELL BECAUSETHEY ARE IS GUARDIANS , NOT ONLY OF THE STATE BUT O F THIS COURT AND I THINK YOU WILL FIND TWO MEN WHO WILL LEAD OUR LEGISLATURE AND OFTENTIMES WILL DISAGREE ON THE RESULTS THEY WILL REACH BUT NEVER DISAGREE ON THE RIGHTS TO REACH THEM. I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK AND CONGRATULATE YOU. THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA NEED AN HONEST AND WEISS SUPREMECOURT TO LEAD US AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT TWO , FOUR YEARS , GOD WILLING. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

JUSTICE ANSTEAD : THANK YOU , REPRESENTATIVE RUBIO . I AM NOT CERTAIN WHAT WERE IN YOUR NOTES , BUT I THINKYOU DID VERY WELL, AND WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SENATOR WALTER SKIP CAMPBELL, ONE OF OUR DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVANTS IN THE SENATE . SENATOR CAMPBELL , DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THOSENOTES? [LAUGHTER]

SENATOR CAMPBELL : I DON'T THINK I CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT, AND I HAVE SOME NOTES HERE THAT I PREPARED MYSELF , AND THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED TO ME AND , MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT , IS IT WAS MY PHONE THAT WENT OFF, AND I CAN TELL YOU IN A TRIALCOURT , THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A $50 FINE AND I WOULD HAVE LOST MY PHONE , SO I WANT TO THANK YOU .

JUSTICE PARIENTE : SEE US AFTERWARDS .

JUSTICE ANSTEAD : YOUBETTER BE CAREFUL OVER THERE . [LAUGHTER]

SENATOR CAMPBELL : I WILL GIVE IT TO THE GOVERNOR .

JUSTICE PARIENTE : BUT WE NEED THE $50. [APPLAUSE]

SENATOR CAMPBELL : YOU KNOW, IN MOST EVERYONE'S LIFE, THERE ARE MOMENTS OF PRIDE AND ACCOMPLISH MENTS THAT ARE REMEMBERED FOREVER , AND JUSTICE PARIENTE , I AM SURE THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST IN YOUR LIFE. I HAVE KNOWN JUSTICE PARIENTE SINCE 1974 , WHEN SHE WAS A LAW CLERK FOR THE LATE NORMAN RECOR , WHO WAS A FEDERAL JUDGE IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA , AND WHEN I WAS ASKED TO GIVE THIS LITTLE COMMENT TODAY , I THOUGHT I WOULD COME ANDGIVE YOU SOME FUNNY ANECDOTES ABOUT JUSTICE PARIENTE, SO I STARTED THINKING IS THERE ANYTHING FUNNY THAT I CAN REMEMBER ABOUT JUSTICE PARIENTE? [4R56 TE R [-- LAUGHTER ]

NOTHING CAME TO MY MIND. SO THEN I CALLED HER HUSBAND. AND I SAID , FRED , BECAUSE I HAVE KNOWN FRED FOR YEARS , AND I SAID , IS THERE ANYTHING FUNNY THAT I CAN TALK ABOUT YOUR WIFE ? AND HE SAYS , I AM NOT GOING TO STEP INTO THAT ONE . [LAUGHTER] SO THEN I CALLED SOME OF HER COLLEAGUES. I TRIED TO CALL JUDGE WARNER BUT I COULDN'T GET THROUGH TO HER. JUDGE KLEIN. COULDN'T GET THROUGH TO HIM , AND THEN I HAD MY AID CALL YOUR CLERKS, AND THEY WOULDN'T TELL US ANYTHING . SO I HAVE NOTHING FUN TOY REPORT TO YOU TODAY. BUT I DID WANT TO JOT DOWN SOME PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS THAT I HAVE MADE OVER THEYEARS , AS TO WHY THIS PRESTIGIOUS LADY OF THE LAW , HAS GOTTEN TO THIS POSITION TODAY . THROUGH THE YEARS , I HAVE NOTED THAT YOU HAVE SET GOALS , AND YOU HAVE MET EVERY CHALLENGE THAT HAS BEEN PLACED BEFORE YOU , WITH COURAGE AND DETERMINATION . THOSE ARE TWO VERY DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS THAT SHE GOING TO BRING TO THIS SUPREME COURT . AND YOU HAVE OVERCOME MANY OBSTACLES IN YOUR OWNPERSONAL LIFE , TO GET HERE , AND THAT I S SOMETHING WHICHI THINK ALL OF US HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE TO OVERCOME OUR PERSONAL OBSTACLES . YOUR SUCCESS SEEMS TO COMEFROM THE INSPIRATION THAT YOU GIVE T O PEOPLE AROUND YOU. BY THE WAY, YOU LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE , AND BY THE WAY YOUTREAT OTHERS, BECAUSE SHE TREATS OTHERS WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT . EVERYBODY WHO I HAVE EVER TALKED TO, HAS SAID BARBARA PARIENTE TREATS US WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. YOU ENCOURAGE OTHERS , AND YOU SUPPORT THEM WITH YOUR STRONG BELIEFS IN HONESTY , FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE . AND THIS IS SOMETHING YOUARE GOING TO BRING T O THIS COURT, ALONG WITH THE OTHER JUSTICES, BECAUSE I KNOW MOST OF THE JUSTICES HERE. THESE ARE IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS.I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE A MOTIVATED PERSON WHO TAKES CHANCES WHEN THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES. YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR OWN SELF, OR YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE. WHAT MOST COMES OF YOUR PERSON AN IS A STRONG SENSE OF PURPOSE , WHICH I KNOW WILL SHINE WHILE YOU SERVE AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF THIS GREAT SUPREME COURT . AND I KNOW YOU WON'T FAIL IN THAT PURPOSE , BECAUSE YOUHAVE NEVER , EVER CONSIDERED THE IDEA OF FAILING. THE PEOPLE IN TALLAHASSEE ARE ABOUT TO GET TO KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS A WINNER AT ALL TIMES . AND I AM TRULY IMPRESSED, THOUGH, THAT ONE THING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'TUNDERSTAND IS THAT YOU RESPECT AND UNDERSTAND YOUR WEAK NESSES . BUT YOU ALSO KNOW WHAT YOUR STRONG POINTS ARE , AND YOU USE THOSE STRONG POINTS FOR THAT PURPOSE. YOU CREATIVELY KNOW HOW TO DEFEND WHAT YOU ARE DOING , AND I AM SURE THAT YOU WILL SURVIVE THE CHALLENGES O F CHIEF JUSTICE. IN THE YEARS AHEAD , I WILL LOOK FORWARD T O HEARING ANDMAYBE BEING PART OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS , AS A SENATOR , AND PROBABLY TELLING EVERYONE THAT I KNOW, THAT I KNOW YOU. AND YOU ARE A FRIEND. YOU ARE A UNIQUE PERSON , AND ONLY YOU CAN DO WHATEVER I T TAKES TO FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS . SO LET YOUR SPIRIT LEAD YOU ON TO THE PATH OF EXCITEMENT AND FULFILLMENT AND KNOW THAT, BECAUSE YOU ARE A DETERMINED AND TALENTED PERSON , ANY DREAM THAT YOU HAVE CAN BECOME A REALITY . ON BEHALF OF THE FLORIDA SENATE , I WELCOME YOU AS OUR NEXT CHIEF JUSTICE O F THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT . OUR INCOMING PRESIDENT HAD A CONVERSATION WITH ME THIS WEEK, AND HE I S SORRY H E CAN'T BE HERE.HE WANTED TO PERSONALLY CONGRATULATE YOU BUT HE HAD A PERSONAL TRAGEDY IN HIS BUSINESS LIFE AND HIS FAMILY , AND HE ASKED M E TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT , AND HE LOOSE FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOUAND THE ENTIRE COURT , A S A COOPERATIVE THIRD BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, AND I CAN TELL YOU, FROM KNOWING TOM LEE , AND I KNOW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS WORKED WITH TOM, TOO , THAT THIS IS A COMMITMENT OF THE FLORIDASENATE AND THE LEGISLATURE. CONGRATULATIONS . KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK . AND LIVE THOSE DREAMS. [APPLAUSE]

JUSTICE ANSTEAD : WE DON'T TAKE CASH . [LAUGHTER]

JUSTICE PARIENTE : AND WE DON'T -- IT GOES INTO THE GENERAL REVENUE.

JUSTICE ANSTEAD : WE ARE HONORED TODAY TO HAVE FLORIDA'S DISTINGUISHEDATTORNEY GENERAL AND PUBLIC SERVANT WITH US , AND I WOULDLIKE T O RECOGNIZE NOW , ATTORNEY GENERAL CHARLIE CRIST FOR THE REMARKS . [APPLAUSE]

I DON'T HAVE MANY NOTES, BUT MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT. GOVERNOR BUSH. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JENNINGS. SENATOR. REPRESENTATIVES , JUSTICE S. I WANT TO THANK JUSTICE ANSTEAD , CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD , I GUESS, STILL, FOR YOUR HARD WORK, FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE IN FLORIDA.YOU HAVE DONE A SUPERLATIVE JOB. I THINK ALL OF US ARE AWARE OF THE EXTRAORDINARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE LADY THAT IS ABOUT TO BECOME THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. HER ACADEMIC , HER LEGAL AND HER JUDICIAL RECORDS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. THE THING I WANTED TO FOCUS ON BRIEFLY TODAY , DEALS WITH HER COURAGE. AND I MUST TELL YOU I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WALK WITH HER IN THE RACE FOR THE CURE IN WEST PALM BEACH , WHICH IS , I KNOW, HER HOME. BUT JUSTICE , THE COURAGEOUS WORK AND THE COURAGEOUS WAY THAT YOU FACED CANCER AND BEAT IT , IS AN EXAMPLE TO SO MANY, NOT ONLY IN FLORIDA BUT THROUGHOUT COUNTRY. YOU DID IT BOLDLY. YOU DID I T WITH TREMENDOUS COURAGE , TREMENDOUS CONVICTION , AND YOU KNOW , MOST OF US WHO FACE A SITUATION LIKE THAT , HAVE FAMILY THAT KIND OF SUPPORT TO TURN TO, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE WONDERFUL FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT ARE HERE TODAY , BUT THERE ARE WOMEN ALL OVER THE STATE AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT SOME LIVE ALONE AND FACE THE SAME KIND OF CHALLENGES THAT YOU DID , BUT BECAUSE OF YOUR INSPIRATION , BECAUSE OF YOUR COURAGE , THEY HAD SOMEONE THAT THEYCOULD LOOK TO, WHO ESSENTIALLY SAID IT WILL BE ALL RIGHT. [APPLAUSE] YOU SHOULDN'T CRY, MOM. I AM HONORED TO BE HERE. I AM HONORED TO BE HERE.I AM HONORED TO BE ASKED TO BE HERE. I LEAVE IT TO MY FRIEND NEXT TO THE GOVERNOR , BUT CHIEF JUSTICE , CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU. AS WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF AMERICA THIS WEEKEND, WE CELEBRATE YOU AS WELL. GOD BLESS YOU . [APPLAUSE]

JUSTICE ANSTEAD : NOW WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR , JEB BUSH . [APPLAUSE]

GOVERNOR BUSH: CHIEF JUSTICES AND JUSTICES ANDFRIENDS THAT ARE GATHERED HERE TODAY , IT IS AN HONOR FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND MYSELF TO BE HERE , REPRESENTING THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH. I WANT TO THANK GENERAL CRIST FOR THOSE KIND REMARKS , AND TO MY COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATURE, IT IS A JOY TO BE WITH YOU , AND THE THIRD BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, WE HAVEN'T BEEN TOGETHER HERE , AND AS MARCO SAID , PERHAPSTHAT IS A GOOD THING. IN ANY CASE, IT IS A JOY T O BE HERE. I WAS MOVED BY THE FIRST SPEAKER , WHO TALKED ABOUT BEING A MENTEE AND BEING INSPIRED BY JUSTICE PARIENTE , AND AS A MENTOR , I CAN TELL YOU THAT MENTORS LEARN A LOT MORE THAN MENTEES IN THAT RELATIONSHIP , AND I KNOW THAT CHIEF JUSTICE WOULD AGREE WITH THAT , AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY , LIKE SHE SAID, TO TAKE AN HOUR A WEEK WITH A CHILD. IT WILL ENHANCE YOUR LIFE IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS , AND JUSTICE PARIENTE, THANK YOU FOR BEING A MENTOR. IT TRULY MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE , THAT JUST ARELOOKING FOR A HUG OR A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT . IT MATTERS MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE , AND I JUST APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU CONSISTENTLY HAVE DONE THAT AND MADE LIFE BETTER FOR A WHOLE LOT O F PEOPLE. NOW , THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE , JUST SENATOR CAMPBELL, WHOBY THE WAY , THAT $50 THINGTHAT , IS NOTHING FOR HIM. HE HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN HIS LEGAL CAREER . [LAUGHTER] YOU SHOULD HAVE FIND HIMBASED ON INCOME, I THINK . [LAUGHTER]

MEANS TESTED. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT BETTER FOR THE GENERAL REVENUE. SENATOR CAMPBELL IS PROBABLY LISTENING T O ME TALK ABOUT MENTORING , AND HE IS HOPEFUL THAT CHIEF JUSTICE PARIENTE WILL ACTUALLY MENTOR ME! [LAUGHTER] WHICH I AM MORE THAN HAP' TO BE YOUR MENTEE. [APPLAUSE] AS WE KNOW THIS WEEING END MARKS -- THIS WEEKEND MARKS THE 228th ANNIVERSARY OF AN INCREDIBLY BOLD STEP IN OUR COUNTRY, AND WIL L CELEBRATENOT ONLY THE BIRTH OF A NATION BUT THE BEGINNING OF DEMOCRACY . WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN FOUNDED BY VISIONARY LEADERS WHO UNDERSTAND THAT GOVERNMENT WORKS BEST WHEN POWER IS SHARED AND RESPONSIBILITIES ARE DIVIDED AND, YES , THERE ARE FRICTIONS ALONG THE WAY. I HAVE BEEN A PARTICIPANT IN THOSE , A RESPECTFUL PARTICIPANT , BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THESE CHECKS AND BALANCE S CREATED BY THIS DIVISION OF POWERS, BE THE CORNERSTONE OF A SUCCESSFUL DEMOCRACY . FLORIDA IS BLESSED TO HAVE A LEGISLATURE AND A JUDICIARY WHO UNDERSTAND THIS PRINCIPLE AND WHO SHARE MY CONVICTION THAT WE RESPECT AND ABIDE BY OUR CONSTITUTIONAL DIVISION OF POWERS. CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD HAS BEEN A LOYAL STEWARD OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND HAS UPHELD THESE PRINCIPLES WITH INCREDIBLE INTEGRITY . I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE. YOU, TOO, HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN , WHICH I GREATLY ADMIRE , AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAD TO TURN BACK TOTHE MUNDANE ISSUES O F TRANSFORMING THE JUDICIARY , A SMALL FETE THAT I THINK YOU DID QUITE WELL , AND I APPRECIATE THE LEGISLATURE'S LEADERSHIP IN THAT REGARD AS WELL, TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE JUDICIARY , AND STARTING AS OF JULY 1 , WE HAVE A NEW SYSTEM FUNDED DIFFERENTLY , FUNDED MORE, THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD. WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE . [APPLAUSE] AND JUST LIKE WITH CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD , IN JUSTICE PARIENTE, FLORIDIANS WILL BE VERY WELL SERVED. IN HER, THEY WILL FIND A FIRM AND FIRE CHIEF JUSTICE , WHOSE FIRST COMMITMENT IS UPHOLDING THE LAW AND WHOSE DRIVING PASSION IS WORKING FOR ALL FLORIDIANS , PARTICULARLY OUR CHILDREN. I KNOW THAT , UNDER HER LEADERSHIP, FLORIDA'SCHILDREN AND FAMILIES WILL BE PARTICULARLY WELL-SERVED. SHE IS A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT WHO LEADS BY EXAMPLE ANDWORKS HARD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BOTH ON THE BENCH AND IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE THIS COURTROOM. FLORIDA IS FORTUNATE NATIONAL TO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF HER DEDICATION TO JUSTICE AND HER PASSION FOR SERVICE. I AM CONFIDENT THAT SHE WILL WIELD THE GAVEL WITH THE HONOR AND INTEGRITY BEFITTING HER ROLE AND THAT SHE IS WIDELY KNOWN FOR. JUSTICE PARIENTE, I CONGRATULATE YOU AND WISH YOU WELL , AS YOU TAKE OVER THE HIGHEST COURT IN OUR STATE AS CHIEF JUSTICE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

JUSTICE ANSTEAD : THANK YOU, GOVERNOR , FOR BEING HERE AND FOR THOSE REMARKS . AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE A FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE FLORIDASUPREME COURT, ONE OF OUR DEAR COLLEAGUES , JUSTICE MAJOR B. HARDING . JUSTICE HARDING. [APPLAUSE]

JUSTICE HARDING : MAY ITPLEASE THE COURT. WOW. THIS IS A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD , MEMBERS OF THE COURT , AND ESPECIALLY MY FRIEND BARBARA. GOVERNOR BUSH, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JENNINGS , ATTORNEY GENERAL CRIST , SENATOR CAMPBELL , REPRESENTATIVE RUBIO , AND BAR PRESIDENT KELLY OVERSTREET JOHNSON , DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND FRIENDS . IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE TO SERVEON THE BENCH OF FLORIDA FOR 34 YEARS BEFORE M Y RETIREMENT IN 2002. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE ELEVEN OF THOSE YEARS HERE IN THIS COURTROOM , AND ALTHOUGH THESE SURROUNDINGS BECAME COMFORTABLE AND FAMILIAR DURING THOSE YEARS , EACH TIME WE ASSEMBLED HERE TO CONSIDER THE ISSUES BROUGHTTO THE COURT , I WAS STRUCK WITH A SENSE OF A H , A SENSE OF WONDERED -- A SENSE OF AWE , A SENSE O F WONDER , AND IT WAS THAT SAME WONDER THAT I EXPERIENCED WHEN WE ASSEMBLED IN THE LEGISLATURE , TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR 'S ADDRESS , AND HERE IN THIS COURTROOM , TODAY , REPRESENTATIVES OF THE THREE BRANCHES O F GOVERNMENT , ARE , AGAIN , ASSEMBLED , AND I THINK IT I S IN TESTIMONY TO THE MIRACLE ACCOMPLISHED IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1787. WHEN OUR FOUNDERS CRAFTED THAT REMARKABLE DOCUMENT WE KNOW AS THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. REPRESENTATIVE RUBIO, I FOUND YOUR NOTES AND I AM USING THEM [LAUGHTER] DESPITE WARS , DEPRESSION , CIVIL UNREST AND EVEN HOTLY CONTESTED PRESIDENTAL ELECTIONS , OUR FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES REMAIN PRESERVED AND INTACT . AND THEY DO THAT BECAUSE THE EXECUTIVE, THE LEGISLATIVE , AND THE JUDICIAL BRANCHES CREATED BY THAT CONSTITUTION AND THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE STATES THAT HAVE MODELEDAFTER THAT , THOSE HAVE , THOSE PEOPLE HAVE EXERCISED THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, THE KPEX AND THE BALANCES -- THE CHECKS, AND THE BALANCES ENVISIONED BY OUR FOUNDERS, AND WE SHOULD GIVE THANKS THAT THE DIVINE SOVEREIGN WHO GUIDED OUR FOUNDERS HAS PLACED PEOPLE AND POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP OVER THE YEARS , WHO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK OUT THE GIFT OF CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE. IT WAS MY PRIVILEGE TO BE THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO SWEAR GOVERNOR BUSH I N TO HIS FIRST TERM AS GOVERNOR, AND IT WAS A MIGHTY COLD DAY . I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH HIM AND NOW LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JENNINGS, WHO WAS PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE JOHN THRASHER. I WAS , I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT WE ACHIEVED MANY SUCCESSES AND HOPEFULLY , BECAUSE WE SOUGHT THE COMMON GOOD , THE SAME IS TRUE OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE AND THOSE WHO HAVE FOLLOWED . IN NOVEMBER , AFTER I BECAME CHIEF JUSTICE , THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE MANDATED THAT THE COURT SYSTEM, BY JULY 1 , 2004 , BE FUNDED BY THE STATE. IT SEEMED LIKE A LONG TIME AGO , AND THAT IT WAS A LONG WAY OFF , BUT IT BECAME A REALITY YESTERDAY . THIS WAS A MONUMENTAL TASK, AND IT WAS ACHIEVED BY THE COOPERATIVE EFFORTS OF ALLOF THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND THE EXECUTIVE , THE LEGISLATIVE , AND THE JUDICIAL BRANCHES , FOR FULFILLING THE MANDATE THEY ORDERED AND FOR DOING IT SO WELL. BUT TODAY WE ARE IN COURT, AND IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT WE CELEBRATE JUDGES , ANDCHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD , YOU HAVE BEEN CHIEF JUSTICEDURING ONE OF THE MOST MOMENTOUS TIMES IN THE COURT'S HISTORY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN STAYING THE COURSE , ANDWITH THE COOPERATION OF THE OTHER BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, ACHIEVING THE GOAL . BUT OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE HERE TODAY IS TO CELEBRATE THE ELEVATION OF JUSTICE BARBARA PARIENTE TO THE OFFICE OF CHIEF JUSTICE, AND IT IS MY PRIVILEGE TO COMMEND HER TO THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES , THE COURT COMMUNITY AND THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE , HAS A TIRELESS WORKER WHO WILL ADVOCATE STRONGLY FOR THECOURTS , DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS. BEFORE SHE BECAME A JUDGE I N 1993 , AT THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL , SHE WAS ACTIVE IN BAR AND COMMUNITY-RELATED ACTIVITIES FOR WHICH SHE RECEIVED NUMEROUS AWARDS AND VERY MUCH RECOGNITION . AND AS A JUDGE , ON THAT COURT AND ON THIS , SHE HAS CHAMPIONED PROGRAMS FOR RESTORETIVE JUSTICE , FOR TREATMENT-BASED DRUG COURTS,FOR CHILDREN AND FOR FAMILY COURTS. SHE HAS BEEN A MENTOR TO SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN , AND WE WORKED HERE AT THE COURT TOGETHER, T O ESTABLISH A PROGRAM BASED ON THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR GOVERNOR, TO ENCOURAGE COURT STAFF T O MENTOR SCHOOL-AGED KIDS. JANE AND I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF DOING THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AT COBB MIDDLE SCHOOL. WHILE SHE DOES HAVE A ZEAL FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES , SHE ALSO HAS A PASSION FORTHE COURTS IN GENERAL AND WANTS TO ENSURE THAT THEY OPERATE EFFICIENT LY AND EFFECTIVELY. AND IT SHOULD NOT GO WITHOUT MENTIONING THAT LAST WEEK, IN RECOGNITION OF THAT EFFORT, SHE RECEIVED THE COVETED AND DISTINGUISHED 2004 WILLIAM HOOVLER JUDICIAL PROFESSIONISM AWARD FOR HER EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION. WHILE SHE IS KNOWN AS A SUPPORTER OF GOOD CAUSE , SHEIS ALSO A WONDERFUL COLLEAGUE , WHO IS EQUALLYPASSIONATE TO REACH OUT TO THOSE WITH WHOM SHE WORKS, TO BUILD A CONSENSUS . I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING IN THE OFFICE NEXT TO HER WHILE I WAS ON THE COURT , AND THERE WERE MANY VISITS BACK AND FOURTH , SHARING FLOP AND DISCUSSING THE -- SHARING FELLOWSHIP AND DISCUSSING ISSUES OF THEDAY. THERE WAS NEVER A TIME WHEN ANY DIFFERENCE WAS ALLOWED TO MARCH THE MUTUAL RESPECTAND FRIENDSHIP WE SHARED FOR EACH OTHER. WE SHARED A COLLEGIAL RELATIONSHIP. I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE IT. YOU KNOW , IT HAS ALSO BEEN AJOY TO GET T O KNOW HERFAMILY. I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF KNOWING HER MOTHER , HER SON JOSH, AND HER HUSBAND FRED , AND IT HAS BEEN A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HER AND HER FAMILY. TO THOSE IN THE EXECUTIVE AND TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES , I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT SHE WILL SEEK TO ESTABLISH A SIMILAR COLLEGIAL RELATIONSHIP SHIP IF SHE DEALS WITH YOU ON BEHALF OF THE JUDICIARY OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. SHE WILL LISTEN TO YOU. SHE WILL BE PREPARED. SHE IS KNOWN TO DO HER HOMEWORK. BUT MOST OF ALL , SHE WILL REACH OUT WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY . SHE WILL UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS THAT YOU EXPRESS , AND WITH A HEARTFELT DESIRE, SEEK TO BUILD BRIDGES OF CONSENSUS , RATHER THAN DRAW LINES OF DIVISION. JUSTICE PARIENTE, YOU HAVE LIVED A LIFE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS. IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THAT SERVICE IN WAYS THAT YOU HAVE NEVER KNOWN BEFORE . AS CHIEF JUSTICE , YOU ARE THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF THE COURT SYSTEM , AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE WILL LOOK TO YOU FOR LEADERSHIP IN THAT ROLE. THE JUDGES , THE STAFF , AND ALL THE EMPLOYEES OF THE COURT SYSTEM IN FLORIDA , WILL LOOK TO YOU FOR GUIDANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT. BUT MOST OF ALL , THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA WILL LOOK TO YOU, T O PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR A COURT SYSTEM THAT PROTECTS THEIR LIBERTIES , ADD JUDD INDICATES THEIR DISPUTES , AND ENSURES THEIR FREEDOMS. MY PRAYER FOR YOU IS THAT YOU WILL DISCHARGE THOSE DUTIES WITH THE SAME GRACE , COMPASSION , ADVOCACY , AND CONSENSUS BUILDING EFFORTS THAT HAVE ENDEARED YOU TO JANE AND ME OVER THE YEARS. IT IS MY PRAYER THAT YOU WILL HAVE A SENSE OF PEACE THAT COMES FROM THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ARE DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS . I ALSO ENTREAT YOU TO FOLLOW THE CHARGE OF THE PROPHET MICA , TO DO JUSTLY, T O LOVE MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD , AND IF YOU DO , WHEN YOUR TIME AS CHIEF JUSTICE IS OVER , I KNOW THAT YOU WILL LOOK BACK OVER THESE TWO YEARS WITH A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISH MENT AND PRIDE THAT YOUED IN HAVE BEEN A GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT . SO IT IS , CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD, WITH PLEASURE THAT I PRESENT BARBARA JOAN PARIENTE, FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT. [APPLAUSE [.

JUSTICE ANSTEAD : THANKYOU , JUSTICE HARDING. A LOT OF THE SPEAKERS HAVE SPOKEN TO THE HISTORY BEINGMADE IN THE COURTROOM TODAY. WE ARE VERY PRIVILEGED AND HONORED TODAY, TO HAVE THE FIRST WOMAN CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT , BACK AT THE COURT TODAY, IN ORDER TO ADMINISTER THE OATH TO THE SECOND WOMAN CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE FLORIDASUPREME COURT . LADIES AND GENTLEMEN , JUDGE ROSEMARY BARKETT . [APPLAUSE]

JUSTICE BARKETT : THANK YOU