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 . THANK YOU . I AM NOT LISTED A S A FORMAL SPEAKER , BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A COUPLE O F THINGS. I FEEL LIKE I AM UNIQUE LY QUALIFIED T O SPEAK AT ANY EVENT HONORING OR RECOGNIZING BARBARA. I FEEL LIKE I AM HER CHRONIC LETTER, AS IT WERE. I SAID -- HER CHRONICER, AS IT WERE. I DID MISS JOSH'S BIRTH , BUT OTHER THAN THAT , I THINK IHAVE BEEN PRESENT AT EVERY MAJOR MILE OWN? BARBARA'S LIFE. WE HAVE TRIED MAJOR CASES AGAINST EACH OTHER. I HAVE BEEN HER DO SO AISLE CLIENT. -- HER DOCILE CLIENT . [LAUGHTER] I MARRIED HER AND FREDDIE SWORE HER INTO THE FOURTH DISTRICT. I THINK, AND EVEN I KNOW I WAS EVEN IN THE HOSPITAL WHEN BARBARA WAS IN THE HOSPITAL, IF YOU REMEMBER. FUNNY STORY THERE BUT I WON'T GO INTO IT. IN SHORT, I THINK I HAVE SEEN BARBARA IN A MILLION DIFFERENT CONTEXTS AND UNDER A MILLION DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. I FEEL LIKE IMPART OF HER FAMILY , AND SHE AND FRED , WHOM I LOVE DEARLY, AND SUSAN AND MILDRED AND THEIR FAMILIES, ARE PART OF MINE AS WELL , SO ON A FAMILY LEVEL , I AM VERY PROUD AND VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE, AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO BARBARA AND TO THE COURT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH , FOR LETTING ME PARTICIPATE IN THIS VERY SPECIAL WAY IN THIS KBRAET EVENT . IT, ALSO , LET'S -- IN THIS GREAT EVENT. IT ALSO LET'S ME RETURN , HOWEVER , TO M Y OTHER FAMILY,MY COURT FAMILY, TO THE JUSTICES WHOM I SEE HERE , WHOM I LOVED, AND THEWONDERFUL PEOPLE WITHIN THE COURT WITH WHOM I WORKED, AND THE PRESENT JUSTICES , WHO ARE ALSO PART OF MY EXTENDED FAMILY, BY VIRTUE OF THIS VERY UNIQUE EXTENSION THAT GOES ON FOR ALL OF US WHO HAVE SERVED O N THIS , LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE SERVED ON THIS COURT , AND THE COMING TOGETHER OF THIS COMBINATION IS REALLY PRETTY OVERWHELMING FOR ME , TO PARTICIPATE IN A CEREMONY THAT PASSES THE GAVEL FROM HARRY ANSTEAD , WHOM I ADMIRED SO MUCH , THAT AT THE TIME WE WERE BOTH BEINGCONSIDERED FOR THE APPOINTMENT THAT I RECEIVED, I TOLD THE GOVERNOR THAT HE SHOULD APPOINT HARTOY THIS POST, BECAUSE I BELIEVED HE WAS UNIQUE LY QUALIFIED TO BE ON THIS SUPREME COURT OF THESTATE OF FLORIDA . I STARTED THESE COMMENTS BY TRYING TO ESTABLISH M Y CREDENTIALS AS IT WERE AS AN EXPERT WITNESS , TO SPEAK ABOUT BARBARA. I WOULD ECOEVERYTHING THAT EVERYONE HAS SAID HERE -- I WOULD ECHO EVERYTHING THAT EVERYONE HERE HAS SAID ABOUT HER HERE TODAY , BUT I WOULD ALSO TELL THAT YOU BARBARA HAS A UNIQUE GIFT TO EMBRACE EVERYONE WITH LOVE, AND WHEN I SAY EVERYONE , IT MEANS NOT JUST PEOPLE THAT SHE HAS IN HER OWN FAMILY AND HER EX-TENDED FAMILY THAT I SEE OUT THERE , BUT IT MEANS ALLOF US AND ALL OF YOU AND EVERYONE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THAT IS WHETHER YOU WANT TO BE EMBRACED BY HER LOVE OR NOT . [LAUGHTER] ONCE YOU EMBRACE THE CONCEPTOF JUSTICE AND THE CONCEPT OF THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THE JUDICIARY AND WHAT ITS ROLE IS IN THIS GOVERNMENT , I DON'T THINK THAT YOU CAN BE UNSUCCESSFUL . FRED AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT EXTRAVAGANZA TODAY, AND HE SAID EVERY EVENT IN BARBARA 'S LIFE IS A CELEBRATION. LIFE IS A CELEBRATION FOR BARBARA , AND I PROPOSE TO YOU THAT YOU WILL SEE THAT , DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS , LIFE IS GOING TO BE A CELEBRATION FOR ALL OF YOU AS WELL. BARBARA , I LOVE THAT YOU ASKED ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH , JUSTICES, FOR LETTING ME PARTICIPATE.IT MEANS A LOT TO ME. [APPLAUSE]

JUSTICE ANSTEAD : WHILE I STILL HAVE THE AUTHORITY OF CHIEF JUSTICE , I NOW DIRECT JUSTICE BARBARA PARIENTE TO PLEASE DESCEND TO THE WELL AND HAVE THE OATH OF OFFICE OF CHIEF JUSTICE OF THESTATE OF FLORIDA ADMINISTERED TO YOU BY JUDGE BARKETT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ASK FRED HAZOURI , HER HUSBAND , TO PLEASE CARE THE BIBLE OVER AND HOL D THAT FOR HER WHILE SHE TAKES THE OATH AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF FLORIDA.

JUSTICE BARKETT : I DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA , THAT I AM DULY QUALIFIED TO HOLD OFFICE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE AND THAT I WILL WELL AND ABLY AND FAITHFULLY PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE O F CHIEF JUSTICE ON WHICH I AM NOW ABOUT TO ENTER SO HELP M E GOD . [APPLAUSE]

MARSHAL: HEAR YE. HEAR YE.HEAR YE. THE SUPREME COURT OF THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA IS NOW IN SESSION . THE HONORABLE CHIEF JUSTICE BARBARA PARIENTE PRESIDING . ALL WHO HAVE CAUSE TO PLEA , DRAW NEAR , GIVE ATTENTION AND YOU SHALL BE HEARD. GOD SAVE THESE UNITED STATES , THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA AND THIS HONORABLE COURT.

CHIEF JUSTICE: YOU MAY BE SEATED . [APPLAUSE] NOT WITHOUT A HITCH. WAIT A SECOND . WELL , THE PERSPECTIVE DOES LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT , AND GOVERNOR , WE DID A VERY GOOD JOB OF COVERING THE IS SMUDGE, BECAUSE WE HAVE STANDING ROOM ONLY TODAY SO YOU CANNOT SEE THE SMUDGE. THAT IS A INSIDE JOKE, BUT WE WON'T TALK ABOUT IT . AS MY FIRST OFFICIAL ACT, I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO SHARE MY REMARKS , FIRST , THIS IS NOT THE FIRST, LAST TIME YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME TODAY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD , BECAUSE TODAY IS REALLY NOT ABOUT ANY ONE INDIVIDUAL BUT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OFFICE OF CHIEF JUSTICE. THE GAVEL THAT WE HAVE PASSED IS A SYMBOL OF TRUST , PASSED FROM ONE COLLEAGUE TO ANOTHER , SO I WOULD LIKE TO SPEND THE NEXT FEW MINUTES , TALKING ABOUT MY COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND , OUR OUTGOING CHIEF JUSTICE HARRY LEE ANSTEAD . EQUAL LAWS PROTECTING EQUAL RIGHTS, THE BEST GUARANTEE OF LOYALTY AND LOVE OF COUNTRY. SO WROTE JAMES MADISON IN 1820. IN 1995 , ANOTHER GREAT AMERICAN PATRIOT GAVE US THESE WORDS . THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLE UPON WHICH THIS NATION WAS ESTABLISHED , IS THAT ALL PERSONS WERE INITIALLY CREATED EQUAL AND ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE THEIR INDIVIDUAL HUMAN DIGNITY RESPECTED . IT IS NOT BY CHANCE THAT THE WORDS "EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW" HAVE BEEN PLACED FOR ALL TO SEE ABOVE THE ENTRANCE TO THIS NATION'S HIGHEST COURT. IF WE ARE TO EXPECT OUR CITIZENS TO TREAT ONE ANOTHER WITH EQUAL DIGNITY AND RESPECT , THE JUSTICE SYSTEM MUST SERVE AS THE GREAT EXAMPLE OF MAINTAINING THAT STANDARD. SO WROTE JUSTICE ANSTEAD IN 1995, FOR AN UNANIMOUS COURT , CONDEMN ING RACIAL PREJUDICE IN OUR COURTS. HARRY LEE ANSTEAD HAS DEVOTED HIS JUDICIAL CAREER OF OVER 25 YEARS , I N PURSUIT OF THESE GOALS OF EQUALITY UNDER THE LAW AND HUMAN DIGNITY . IN BOTH THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL AND IN THIS COURT , HE HAS BEEN A PASSIONATE VOICE FOR THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS WE ALL ENJOY AS AMERICANS AND FLORIDIANS. SOMETIMES HE HAS SPOKEN AS A LONE VOICE. SOMETIMES HE HAS LED A CHORUS OF TWO OR THREE , BUT OFTEN HE HAS SPOKEN FOR THE ENTIRE COURT, AND ALWAYS , ALWAYS HE HAS BEEN UNWAVERING AND ADHERING T O THE CORE PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED.IN ADDITION TO ADDRESSING THE ISSUES BEFORE THE COURT , AND WE HAD A CELEBRATION FOR REVISION 7 YESTERDAY , BUT I N ADDITION TO ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES , WITH SUCH PASSION AND DEDICATION , H E HAS BEEN THE STEWARD OF OUR STATE COURTS DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS IN THIS MONUMENTAL EFFORT TO STATE FUNDING UNDER REVISION 7. HE PROVIDED THE ENTIRE STATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM STELLAR AND RESOLUTE LEADERSHIP, AT A CRITICAL TIME IN THE HISTORYOF OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM. JUSTICE ANSTEAD , YOUR COLLEAGUES ON THIS COURT , ASWELL AS THE ENTIRE STATE , OWE AWE TREMENDOUS DEBT OF GRATITUDE, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT . [APPLAUSE] WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT HUMAN DIGNITY, AND AMONG THE ACHIEVEMENTS THAT JUSTICE ANSTEAD CAN POINT TO WITH GREAT SATISFACTION , IS HIS SUCCESS IN CREATING A PERMANENT PROFESSIONISM CENTER AT THE FLORIDA BAR AND PLACING PROFESSIONISM , THAT IS HOW WE TREAT ONE ANOTHER , AT THE FOREFRONT OF ISSUES FACING LAWYERS . IN DADE , MANY CONSIDERED JUSTICE ANSTEAD TO BE THE FATHER OF PROFESSIONISM IN FLORIDA.BUT JUSTICE ANSTEAD , WE WHOKNOW YOU WELL KNOW YOUR GREATEST PRIDE IS BEING THE FATHER OF FIVE REMARKABLE CHILDREN AND YOUR GREATEST JOY , BEING A GRANDFATHER TO FOUR WONDERFUL GRANDCHILDREN , INCLUDING THOSE TWO ADORABLE TWINS , AND A SPOUSE TO A REMARKABLE INDIVIDUAL IN HER OWN RIGHT , SUE ANSTEAD, WHO AS A LAWYER HAS ALSO DEVOTED HER P ROFESSIONAL LIFE TO ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN AND PROGRAMS THAT TRULY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THOSE ADJUDICATED DELINQUENTS, SUCH AS THE TALLAHASSEE MARINE INSTITUTE.IN FACT , ALONG WITH SUE , JUSTICE ANSTEAD HAS BEEN MENTIONED AND MYSELF , SHARE A PASSION FOR CHILDREN , NOT JUST OUR OWN , BUT ALSO SOCIETY 'S ABUSED , NEGLECTED AND ABANDONED , WHO HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THE TRUST OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. THE DECISIONS REGARDING THOSE CHILDREN , AS JUSTICE ANSTEAD HAS OFTEN SAID, ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMPLEX AND IMPORTANT D ECISIONS THAT WE,IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH , CAN MAKE. FLORIDA'S OFTEN REPEATED PLEDGE THAT OUR CHILDREN COME FIRST, CANNOT RING HOLLOW IN , OF ALL CASES AND PLACES IN OUR HALLS OF JUSTICE , AND FROM A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE , JUSTICE ANSTEAD HAS LED THE WAY FOR ME AS A JUDGE, FIRST ON THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL THEN ON THIS COURT. NOW AS CHIEF JUSTICE. IT OCCURS TO ME THAT IT MAY LOOK LIKE I AM FOLLOWING HIM AROUND, BUT WHAT GREAT FOOTSTEPS TO BE FOLLOWING IN. ON THE VERY FIRST DAY THAT I BEGAN AT THE FOURTH DISTRICT , JUSTICE ANSTEAD , WHO BY THEN WAS A VETERAN JUDGE OF OVER 15 YEARS , WELCOMED ME WITH OPEN ARMS. HE SAT ME DOWN , AND HE GAVE ME A COMPLETE OVERVIEW OF THE JUDICIAL PROCESS IN GREAT DETAIL , INCLUDING ITS HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE , ANDIT WAS A VERY DETAILED ORIENTATION . [LAUGHTER] BUT HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT HIS DOOR WAS ALWAYS OPEN AND IT WAS. HARRY , YOU HAVE ALWAYS MADE ME FEEL SO SPECIAL, BUT WHAT MARKS YOU A S AN EXTRAORDINARY HUMAN BEING , IS HOW YOU TREAT EVERYONE YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH, WITH THE GREATEST RESPECT AND DIGNITY AND TO WATCH YOU LISTEN, THAT YOU ALWAYS TAKE TIME TO LISTEN AND MAKE IT CLEAR HOW MUCH YOU CARE ABOUT OTHERS. SO WHEN THAT QUALITY WAS ASCRIBED TO ME , I HAVE TO SAY THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WATCH YOU , AND I HAVE ADMIRED YOU AND I HAVE LEARNED FROM YOU IN THAT REGARD. YOU ARE A BRILLIANT WRITER. YOU ARE A TIRELESS WORKER, AND YOU ARE A PASSIONATE AND COURAGEOUS ADVOCATE . FOR THESE QUALITIES AND YOUR LEADERSHIP DURING TURBULENT TIMES, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT YOU WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS ONE OF FLORIDA'S GREATEST CHIEF JUSTICES . THANK YOU [APPLAUSE] I NOW WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MY COLLEAGUE , JUSTICE PEGGY QUINCE , FOR SOME REMARKS .

JUSTICE QUINCE : MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT. INTERESTING . [LAUGHTER] I WAS BOTH PLEASED AND HONORED , WHEN MY FRIEND AND MY COLLEAGUE , JUSTICE PARIENTE, ASKED ME TO BE APART OF THIS SPECIAL AND HISTORIC PASS THE GAVEL CEREMONY, BUT YOU KNOW , I WAS, ALSO, FILLED WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TREPIDATION , BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE THAT I CAN ADEQUATELY CONVEY TO YOU WHAT A GOOD AND DECENT PERSON SHE IS AND HOW MUCH HER FRIENDSHIP MEANS TO ME. BUT ON THE OTHER HAND , I HAVE LOOKED FORWARD TO THIS DAY, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT JUSTICE PARIENTE WILL AND GREAT AND OUTSTAND ING CHIEFJUSTICE. SHE WILL BRING TO THAT OFFICE, THE SAME THOROUGHNESS AND BOUND LESS ENERGY THAT SHE HAS BROUGHTTO BEING A JUSTICE , A WIFE , A MOTHER , A DAUGHTER , A FRIEND . AND THE SAME BOUND LESS ENERGY AND DETERMINATION THAT SHE BROUGHT WHEN SHE WAS FIGHTING HER BATTLE WITH CANCER. YOU KNOW HER AS A HARDWORKING JUSTICE, AND YOU KNOW SHE WILL GET INVOLVED IN EVERY ASPECT AND DETAIL OF A CASE. SHE WILL BRING THAT ENERGY TO BEAR TO THE OFFICE OF CHIEF JUSTICE. BUT MANY OF YOU MAY NOT KNOW THE WARM AND GIVING SIDE OF JUSTICE PARIENTE . SHE IS A FRIEND IN A MILLION . I MET HER ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO , NOT A LONG TIME COMPARED TO OTHERS WHO KNOW HER. WE MET WHEN SHE WAS ON THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL, AND I WAS ON THE SECOND DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL. AND IT IS REALLY AMAZINGTHAT WE NEVER MET IN WASHINGTON, D.C. , BECAUSE WE WERE BOTH THERE AT THE SAME TIME. SHE WAS AT LAW SCHOOL AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, AND I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL AT THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY. BUT W E MET AT THE , AS DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL JUDGES , AND W E MEET AT VARIOUS JUDGE CONFERENCES , AND WE MADE A CONNECTION , AND THROUGH THAT CONNECTION , SHE INVITED ME TO JOIN HER AND JUDGE WARNER O N THEIR POWER WALKS . SHE IS A REAL FITNESS PERSON. WELL , I AM NOT A GREAT ATHLETIC TYPE, BUT I USUALLY CAN HOLD MY OWN , BUT AFTER WALKING WITH BARBARA AND MARTHA , I FELT LIKE I HAD CLIMBED A MOUNTAIN, AND I DECIDED I WAS MUCH TOO BISFOY ANYMORE WALKS WITH THEM. -- BUSY , FOR ANYMORE WALKSWITH THEM , BUT THAT DID NOT DETER JUSTICE PARIENTE. WHEN I GOT HERE TO THE COURT, AS SHE WAS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT GOING TO THE GYM AND FITNESS AND I FOUND ONE EXCUSE AFTER THE OTHER NOT TO GO, BUT FINALLY I DID HAVE TO SUCCUMB AND I STARTED GOING DOWN TO EXERCISE, DOWN ON THE SUBBASEMENT OF THIS COURT, SO JUST DEMONSTRATES TO ME THAT SHE WAS REALLY INTERESTED IN ME AS A PERSON AND MY FITNESS AND HEALTH AND WELL-BEING , AND FOR THAT I THANK YOU. AND TO THIS DATE , I STILL TRY TO GET SOME EXERCISE IN. WHEN I WAS APPOINTED TO THIS COURT , JUSTICE PARIENTE CALLED ME IN TAMPA ANDOFFERED ME THE HOSPITALITY OF HER HOME , AND I TOOK HER UP ON THAT OFFER AND LIVEDWITH HER FOR A MONTH. IT WAS AN ARRANGEMENT THAT PROBABLY WENT REALLY WELL , BECAUSE WE KIND OF KEPT DIFFERENT HOURS. I WAS THE EARLY MORNING PERSON. I WOULD TRY TO GET TO THE OFFICE BETWEEN 6:30 ANDSEVEN O'CLOCK, AND SHE WAS A LITTLE LATER THAN THAT , AND SO WHEN SHE WAS REALLY REFEDUP, I WAS READY TO COME HOME . SO IT WORKED OUT REALLY WELL. BUT WE TRIED , DURING THOSE TIMES, TO AT LEAST HAVE SOME MEALS TOGETHER AND SPEAKING OF MEALS , NOW , I WAS USED TO , IN TAMPA , MY HUSBAND , WHO IS ALSO A FRED BIRX THE WAY , AS A GREAT COOK , AND I GAVE HIM EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE HIS TALENT . [LAUGHTER] AND NEEDLESS TO SAY , I DON'TLIKE TO COOK, AND I TRY NOT TO COOK, AND JUSTICE PARIENTE THE SAME . SO I LOOKED IN HER REFRIGERATOR , WHEN I MOVED TO HER HOUSE , AND MUCH TO M Y SURPRISE, THE ONLY THINGS I COULD FIND IN THERE WAS LET US -- WAS LETTUCE , BOILED EGGS , COTTAGE CHEESE, A FEW MUSHROOMS AND GREEN PEPPERS , A LOT OF LOW-FAT DRESSING , WATER , AND SKIMMED MILK. WHO EVER DECIDED T O SKIM THEMILK. THERE WAS NOT A SODA IN THE HOUSE ! BUT IN DIF DEFERENCE TO HER -- BUT IN DEFERENCE TO HER , I DECIDED THAT IF I WAS GOING TO BUY SOME THINGS,THAT I WOULD STICK TO HER DIETARY PLAN, A AND SO MOST EVENINGS WE TRIED TO HAVE DINNER TOGETHER , BUT WE BECAME THE CARRY OUT QUEENS. HEALTHY CARRY OUT QUEENS, BECAUSE SHE INSISTED O N GRILLED OR BAKED CHICKEN AND SALADS. SO FOR A MONTH, THAT IS WHAT I LIVED ON . [LAUGHTER] BUT I REALLY MUST TELL YOU THAT DOING THAT REALLY HAS MADE ME A HEALTHIER EATER, AND HAS MADE ME JUST A HEALTHIER PERSON, SO, AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR THAT. BUT KNOW , JUSTICE PARIENTE 'S HUMANITY DOESN'T JUST STOPWITH ME. SHE IS THAT WAY WITH MANY OF US. AND MOST OF US . I UNDERSTAND AND I HEARD AT THE BAR MEETING, IT WAS THEFIRST TIME I HEARD THE STORYTHAT , WHEN JUSTICE CANTERO AND HIS FAMILY MOVED TO TOWN , SHE TROTTED OVER T O HIS HOUSE WITH A NIC E LASAGNA DINNER. YOU KNOW, AFTER YOU MOVE IN AND START UNPACKING AND PACKING, YOU JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE COOKING, SO SHE CAME OVER WITH THIS LASAGNA DINNER, BUT SHE WOULD B E THE FIRST TO TELL YOU SHE DID NOT COOK IT . [LAUGHTER] BUT IT IS NOT JUST JUSTICES ON THIS COURT. THERE ARE OTHERS WHO COULD TELL YOU ABOUT THE MANY TIMES THAT SHE HAS STOPPED TO HELP , TO GIVE A HELPING HAND OR TO GIVE AN ENCOURAGING WORD. JUST A S JOHN KISER, WHO HAD HIS OWN BOUT WITH CANCER , THE MANY WONDERED REDUCE THINGS SHE DID FOR HIM. ASK ONE OF OUR FORMER STAFFERS , SUSAN ELSATS, THE THINGS THAT SHE DID FOR HER. AND JUST ASK ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT AND THOSE WHO WORK HERE AT THE COURT , WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH ANY LOWS OR HIGHS IN THEIR LIFE , JUST HOW MUCH SHE HAS DONE FOR THEM. I WANT YOU TO KNOW , JUSTICE PARIENTE, THAT YOUR COURT FAMILY REALLY APPRECIATES YOU . SHE HAS REAL BEEN A GREAT FRIEND TO ME . I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH A FRIEND , AND I THANK GOD FOR ALLOWING OUR PATHS TO CROSS . TO MY FRIEND , CHIEF JUSTICE BARBARA PARIENTE , CONGRATULATIONS . THE BEST IS YET TO COME ! [APPLAUSE]

CHIEF JUSTICE: THANK YOUSO MUCH , JUSTICE QUINCE. ACTUALLY SOMEBODY LAST WEEK SAID, WHEN JUSTICE QUINCE WAS SPEAKING AND AFTER SHE FINISHED , THEY SAID THANK YOU JUSTICE PARIENTE , AND ACTUALLY IT WAS MAYOR FRANKEL GOT UP AND SAID YOU KNOW, ACTUALLY THE TWO OF YOU ARE STARTING TO LOOK LIKE EACH OTHER. SHE SLIMMED DOWN. MY HAIR IS SHORTER . WE ARE JUST ABOUT THE SAME HEIGHT. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MY SON JOSHUA PARIENTE KOEHLER , WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SOME REMARKS . APPLAUSE]

MR . PARIENTE KOEHLER : GOOD MORNING AND MAY IT PLEASE COURT. AND THANK YOU , JUSTICEQUINCE, FOR YOU R KIND WORDS ABOUT MY MOTHER . I A M EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO INCLUDE JUSTICE QUINCE IN THE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT I MAY CALL M Y FRIENDS . AND THANK YOU , JUSTICE HARDING , FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL COMMENTS EARLIER . THE VERY FIRST TIME THAT I MET THE JUSTICES OF THE FLORIDA SUPREME COURT , I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SITTING AT THE SAME TABLE WITH JUSTICE HARDING AND HIS WIFE JANE , FOR A DINNER HONORING THEN OUTGOING CHIEF JUSTICE KOGAN . FROM JUSTICE HARDING THE GAVEL PASSED TO JUSTICE WELLS, AND THEN TO JUSTICE ANSTEAD , AND , TODAY , TO MY MOTHER , JUSTICE PARIENTE , AS SHE ASSUMES THIS TREMENDOUS TWO-YEAR CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AS HEAD OF THE FLORIDA STATE COURTS SYSTEM. MY SISTER LESLIE AND I WERE TALKING ON THE PHONE RECENTLY REGARDING WHAT I WOULD SAY THIS MORNING ABOUTMY MOTHER , AND ALTHOUGH I HAVE KNOWN MOM FOR ALL OF MY LIFE [LAUGHTER] -- AND SHE HAS KNOWN ME FOR ALL OF HERS , I WAS STRUGGLING SOMEWHAT AS TO EXACTLY HOW I WOULD GO ABOUT SHARING SUCH PERSONAL THOUGHTS IN THIS MOST PUBLIC OF SETTINGS. BUT LESLIE SUMMARIZED I T NEATLY WITH THIS. SHE SAID DON'T EVER BRING A PROBLEM TO MOM, UNLESS YOU WANT HER TO SOLVE IT . [LAUGHTER] BECAUSE WHEN YOU DO, IT IS LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH GOES ON IN HER HEAD , AND SHE WILL GO ABOUT WORKING WITH YOU TO FIND A SOLUTION. NOW, SHE CERTAINLY DOESN'T DO SO OUT OF A FEELING OF OBLIGATION. RATHER SHE MAKES A CONSCIOUS CHOICE TO HELP OTHERS AND TO INCLUDE OTHERS IN THE PROCESS AND TO REMAIN RESPECTFUL AND SENSITIVE , BECAUSE I T MEANS SOMETHING TO HER. IT IS THE PRIOR TO THAT SHE PLACES ON PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS THAT REALLY MAKES HER SO SPECIAL. MOM , YOU ARE THE FIRST PERSON THAT I TURN TO FOR GUIDANCE. YOU ARE MY MENTOR. YOU ARE MY ROLE MODEL . YOUR ABILITY T O APPROACH LIFE'S MANY CHALLENGES WITH SUCH A CALM , CONSISTENT SENSE OF DETERMINATION , HAS BEEN SO VERY REASSURING T O OUR FAMILY AND TO THOSE WHOKNOW AND ADMIRE YOU . BREAST CANCER WAS NO EXCEPTION. I SAW I N YOU AT ONE TIME, AN IMAGE OF BOTH VULNERABILITY AND STRENGTH. AND YOU HAVE %ER VEERED -- AND YOU HAVE% VEERED. AS JUSTICE PARIENTE -- AND YOU HAVE PERSERVERED. I HAVE HEARD ABOUT HER WONDERFUL RESPONSIBILITY TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND HER RESPONSIBILITY. I WISH THAT I COULD REMEMBER EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID HERE TODAY, BUT I ALWAYS SEEM TO BE LEFT WITH THIS. THEY SAY PLEASE TELL YOUR MOTHER HOW PROUD WE ARE OF HER. MOM , YOU ARE THE VERY BEST PERSON THAT I KNOW. I AM EXTRAORDINARILY PROUD OF YOU. CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS GREAT HONOR. MAY YOU CONTINUE SERVING THE STATE OF FLORIDA WITH AS MUCH DEDICATION AS YOU SERVEYOUR FAMILY . [APPLAUSE] ,,

CHIEF JUSTICE: NOT BAD , JOSH. I WOULD LIKE NOW RECOGNIZE MY HUSBAND, THE HONORABLE JUDGE FRED HAZOURI FOR SOME ADDITIONAL REMARKS . [APPLAUSE]

JUDGE HAZOURI : JOSH, THAT IS GOING TO BE A VERY HARD ACT TO FOLLOW. YOU DID VERY WELL , SON. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT , CHIEF JUSTICE PARIENTE , GOVERNOR BUSH, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JENNINGS , ATTORNEY GENERAL CRIST , SENATOR CAMPBELL, REPRESENTATIVE RUBIO , AND MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY AND MEMBERS OF THE BAR AND FRIENDS AND FAMILY , IT IS TRULY AN HONOR TO BE PART OF THE PAST GAVEL CEREMONY , COMMEMORATING THEDISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF JUSTICE ANSTEAD AS CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE BEGINNING O F CHIEF JUSTICE PARIENTE'S TENURE AS THE HEAD OF THE FLORIDA JUDICIAL SYSTEM. SINCE I HAVE KNOWN JUSTICE ANSTEAD SINCE EARLY CHILDHOOD , ALTHOUGH HE IS MUCH , MUCH OLDER THAN I AM , I WOULD BE REMISS , IF I DID NOT EXPRESS MY DEEP FELT APPRECIATION FOR HIS SUCCESSFUL SERVICE TO THEPEOPLE OF THIS GREAT STATE. HARRY AND I GO WAY BACK. WE BOTH GREW UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE TRACKS IN JACKSONVILLE , ATTENDED THE SAME GRAMMAR SCHOOL, THE SAME JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND THE SAME SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. GROWING UP IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD, HARRY WAS A ROLE MODEL FOR MANY OF US. HARRY WAS AN OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AND AN EXCELLENT STUDENT. IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD , SCHOLASTIC AN ACHIEVEMENTWAS NOT VALUED AS MUCH AS ATHLETIC PROWESS , BUT HARRY SET AN EXAMPLE THAT PERMITTED THOSE OF US FOLLOWING HIM TO SEEK ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD , IT WASBETTER TO BE TOUGH THAN TO BE SMART . HARRY ALSO, BY EXAMPLE , SHOWED US THAT ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE TREATED WITH EQUAL DIGNITY. BACK IN THOSE DAYS , RACIAL AND ECONOMIC SEGREGATION WAS IN FULL FORCE. HARRY TAUGHT US THAT , IF YOU DON'T JUDGE PEOPLE -- HARRYTAUGHT US THAT YOU DON'T JUDGE PEOPLE BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN OR THE SIZE OF THEIR BANK ACCOUNT. HARRY , YOU HAVE NEVER STARTED A FIGHT BUT YOU NEVER WALKED AWAY FROM ONE. HARRY RETAINED THE CHARACTERISTIC THROUGHOUT HIS JUDICIAL CAREER. HAIR , WE OWE YOU AND SUE A GREAT DEBT OF GRATITUDE, SO THANK PERSONALLY , FOR BEINGTHERE WHEN I WAS JUST A KID GROWING UP IN BRENTWOOD , AND FOR YOUR LONG SERVICE TO OUR STATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH . [APPLAUSE] AS IMPORTANT AN IMPACT AS JUSTICE ANSTEAD HAD ON MY LIFE, THE NEW CHIEF JUSTICE IS A SINE QUO NON IN MY LIFE ON BOTH A PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEVEL. BARBARA BRINGS TO THIS POSITION A DEEP AND ABIDING CONCERN FOR THE SYSTEM OF JUSTICE AND THE PEOPLE WHO ADMINISTER IT AND THE PEOPLE AFFECT ED BY IT. JUST AS HARRY NEVER WALKED AWAY FROM A FIGHT , BARBARA NEVER WALKS AWAY FROM APROBLEM UNSOLVED. SHE HAS THE TENACITY OF A BULLDOG, AND AS I AM SURE HER DOLL EAGS AND FRIENDS WILL ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT , IF YOU SEEK HER ADVICE, AS JOSH SAID , OR COMMENTS , BE PREPARED TO GET AN UNDILUTED , STRAIGHTFORWARD ANSWER AND ONE WHICH IS VERY LIKELY TO BE RIGHT ON TARGET. IN ALL OF THE YEARS THAT BARBARA AND I PRACTICED LAW TOGETHER OR TRIED CASESTOGETHER, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYONE WHO WORKED HARDER OR WHO WAS BETTER AT ANALYZING COMPLEX ISSUES. SHE WAS GREAT AT ANTICIPATING PROBLEMS IN A LAWSUIT AND COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS. NO ONE , NO ONE EVER OUT PREPARED HER . BUT BU WITH ALL OF THIS DETERMINATION AND STEEL WILL , SHE IS ALSO THE MOST COMPASSIONATE AND CONCERNED PERSON THAT I KNOW . INTELLIGENCE AND OBJECTIVEITY ARE CERTAINLY IMPORTANT TRAITS FOR ANY JUDGE OR JUSTICE , AND BARBARA HAS BOTH OF THESE, BUT COMPASSION IS AN AT ANY RATE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE FAIR AND CIVIL IZED LEGAL SYSTEM. THERE MUST BE BALANCE, AND SOMETIMES MAINTAINING THAT BALANCE IS LIKE THE "FIDDLER ON THE ROOF" WHO TRIES TO PLAY WITHOUT FALLING OFF THE ROOF. TRADITION IS WHAT THE FIDDLER USED TO MAINTAIN HIS BALANCE , AND THE JUDICIARY USES STARE DECISIS , BUT A GOOD DOSE OF COMMON SENSE IS ALSO NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THAT BALANCE. BARBARA HAS THAT COMMON SENSE. SHE ALSO HAS THE DETERMINATION TO BUILD CONSENSUS. IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK THAT WAY, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE 4-3 OR 5-2 DECISIONS RENDERED BY THIS COURT. NEVERTHELESS, SHE STRIVES TO BUILD CONSENSUS AND ADVOCATES EVEN WHERE THERE IS DISAGREEMENT , ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DISAGREEABLE . ANOTHER IMPORTANT QUALITYFOR ACHIEVE JUSTICE IS ENERGY, AND BARBARA HAS LOADS OF THAT. ASK ANYONE WHO HAS EVER WORKED WITH HER ON A PROJECT , THE WOMAN IS TIRELESS. SHE CAN SIMPLY JUST WEAR YOU OUT. [LAUGHTER] DURING THE PAST YEAR WHEN BARBARA WAS BATTLING BREAST CANCER , SHE NEVER MISSED A N ORAL ARGUMENT , EVEN WHEN SHE WAS UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY. I COULD REMEMBER JUNE 14 , 2003 A S AVENUE ENT THAT CAPTURES MUCH OF WHAT BARBARA IS ALL B AFTER SHE HAD BEEN THROUGH BIOPSIES AND SEVERAL FAILED LUMP HE CAN'T OHMS, WE HAD TO -- LUMP ECTOMY , WE HAD TO FACE THE REALIZATION THAT SHE WOULD UNDERGO MASTECTOMY O N JUNE 15. SHE HAD PREVIOUSLY PLANNED TO CELEBRATE MY 50th BIRTHDAY WITH A BIRTHDAY PARTY.THIS WAS BEFORE WE LEARNED THAT SHE HAD NO CHOICE OF TREATMENT.I WANTED TO CANCEL THAT PARTY BECAUSE I COULD NOT IMAGINE A CELEBRATION WITH SURGERY TWO DAYS AWAY. I THOUGHT WE SHOULD FOCUS ON HER BUT SHE WOULD HAVE NONE OF THAT. SHE INSISTED THE PARTY GO FORWARD AND SHE WAS RIGHTAGAIN , PARTICULARLY THE PART OF THE PARTY WHERE EVERYONE GOT UP T O TAKE CHEAP SHOTS AT ME , EXPOSING MY MANY FOIBLES AND IDI O SINKRACIES. ANOTHER CHIEF JUSTICE MUST HAVE IS COURAGE TO MAKE AN UNPOPULAR DECISION. JUSTICE HARDING ALLUDE TO THAT EARLIER IN HIS REMARKS. THE WHOLE CONCEPT FOR CHECKS AND BALANCES CREATES THE POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES. STIPULATIONS IT IS DIFFICULTFOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I S COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS LEGAL TECHNICALITIES OR THE BILL OF RIGHTS THAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WROTE INTO THE CONSTITUTION TO PROTECT US ALL. BARBARA HAS THAT KIND OF COURAGE, AND IT WAS NEVER MORE EVIDENT THAN WHEN SHE DECIDED TO GO PUBLIC WITH HER BATTLE WITH BREAST CANCER AND HER VERY COURAGEOUS DECISION TO GO ON THE BENCH WITHOUT HER WIG. SHE RECEIVED MANY CARDS ANDLETTERS FROM MEN AND WOMENAROUND THE STATE , EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION FOR HER WILLINGNESS TO REMOVE SOME OF THE MYSTERY AND FEAR ASSOCIATED WITH CANCER AND BREAST CANSNER PARTICULAR. SHE ALSO RECEIVED CARDS AND LETTERS OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT. GOVERNOR BUSH AND HIS WIFE , BOTH, SENT PERSONAL NOTES OF SUPPORT , WHICH WERE GREATLY APPRECIATED, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE AND LAWYERS AND NONLAWYERS. THEY WERE ALL WONDERFUL, BUT ONE SEEMED TO CAPTURE WHAT IT MEANT TO WOMEN . THIS WAS WHAT ONE PERSON WROTE. DEAR JUSTICE PARIENTE , I WANTED TO WRITE WHEN I SAW YOU A T ORAL ARGUMENT WITH YOUR NEW HAIRDO.YOU LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL. I COULDN'T HELP BUT GRIN AND I KEPT GRINING ALL DAY. I DIDN'T WRITE YOU THEN BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT MIGHT APPEAR AS SHAMELESS KISSING UP BY A FLORIDA BAR STAFFMEMBER, BUT I JUST SAW THEPALM BEACH NEWS ARTICLEALONG WITH THOSE INCREDIBLE PICTURES, AND I JUST HAD TO WRITE.I AM NOT SURE THAT YOU ARE LEARNING LESSONS AS MUCH ASSURE TEACHING LESSONS. YOU DESCRIBED HOW FREEING IT WAS TO FORGET THE WIG AND TO GO BALD.I HOPE YOU KNOW HOW FREEINGIT FELT FOR WOMEN WHO WATCHED YOU TAKE THAT STEP. I KNOW THAT FOR ME PERSONALLY , I T WAS A SIGHT AND A SYMBOL THAT BROUGHT ME GREAT JOY AND PRIDE. THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A STRONG AND BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLEOF WOMANHOOD AND ALL THAT IT EMPCOMP ASSIST . NOW , ONE O F -- EMPCOMPASSES.NOW , ONE OF MY FAVORITE LETTERS CAME FROM A LAY PERSON THAT WE DIDN'T KNOW. THE WOMAN RECEIVED THE PALM BEACH UP IN WITH MANY STARTLING PHOTOGRAPHS. IT WAS ADDRESSED T O JUDGE PARIENTE AT THE PALM BEACH COUNTY COURTHOUSE. IT WENT THROUGH THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL AND WENT THROUGH THE WRING ER AND WAS CRUNCHED U P AND I OPENED IT AND IT MADE ME SMILE AND PUT ME IN PERSPECTIVE. ENCLOSED WAS A PHOTOGRAPH OF BARBARA HAVING BLOOD DRAWNBY A NURSE , A VULNERABLE PHOTO , NO HAIR , BLOOD BEING DRAWN AND PREPARING FOR SURGERY. ALSO PICTURED WAS DIAMONDNECK LESS I HAD GIVEN FOR HER ON HER 50th BIRTHDAY. IT WAS A SPECIAL NECKLACE AND WE KIDDED OVER THE YEARS THAT, OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT I HAD GIVEN HER, THIS GOT THE MOST ATTENTION. WRITTEN ACROSS THE PHOTO WAS , YOUR HONOR, WHAT A POWERFUL PHOTO. YOU ARE TRULY AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL. SINCERELY , CINDY BURNELL. PS, GREAT NECKLACE! [LAUGHTER] SHE IS TRULY AN INSPIRATIONTO US ALL. THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS GETTING A GREAT CHIEF JUSTICE , AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, A GREAT HUMAN BEING. WE ARE ALL VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HER , AND THERE IS NO ONE WHO I WOULD TRUST MORE WITH OUR INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS AND OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, THAN MY WIFE AND YOUR NEW CHIEF JUSTICE , BARBARA PARIENTE. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]

CHIEF JUSTICE: THANKS FOR NOT SHARING ANY OF THE FUNNY STORIES.YOU KNOW, YOU WOULD THINKTHAT , SINCE I WAS INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF THIS CEREMONY , THAT I WOULD HAVE ARRANGED TO GIVE MY CLOSINGREMARKS AT A TIME OTHER THAN AT 12:20 , WHEN I AM SURE THAT MANY OF YOUR STOMACHS ARE GROWLING. AND YOU ALSO MIGHT WONDER HOW THE SUPREME COURT WOULD SELECT JULY AS THE TIM E FOR THE "PASS THE GAVEL". I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU FROM OUT OF TOWN HAVE SAID TO YOURSELF , WE SIMPLY MUST GET TO TALLAHASSEE NEXT SUMMER. I AM TOLD THAT JULY DATE FOR THE PASSING OF THE GAVEL IS ACTUALLY IN THE RULES OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION . WHO MAKES THESE RULES , ANYWAY? [LAUGHTER] TODAY , I HAVE STRUGGLED TO FIND THE RIGHT WORDS TO CONVEY TO YOU MY PERSPECTIVE ON BECOMING THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND WHAT I HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS TWO-YEAR PERIOD . MANY OF YOU HAVE ASKED ME OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, IF I WERE EXCITED . EXCITED , YES , APPREHENSIVE , OVERWHELMED , ARE PROBABLY ALSO ACCURATE ADJECTIVES . PART OF MY ANXIETY CAME FROM KNOWING THAT THE VERY DAY THAT I WAS TO BECOME CHIEF JUSTICE , WAS THE EXACT DAY THAT THE COURT SYSTEM WAS TO TRANSITION TO FULL STATEWIDE FUNDING. SO THERE WAS POTENTIAL FOR GREAT CONCERN, SOMEWHAT LIKE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY CONCERN WITH Y2K . WOULD OUR COURTROOMS BE OPEN ? WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN ON JULY 1 , 2004 , BUT LIKE Y2K , EVERYTHING WORKED AS SMOOTHLY AS WE COULD HAVE HOPED , AND COURTROOMS AROUND THE STATE YESTERDAY OPENED FOR BUSINESS, FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE , JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY , BUT THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN , WITHOUT SIXYEARS OF PLANNING BY EVERYONE, AND WE HAD A CEREMONY YESTERDAY , SO THATWE COULD CELEBRATE THOSE THAT WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING THIS A TRANSITION THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF , AND WE HONORED THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE AND OUR OWN STAFF AND THE MEMBERS OF THE TRIAL COURT BUDGET COMMISSION, THE CHIEF JUDGES, THE TRIAL COURT ADMINISTRATORS. BUT THE PLANNING , AS WAS MENTIONED YESTERDAY , STARTED WITH CHIEF JUSTICE HARD IN G AND THEN JUSTICE WELLS AND THEN , FINALLY , JUSTICE ANSTEAD, SO THAT I COULD TAKE OVER TODAY , WITH A LITTLE BIT LESS OF ANXIETY THAN I HAD ANTICIPATED IN THE PRIOR MONTHS LEADING UP TO. THAT WE THANK EVERYONE YESTERDAY IN THE CEREMONY , BUT I WANT TODD , AGAIN , THANK MY COLLEAGUE S THAT PRECEDED ME AND T O OUR COURT ADMINISTRATOR LIZA GOODNER AND TO THE TRIAL COURT -- LISA GOODNER, AND TO THETRIAL COURT BUDGET COMMISSION WHO I KNOW IS OUT THERE.ONCE AGAIN, MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE CHIEF JUDGES WHO ARE HERE TODAY AS WELL AS THE TRIAL COURT JUDGES. I COULDN'T HAVE DONE, IT WE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANOTHER SOURCE OF PREVENTION ABOUT ASSUMING THIS POSITION , CAME , AS HAS BEEN MENTIONED , ABOUT MY BATTLE WITH BREAST CANCER. AS YOU KNOW, AS YOU HAVE HEARD LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME,I WAS RECOVERING FROM A DOUBLE MASTECTOMY AND RECONSTRUCTION , AND ABOUT TO BEGIN CHEMOTHERAPY . DURING THE MONTHS OF TREATMENT, I KEPT O N WONDERING , HOW AM I GOING TO DO THIS? I HAD SO WANTED TO PLAN MY TWO YEARS AS CHIEF JUTIS , DOWN TO THE VERY LAST DETAIL. YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT MY LOVE OF PLANNING OR MY NEED FOR PLANNING. BUT IF THE LAST YEAR HASTAUGHT ME ANYTHING , IT HAS TAUGHT THAT WE CAN PLAN AND PLAN , BUT SOME THINGS ARE JUST BEYOND OUR CONTROL. NOW THAT THE DAY HAS ARRIVED , I AM NOT SO MUCH NERVOUS OR ANXIOUS AS I AM GRATEFUL , GRATEFUL FOR MY HEALTH, FOR THE HONOR OF BEING NAMEDCHIEF JUSTICE , AND MOST OF ALL, FOR MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS , MY COLLEAGUE S AND STAFF. AS I LOOK AROUND , I SEE SO MANY PERSONS WHO HAVE ENRICH MY LIFE IMMEASURABLY , FAMILY MEMBERS, MY FORMER LAW PARTNER LOU SILL BETTER , MY FRIENDS , JUDGES , JUDGE WARNER WITH WHOM I HAVE SERVED. I SEE CHIEF JUDGE FINE OUT THERE AND MANY , MANY OF MY JUDGE FRIENDS AND , OF COURSE MY COLLEAGUES HERE. I , ALSO , WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CHIEF JUSTICES AND THE JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT ARE HERE TODAY , THE RETIRED JUSTICES. IF YOU COULD PLEASE STANDAND BE RECOGNIZED . APPLAUSE] YOU KNOW, AGAIN , I AM AFRAID THAT, IF I WENT AROUND, I KNOW I WOULD LEAVE SOMEBODY OUT , SO I JUST , AGAIN, WANT TO GIVE A COLLECTIVE THANKYOU , BECAUSE EACH OF YOU WERE THERE FOR ME DURING THIS PAST YEAR , AND THAT MEANT MORE THAN I CAN EVER SAY , WHEN I TELL PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT CAN YOU DO, IF YOU HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER ? GETTING THAT NOTE FROM YOU , GOVERNOR BUSH , YOU KNOW , LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JENNINGS , THOSE WERE SOME OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL THINGS , AND IT REALLY DID MAKE ME FEEL JUST SO WONDERFUL, AND SO I TELL THAT YOU IS THE MOST WONDERFUL THING YOU CAN DO FOR A PERSON WHO IS IN A SIMILAR SITUATION. I FEEL ALL OF THAT LOVE AND GOOD WISHES OF EACH OF YOU TODAY , AND THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF MY JOURNEY. BUT I DO WANT TO INTRODUCE TO YOU , MY INCREDIBLE FAMILY. YOU MET A COUPLE OF THEM , BUT AS I WOULD LIKE TO YOU STAND AS I CALL YOUR NAME. FIRST OF ALL MY MOTHER , MILDRED PARIENTE. [APPLAUSE] MY CHILDREN , JOSH KOEHLER . DAVID HAZOURI . HIS WIFE , LYNN GRALBERT. MY DAUGHTER , LESLIE HAZOURI , AND HER HUSBAND , PAUL ATOKO , AND LET'S SEE , WHICH OF THE GRANDCHILDREN ARE LEFT NOW. THE LAST. ONLY LUKE? ALL RIGHT. WELL, YOU HEARD THE REST OF THEM. THE REST OF THEM ARE OUTSIDE. BUT I HAVE SIX WONDERFUL GRANDCHILDREN AND ANOTHER ON THE WAY, AND I , ALSO , WANT TO INTRODUCE MY SISTER , SUZANNE PARIENTE , AND HER HUSBAND , RALPH ZAKARI, AND MY KNEES AND NEPHEW , RACHEL AND JEFFREY , AND MY COUSINS MARILYN AND SUSIE ERINS , AND A SPECIAL THANK TO YOU ONEOF MY DEAR ES FRIENDS , WHO IS LIKE FAMILY , JEAN SADOU ASK. KI -- SADOUSKI. JEAN , IF YOU COULD STAND. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE I HAD MANY WONDERFUL DOCTORS IN THIS LAST YEAR THAT TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT THE KINDNESS AND GIVING OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, BUT I ESPECIALLY WANT T O THANK MY SURGEON , GARY ROSENBAUM , IF YOU COULD STAND. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] AND IT WASN'T LAST BUT LEAST , BECAUSE BOTH MY SISTERS IN LAW ARE HERE TODAY. I WASN'T LOOK ING AT THE SCRIPT. CATHY HAZOURI FROM COLORADO , WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND, AND SELL MAKE HAZOURI FROM FLORIDA. -- AND SELMA HAZOURI FROM FLORIDA.ALL RIGHT. BUT I BET YOU REALIZED, DID I FORGET SOMEONE ELSE? I DID SELMA. SHE WOULDN'T STAND . SELMA , STAND. [APPLAUSE] BUT A SPECIAL RECOGNITION MUST GO TO ONE INDIVIDUAL , THAN IS M Y HUSBAND , FRED HAZOURI. YEAH! YESTERDAY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT MVP , MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS , AND YOU KNOW, ALLTHE YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ALL OF THE GUYS , YOU KNOW , WHETHER IT HAS BEEN AS A LAW PARTNER , AT MY ORIGINAL LAW FIRM, OR ON THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL , WHERE EVEN JUDGE WARNER KNEW ALL THE SPORTS LINGO OR NOW ON THE SUPREME COURT , I HAVE SHIED AWAY FROM IT, BUT MVP , YOU, FRED, ARE MY MVP . I GOT TO SAY IT RIGHT. MOST VALUABLE PLAYER , PERSON IN MY LIFE . YOU ARE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE , AS I HAVE DESCRIBED YOU BEFORE, AND I WILL DESCRIBE IT AGAIN IN PUBLIC , YOU ARE TRIL MY PRINCE CHARMING . MY HUSBAND , WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT MENTOR S, YOU HAVE BEEN MY MENTOR AND SAGE ADVICE OR , AND -- ADVISOR, AND IF ANYTHING HAS TAUGHT US ABOUT THE VOWS OF MARRIAGE , BETTER FOR WORSE , LAST YEAR TRULY WAS WORSE , AND YOU WERE THE BEST THAT YOU COULD HAVE BEEN. YOU WERE THERE FOR M E AT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY , BY MY SIDE, AND I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN EXPRESS. THANK YOU . [APPLAUSE] I ALSO WANT TO PAY A SPECIAL THANK YOU, AGAIN , TO MY FELLOW JUSTICES, WHO HAVE TRULY BEEN MY FRIENDS EVERYSTEP OF THE WAY , NOT ONLY AS JUSTICES, AS WE WORKED THROUGH OUR OPINIONS AND OUR DECISION , BUT FROM, WITH MY BREAST CANCER JOURNEY, FROM JUSTICE WELLS , WHO GUIDED ME TO GET ME THE BEST MEDICAL ADVICE, EVEN WHEN IT MEANT ACTUALLY CALLING ON HIS DAUGHTER TO HELP WITH THAT , TO JUSTICE CANTERO , WHO MADE SURE THAT EVERY LAST MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY PRAYED FOR ME ON A DAILY BASIS . [LAUGHTER] TO JUSTICE QUINCE, WHO STAYED WITH ME WHEN I NEEDED HELP CHANGING DRESSINGS , ANDOF COURSE , TO JUSTICE ANSTEAD , LEWIS AND BELL , WHOOFFERED AND IT DO ANYTHING I REQUESTED.WELL, NOT QUITE ANYTHING. I DIDN'T THINK I GOT ANYMORE CONCURRING VOTES OUT OF THIS . BUT I TRULY COUNT MYSELF FORTUNATE, TO HAVE THE GREATEST GROUP OF COLLEAGUES , AND LAST AND NOT LEAST , ALSO , I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE , MY STAFF , BOTH MY FORMER STAFF ATTORNEYS, WHO AREHERE TODAY , AND MY CURRENT STAFF, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED . [APPLAUSE] I AM GOING TO LET , TENEKA , YOU CAN STAND. YOU ARE PART OF THE CURRENT STAFF. STARTING IN AUGUST. AND DID YOU INTRODUCE MY JUDICIAL ASSISTANT. I AM GOING TO HAVE HER STANDAGAIN THIS. IS BRENDA WILLIAMS RESPECTAND BRENDA HAS BEEN A PART OF ALL THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. SHE HAS WORKED IN THE GOVERNOR 'S OFFICE. SHE WORKED IN THE SENATE , AND NOW SHE IS WORKING IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH , SO SHE TRULY BRINGS TOGETHER , THE, WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COLLABORATION. I DO SEE IN THE CORNER , SEE , IF I START, THIS I SEE SAM MADISON OVER THERE AND THAT IS NOT SAM MADISON THE FOOTBALL PLAYER BUT SAM MADISON, THE FATHER OF THE FOOTBALL PLAYER , AND, SAM, IMISS YOU SO MUCH.HE WAS, WE TALK ABOUT MY LONG HOURS, AND SAM WAS THE SECURITY GUARD IN THE EVENING HOURS, MADE SURE THAT I GOT SAFELY TO MY CAR , NO MATTER WHAT HOUR IT WAS . SO IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU BACK. WE MISS YOU . JUST AS THIS LAST YEAR HAS BEEN A TIME OF TRANSITION FOR ME AND REVISION 7, THIS CEREMONY MARKS A MOMENT OF TRANSITION FOR THIS COURT. TRANSITION MEANS CHANGE. THE INTERSECTION OF THE PAST AND FUTURE , IN THE PRESENT. SO I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A FEW MORE MOMENTS TO REFLECTON BOTH THE PAST AND FUTURE IN OUR COURT SYSTEM . ONE OF THE GREAT LESSONS OF REVISION 7 , IS THAT W E LEARNED HOW COMPLEX A MODERN COURT SYSTEM TRULY IS , ANDHOW MUCH HAS CHANGED OVER THE PAST 100 YEARS. I WAS LISTENING TO THE CEREMONIES, AND I LIST TEND TO JUSTICE WELLS, AND HE RELATED HOW , 100 YEARS AGO , HIS GRANDFATHER WAS SERVING AS A COUNTY JUDGE I N RURAL WASHINGTON COUNTY. WE WERE A STATE THAT, BY TODAY'S STANDARDS , WAS A RUDE IMENT AREA COURT SYSTEM -- RUDEIMENTRY COURT SYSTEM , A SYSTEM DOMINATED BY ONE GENDER AND ONE RACE. THE STATE WAS SO SPARSELY POPULATED , THAT AN ENTIRE CIRCUIT RAN FROM DADE TO ORLANDO.JUST IMAGINE THAT. JUDGE PERRY AND JUDGE FARINA HAVING TO SORT O F WORK TOGETHER IN ONE LARGECIRCUIT LIKE THAT. AS FLORIDA HAS GROWN MORE COMPLEX , OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS RESPONDED . WE NOW HAVE A STREAMLINED AND UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM , AND SPECIALIZED DIVISIONS , THEY ARE NOT SPECIALTYCOURTS, SPECIALIZED DIVISIONS , SO THAT JUDGE S MAY GAIN EXPERTISE THAT COMES WITH EXPERIENCE IN AN AREA OF THE LAW. ALSO THROUGH CONCEPTS SUCH AS MEDIATION AT THE TRIAL AND APPELLATE LEVELS , DRUG COURTS THAT EMPHASIZE TREATMENT OVER PUNISHMENT , AND UNIFIED FAMILY COURTS THAT ALLOW ISSUES AFFECTING FAMILIES TO BE ADDRESSED AS WHOLE. WE ARE MOVING BEYOND THE TRADITIONAL NOTION OF JUSTICE , AS ALWAYS BEING A WIN /LOSE , WIN ER -TAKES-ALL PROPOSITION.WE HAVE CREATED A CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR OUR ATTORNEYS AND FOR ALL JUDGES. ALSO AS WOMEN AND MINORITIES HAVE MADE SOCIETAL GAINS , WEHAVE SEEN SIMILAR CHANGE INS OUR PROFESSION AND OURCOURTS. THESE CHANGES ARE REFLECTING AND REFLECTED IN THE COMPOSITION OF THIS COURT. I AM HONORED TO FOLLOW ROSEMARY BARKETT AS THE SECOND WOMAN JUSTICE AND SECOND WOMAN CHIEF JUSTICE, AND I AM PRIVILEGED TO HAVE SERVED WITH JUSTICES QUINCE AND CANTERO , AS WELL AS JUSTICE LEANDER SHAW. IT WAS A MONSTROUS PROJECT ALTHOUGH AT TIMES COMING TOOSLOWLY, THAT THESE BRILLIANT AND QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALSCAN NOW HAVE A VOICE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT W E COMMEMORATE THE SIGNS OF PROGRESS, AS WE DID IN MAY , WHEN WE CELEBRATED THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISION IN BROWN V BOARD OF EDUCATION, AND AS WE HAVE ON OTHER OCCASION DURING MY TIME IN THE COURT, WHEN WE HONORED VIRGIL HAWKINS , WHO COURAGEOUS LY AND TIRELESS LY FOR THE SEGREGATION IN OUR LAW SCHOOLS , AND THE FIRST 150 WOMEN LAWYERS IN FLORIDA , AND I CAN'T END THIS PART OF MY REMARKS, WITHOUT NOTING THAT , TODAY , IS THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNINGOF THE HISTORIC CIVIL RIGHTS ACT , PROBABLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN OUR LIFETIME . [APPLAUSE] I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE PAST , THE FUTURE IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT, BUT UNLIKE THE PAST , IT REMAINS OURS T O MAKE. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS FOR MY TIME AS CHIEF? IN THIS REGARD, I OWE S O MUCH TO THE PREDECESSOR CHIEF JUSTICES, WHO HAVE EMBRACED SO MAN Y INITIATIVESTHAT HAVE MADE FLORIDA INTO A GREAT JUDICIAL SYSTEM , LIKE JUSTICE SHAW AND HIS EMPHASIS ON THE NEED FOR DIVERSITY IN THE COURT SYSTEM AND JUSTICE BARKETT AND HER UNDERSTANDING OF THENEED FOR LONG-RANGE PLANNING AND HER EMBRACING OF THE UNIFIED FAMILY COURT, AND JUSTICE OVERTON AND HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEED FOR TECHNOLOGY AND THE NEED FOR MEDIATION , AND JUSTICE KOGAN AND HIS UNDERSTANDINGOF THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN ACCESS TO OUR COURTS , SO , TODAY , OUR PROCEEDINGS ARE TELEVISED AND ARE AVAILABLE ALL OVER THE WORLD. AND JUSTICE HARDING, FOR HIS BELIEF IN THE IMPORTANCE OF JUDICIAL EDUCATION AND PROMOTING PUBLIC TRUST ANDCONFIDENCE, AND JUSTICE WELLS , AND HIS DEVOTION T O THE MANNER IN WHICH WE HANDLE ALL OF OUR CASES , INCLUDING DEATH PENALTY CASES , AND HIS RECOGNITION OF THE NEEDS TO ADVANCE TECHNOLOGY AND, OF COURSE , CHIEF JUSTICE ANSTEAD , WHO CONTINUED THIS , THESE LEGACIES, WITH HIS OWN PERSONAL TOUCH O F PASSIONATE ADVOCACY FOR CHILDREN. SO , YOU SHE , MY AGENDA REALLY HAS BEEN SET BY MY PREDECESSORS, BUT , OF COURSE MY FIRST PRIORITY HAS TO COME THROUGH THE AGENDA SET THROUGH REVISION 7, WHICH IS TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE FULL AND FAIR FUNDING OF THE COURTS, SO THAT OUR CITIZENS HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE OR WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING. SECOND, WE MUST CONTINUE TO EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY, SO THAT WE TRULY CAN HAVE AN INTEGRATED JUDICIAL SYSTEM , WHERE EACH JUDGE HAS ACCESS TO INFORMATION NEEDED TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS THAT WILL BETTER SERVE OUR LITIGANTS AND ENSURE THAT JUSTICE CAN B E DONE. THERE ARE PARTS OF THIS STATE THAT, EVEN TODAY , DO NOT EVEN HAVE THE ABILITY TO ACCESS THE INTERNET . THIS IS NOT THE WAY IT WILL BE AT THE END OF MY TWO YEARS, IF I HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT , AND ASK THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE TO WORK ON THAT. WE MUST MOVE TOWARDS ELECTRONIC FILING OF DOCUMENTS , IN ORDER TO SWERVE THE LITIGANTS OF THIS STATE AND TO HELP PROVIDE AN EVEN MORE TIMELY APPELLATE REVIEW PROCESS , AND W E MUST CONTINUE TO BE OPEN TO OUR CITIZENS . YOU KNOW, ACROSS THE FLORIDA , EVERYDAY THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS ENTER OUR COURTHOUSES . THEY COME AS LAWYERS AND LITIGANTS , AS JURORS, AS WITNESSES , AS FRIENDS , AS FAMILY , AND EVEN INTERESTED OBSERVERS.THEY SEEK JUSTICE ON ISSUES THAT RUN THE GAMUT OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE, FAMILY DISPUTES , FINANCIAL DISAGREEMENTS , CRIMINAL MATTERS , EVERY MATTER FROM BIRTH TO DEATH. THE VIABILITY OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM DEPENDS ON THOSE WHO USE OUR COURTS AND WHAT THEY THINK ABOUT HOW WE DO OUR WORK AND WHAT THEY THINK DEPENDS ON THE TOTALITY OF WHAT THEY OBSERVE AND EXPERIENCE IN OUR COURTS . MUCH AS WE STRIVE T O B E UNDERSTANDABLE AND OPEN , THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS STILL SHROUDED I N MYSTERY. THE QUESTIONS I HAVE BEEN ASKED RANGE FROM THE GENERAL TO THE VERY SPECIFIC , LIKE WHY IS LADY JUSTICE PORTRAYED BLINDFOLDED . WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE LEAVE THE COURTROOM , AFTER ORAL ARGUMENT. OR WHAT DO WE WEAR UNDER THESE ROBES ! WELL, THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS BETTER LEFT UNANSWERED. [LAUGHTER] BUT AS FOR LADY JUSTICE , SHE IS A SYMBOL OF THE NECESSARY IMPARTIAL ITY REQUIRED IN WEIGHING BOTH SIDES OF A DISPUTE , WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PERSON , WHETHER SHE BE POOR OR RICH OR GREAT OR SMALL, AND WHEN WE LEAVE THE BENCH, WE GONE INTO ---WE GO INTO OUR CONFERENCE ROOM. GOVERNOR BUSH SAW IT TODAY , IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE COURTROOM.WE DISCUSS THE CASE AND TAKE A PRELIMINARY VOTE , DISAGREEING CLEAGE LY SOMETIMES -- DISAGREEING COLE EEJ YACHTLY SOMETIMES BUT -- COLLEGIATELY SOMETIMES. WE MUST WORK TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC THAT THE COURTS AS HAVE BEEN TALKED ABOUTTODAY, ARE A EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, AND THAT OUR SYSTEM OF DEMOCRACY , JUST AS REPRESENTATIVE RUBIO STATED , IS FOUNDED ON THE BEDROCK OF THE SEPARATION OF POWERS AND THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY. ALTHOUGH MANY SEE THE JUDICIARY AS BEING REMOVED FROM THE PUBLIC , WHICH IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN OUR IMPARTIALITY , IN FACT, I N THINKING ABOUT IT, WE ARE THE ONLY BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT THAT TRULY SHARES POWER DIRECTLY WITH THE PEOPLE, BY MAKING THEM PARTNERS IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND INTEGRAL TO THE DECISION-MAKING , THROUGH THE GENIUS OF OUR JURY SYSTEM. SO I , ALSO , LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE , TO INITIATE A STATEWIDE CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN , SO THATWE CAN EDUCATE AND REEDUCATE ALL FLORIDIANS , FROM OUR YOUNGEST TO OUR OLDEST , ON THE IMPORTANT VALUES OF CITIZENSHIP , THE TRUE MEANING OF THE RULE OF LAW , AND THE GENIUS OF THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. BUT IN LOOKING TO THE FUTURE , FUNDING IN TECHNOLOGY, AS IMPORTANT AS IT I S , WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THE TEST OF A JUSTICE SYSTEM IS ITS EFFECT ON INDIVIDUAL LIVES. THEREFORE , I AM STRIVING TO USE THE TIME THAT I AM CHIEF JUSTICE , TO ENSURE THAT OUR UNIFIED FAMILY COURT , WHICH INCLUDES DISSOLUTIONS OF MARRIAGE , ADOPTIONS , CHILD SUPPORT , DOMESTIC VIOLENCE , JUVENILE DEPENDENCY AND JUVENILE DELINQUENCY , CONTINUES TO BEGIN TOP PRIORITY. A HUGE NUMBER O F PEOPLE COMING INTO THE COURT , COME IN BECAUSE THERE IS TROUBLEIN THE FAMILY , A DISINTEGRATE!!ING MARRIAGE , DOMESTIC ABUSE , CUSTODY AND CHILD SUPPORT MATTERS . CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICESAND DELINQUENCY. THE UNIFIED FAMILY COURT IS NOT A TRAINING GROUND FOR NEW LAWYERS AND NEW JUDGES, BUT A COURT WHERE WE SHOULD BE SENDING OUR MOST EXPERIENCED LAWYERS AND JUDGES. THIS HIGH LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY TO DEAL WITH THE COMPLEXITIES ARISE !!ING FROM THE DELINQUENCY AND DEPENDENCY SYSTEMS AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT MANY OF THESE CHILDREN ARE , THEMSELVES, PRODUCTS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT , BOTH PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE , DRUGS AND ALCOHOL , EITHER THEIR OWN ADDICTIONS OR THOSE O F THEIR PARENTS , OR ARE THEREBECAUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE , EITHER THEIR OWN AGGRESSIVE ACTOR HAVING BEEN THERE AS A PREVIOUS VICTIM. THE UNIFIED FAMILY COURT HELPS US GET A TOTAL PICTURE OF THE CHILD, WHICH IS POSSIBLE ONLY IF WE HAVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION , AND IF WE LISTEN AND ALLOW THE CHILD TO BE HEARD. THAT IS WHY IT I S CRITICAL TO WORK WITH LEGISLATORS , IN AN ATTEMPT , A S KELLY MENTIONED EARLIER , TO FUND SUCCESSFUL MODELS O F REPRESENTATION FOR CHILDREN THERE. EXISTS THOSE MODELS RIGHTNOW , SUCH A S PROJECT TEAM CHILD IN TALLAHASSEE , IN WHICH JUVENILES ARE NOT ONLY PROVIDED WITH AN ATTORNEY BUT , ALSO , WITH THE SERVICES OF A SOCIAL WORKER WHO CAN LINEUP SERVICES SUCH A S COUNSELING AND TREATMENT. WE, ALSO , MUST CONTINUE TO ENSURE THE CONTINUATION O F PROGRAMS THAT HAVE PROVEN SUCCESS , INCLUDING THE DRUG COURT APPROACH FOR JUVENILES AND FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN IN DEPENDENCY , BECAUSE EVERY TIME THAT WE HAVE TO TERMINATE THE RIGHTS OF THE PARENT, BECAUSE O F A TREATABLE ADDICTION , WE HAVE FRACTURED A FAMILY WITH POTENTIAL DEVASTATING EFFECTS ON PARENT AND CHILD. THESE ARE THE BIG PICTURECONCERNS THAT CAN HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT ON INDIVIDUAL LIVES. IT IS A QUESTION OF PERSPECTIVE . WHAT IS JUSTICE LIKE TO THE ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILD OR THE CHILD OF A HIGH CONFLICT DIVORCE OR THE CHILD VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR THE CHILD WHO IS , HERSELF , ACCUSED OF DELINQUENT ACTS , BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS O F OUR SYSTEM DEPENDS ON HOW W E TREAT INDIVIDUALS , I WOULDLIKE TO END WITH A SHORT STORY ABOUT ONE OF THE VISITS THAT I RECENTLY PAID TO A JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY , AND A YOUNG WOMANI MET THERE. SHE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN MUCH SHE WAS A CHILD. SHE WAS 1 1 YEARS OLD. SHE WAS IN JUVENILE DETENTION AWAITING ARRAIGNMENT, BECAUSE OF TWO DOMESTIC BATTERIES ON HER GRANDMOTHER AND ON HER AUNT WHO TOOK CARE OF HER FROM BIRTH.I ASKED WHY SHE HIT HER GRANDMOTHER AND HER AUNT , AND SHE SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THEY HIT HER , BUT SHE GOT ARRESTED. I ALSO LEARNED THAT SHE WAS A FIFTH GRADER WHO HAD BEEN GETTING As AND Bs IN SCHOOL. SHE DIDN'T WANT T O TALK ABOUT HER MOTHER. I LEARNED HER MOTHER WAS I N PRISON . SHE I S NOW IN A MODERATE LEVEL RESIDENTIAL COMMITMENT FACILITY, FAR FROM HER AUNT AND HER GRANDMOTHER , AT LEN YEARS OF AGE , PERHAPS THIS PROGRAM TO WHICH SHE HAS BEEN COMMITTED, WILL BE THE ANSWER TO STEPHANIE'S PROBLEMS. I HOPE AND PRAY THAT IT IS , AND I OFFERED MY SERVICES, AFTER I MET HER, TO MENTOR HER WHEN SHE GETS OUT AND HAVE HER VISIT HERE , BECAUSE SHE TOLD ME SHE WANTS TO BE A LAWYER WHEN SHE GROWS UP. SHE IS ALIVE !!ING AND BREATHING REMINDER TO ME , THAT WE MUST ENSURE ADEQUATE FUNDING OF PREVENTION PROGRAMS , TREATMENT SERVICES FOR JUVENILES , AND HOLISTIC REPRESENTATION OF JUVENILES . WE MUST INVEST I N THE FRONT END, SO THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM GRADUATING FROM OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM INTO OUR ADULT PRISON POPULATION. BECAUSE, AS JUSTICE ANSTEAD HAS OFTEN REMINDED US, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER , AND AS MARTIN LUTHER KING STATED, THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT. I PLEDGE, OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS , I WILL GIVE MY BEST EFFORTS AS CHIEF JUSTICE, T O DO WHAT IS RIGHT IN TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE I N BRINGING FLORIDIANS TOGETHER , TO BRING US CLOSER TO T HE IDEAL OF EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW THAT IS INSCRIBED OVER THE ENTRANCE TO OUR NATION'S HIGHEST COURT. THE PRINCIPLES UPON WHICH THE IDEALS OF THIS COUNTRY'S DEMOCRACY IS BASED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT AND FOR BEING HERE TODAY , AND W E WILL END THIS CEREMONY , I WOULD LIKE TO ASK ALIX HYMAN TO COME UP AND SING AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL . [APPLAUSE] 77 OH, BEAUTIFUL FOR SPACIOUS SKIES FOR AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN 77 FOR PURPLE MOUNTAINS MAJESTY AMONG THE FRUIT ED PLAINS 77 AMERICA 77 AMERICA GOD SHED HIS GRACE ON THEE 77 AND CROWN THY GOOD WITH BROTHERHOOD 77 FROM SEA T O SHINING SEA [APPLAUSE]

CHIEF JUSTICE: I AM NOW RAP THE GAVEL. THE COURT IS ADJOURNED AND PLEASE JOIN US ACROSS THE STREET .