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CONTACT PERSON:
VALERIE WILLARD
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
(504) 599-0319
| FEBRUARY
19, 2004 |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Louisiana
Supreme Court Justice Catherine D. "Kitty" Kimball was
presented the Alton E. "Jake" Hadley Award from the Louisiana
Association of Drug Court Professionals today at an awards
ceremony taking place during the 2004 Louisiana Drug Court
Conference, in New Orleans February 18-20, 2004.
In accepting the award
Justice Kimball said, "Drug courts are doing great things
for the people of the state of Louisiana. They encourage educational
and personal betterment of participants whose lives have been
stalled by the addictions they face. The Louisiana Supreme
Court Drug Court Office is proud to take part in this growing
and successful force in modern jurisprudence which means a
new beginning for so many."
The Alton E. "Jake"
Hadley Award was created in 2000 to honor former Department
of Health and Hospitals' Office for Addictive Disorders Assistant
Secretary Jake Hadley for his outstanding contributions to
the drug courts in Louisiana. Hadley was instrumental in the
early stages of development and implementation of the Louisiana
drug court system. He was the first recipient of the award.
Justice Kimball received
both her undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State
University. From 1982-1992 she served as a judge of the 18th
Judicial District Court and held the position of Chief Judge
during her last three years there. In 1992, Justice Kimball
became the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, the
state's highest court, and was re-elected in 1998 without
opposition. During her years at the Supreme Court, Justice
Kimball has been involved in the administrative aspects of
the judicial system and participates in court programs addressing
domestic violence, criminal justice information systems, juvenile
justice reform, families in need of services in addition to
drug courts.
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