Louisiana Supreme Court Building Dedication Ceremony and Open House - Press Release

<div>
                         <div class="content">
                             <div class="bcrumb">
                                 <ol class="row breadcrumb offprint">
                                     <li><a href="/">Home</a></li>
                                             <li><a href="PressRoom/2004">Press Room</a></li>

<li class="active">
Louisiana Supreme Court Building Dedication Ceremony and Open House 
                                             </li>

</ol>

</div>
                         </div>

<div id="mainbodycontent" class="col col-md-12 mainbodycontent" style="margin-top:-10px;">                    
<div align="left"><table bgcolor="#428bca" border="1" bordercolor="#357ebd" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="" width="100%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td bgcolor="#428bca" height="21" valign="middle" width="100%"><div align="center"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">2004 Press Releases </span></strong></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table width="16%"><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table></div><p>CONTACT PERSON: VALERIE WILLARD&nbsp;<br />PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER&nbsp;<br />(504) 310-2588</p><p style="margin-bottom:0;">&nbsp;</p><div align="left"><table style="background-color:#F7EBC6;cellpadding:0;cellspacing:0;width:100%;"><tbody style=""><tr valign="top"><td style="" width="38%"><span style="color:#212073;text-transform:uppercase;"><strong>October 2, 2004</strong></span></td><td width="62%"><p align="right" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><span style="color:#212073;"><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p align="left">&nbsp;</p><p align="left"><strong>Louisiana Supreme Court Building Dedication Ceremony - Saturday, October 2, 2004, Noon</strong></p><p align="left"><strong>Court Open House for members of the public and Louisiana Bar - Sunday, October 3, 2004, 1-3 p.m.</strong></p><p>United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor joined Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Pascal Calogero, Jr., the Associate Justices of the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Judges of the Court of Appeal-Fourth Circuit, as they gathered on the steps of the newly restored courthouse at 400 Royal Street for a dedication ceremony to officially designate it as the Louisiana Supreme Court Building. The event marks the return of the judiciary to Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans.</p><p>"Returning the state's highest court to this awe-inspiring building demonstrates to citizens and visitors alike that we, the people of Louisiana, value our system of justice, our rich cultural heritage and our distinctive architecture. However, let me assure you that the justices and judges who toil within these walls are fully aware that justice is not wrought by shaping marble and stone, but rather, by dedication to the rule of law and the painstaking application of mind, time and work ," said Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr.</p><p>The Beaux Arts-style building was originally built in 1910 for the Louisiana Supreme Court and the Orleans Civil District Court. The building has now been restored for multi-purpose use to house the Louisiana Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal-Fourth Circuit, the State Judicial Administrator's Office, the Law Library of Louisiana, an Attorney General's Office and, in time, a legal museum. In May 2004, following more than 20 years of planning, the Supreme Court moved back to the French Quarter courthouse that it vacated in 1958.</p><p>Also participating in the dedication ceremony, emceed by Ambassador Lindy Boggs, were Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu, Attorney General Charles Foti, Jr., Mayor Ray Nagin, Louisiana Division of Administration Commissioner Jerry Luke LeBlanc, Louisiana State Bar Association President Michael McKay, and representing the Louisiana Supreme Court Historical Society, Judge Eldon Fallon. Stirring musical performances by United States Marine Corps Reserve Band and the Franklin Avenue Baptist Choir of New Orleans underscored the dignity and excitement of this important day in Louisiana history.</p><p>As part of the ceremony, on behalf of the Court, Chief Justice Calogero presented U.S. Supreme Court Justice O'Connor with a watercolor print of the courthouse. Additionally, by proclamation, Mayor Nagin officially declared October 2, 2004 as "Sandra Day O'Connor Day" in New Orleans.</p><p>When the ceremony ended, the courthouse doors were opened for invited guests and the public to tour the public areas of the Louisiana Supreme Court Building. On Sunday, October 3, 2004, an Open House will be held from 1 pm. - 3 p.m. for members of the public and the Louisiana Bar who are encouraged and welcome to tour the building.</p><p align="center">- 30 -</p><p>&nbsp;</p>
                </div>

</div>