DRAFT

Memorandum

To:	All Judges
From:	Chief Judge Ruffin
Subject:	Centennial Celebration Update
Date:	June 19, 2006

Preparations are continuing to go well for the remainder of the events planned for the Court's Centennial Celebration. You will find below a list of the events. The Centennial Dinner on Friday, October 6, 2006 will be the culmination of the celebration.

I. Off-site Oral Arguments

Off - site oral arguments have been held or are in the planning stages for the following locations:

John Marshall School of Law, Macon	Div. III	Held October 5, 2005.

Mercer University School of Law, Macon	Div. II	Held October 19, 2005.

County - Municipal Building, Augusta	Div. IV	Held March 23,2006.

Georgia State University School of Law, Atlanta	Div. IV	Held March 27, 2006.

City Hall, Savannah	Div. III	Held April 20, 2006.

Jackson County Courthouse, Jefferson	Div. IV	Scheduled May 24, 2006.

Morehouse College, Atlanta	Div. IV	Scheduled Sept. 29,2006.

Bulloch County Courthouse, Statesboro	Div. IV	Scheduled Sept.8, 2006.

Peach County Courthouse, Fort Valley	Div. II	To Be Announced

Mercer University School of Law, Macon	Div. II	To Be Announced

Wayne County Courthouse, Jessup	Div. II	To Be Announced

Walker County Courthouse, Chickamauga	Div. I	To Be Announced

The oral arguments at the Bulloch County Courthouse will be followed by a lunch with the local bar and a tour of Georgia Southern University and an opportunity to meet with the President.

Court of Appeals staff have prepared both a PowerPoint presentation and display boards showing the history of the Court which are being used at the off-site oral arguments.

II. Panel Discussions

On Thursday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to noon, the Centennial Committee will be sponsoring an educational program during the State Bar Annual Meeting. The topic for the panel is "Separation of Church and State". The panelists should provide a lively discussion and CLE credit will be available for the session. (Also, the State Bar will present the Court a Resolution in honor of the Centennial during the Board of Governor's Meeting.)

Later in fall, the Committee expects to have a second panel on this same topic to be held at Emory University Law School. Judge Barnes is the Chair of the Subcommittee which has organized the panel discussion.

Mini educational seminars on the topic of the "Judicial Independence " are being organized by attorney Hank Fellows which will be held at several law firms in Atlanta. Dates of these seminars will be announced in the future.

III. Oratory Contest

As a way to encourage the participation of young people in the celebration of the Centennial, the Centennial Committee is organizing an oratory contest for high school students in both public and private schools. Jill Pryor of Bondurant, Mixon, and Elmore, one of the Committee members, is the Chairperson of this Subcommittee. The plan is for the contest to take place at the State Bar Offices on September 15th and 16th with the finals taking place in the moot courtroom. Substantial scholarships for the 1st place, 2nd place and quarter final winners will be funded by the Justice Served Foundation.

IV. Centennial Book and Video

Bob McAteer with a grant from the Civil Justice Foundation is preparing a videotape on the history of the Court which will be presented at the Centennial Dinner. Additionally, with the assistance of attorney Charles Adams a book on the history is being prepared and will be published by Mercer University Press.

V. Centennial Dinner

As previously announced the Court and Justice Served, Inc. will host a Centennial Dinner at the Georgia Aquarium on Friday, October 6, 2006. Judge William Wilson of the U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas, will present a short speech, the videotape will be shown and guests will be able to tour the facility on the night of the dinner. The committee is currently busy determining the invitation list. I invite you to let me know of any individuals you would like to make sure are invited. Tickets will be $125. Further details will be available as the date approaches.

I hope this memorandum will bring you up to date as to the special activities for the Centennial Year. If I can provide you with any further information or you would like to help with any particular event, please let me know.