Court of Appeals of Georgia

Court Centennial Committee Meeting

April 27, 2005

Third Floor Conference Room

Judicial Building

Atlanta, Georgia

Attendees:	Chief Judge John H. Ruffin, Jr.,, Chair

Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes	Mr. Charles R. Adams, III, Attorney

Mr. Lendon Gibbs, Attorney	Mr. Robert Feagin, Attorney

Ms. Marjorie Girth, GSU	Mr. Harold Melton, Governor's Office

Ms. Jane Martin, AOC	Mr. Bob McAteer, COA

Ms. Dianne Joy, COA	Ms. Holly Sparrow, COA

1.	The Chairman brought the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. After a welcome and introductions, the Agenda was approved and Judge Ruffin asked the Program Subcommittee to make the first report.

2.	The Program Subcommittee members reported that they had made some preliminary surveys of attorneys and others as to the suggestions that had been made at the last meeting. There was a consensus that a dinner with a prominent speaker, perhaps a U.S. Supreme Court Justice, should be arranged. They indicated they had waited to see the results of the work of Ms. Joy before setting out further specifics.

3.	The Chairman distributed a short description of the events he felt could be beneficial and a description of the lessons the Centennial events should impart to the public. See Attachment I. Judge Ruffin emphasized that the public should be involved in the events not just lawyers. There was general agreement to the distributed list.

4.	Concerning holding oral arguments around the state, Judge Ruffin pointed out that some panels of the Court of Appeals were already initiating efforts to hold arguments around the state. Upon an inquiry by Mr. Adams as to whether these arguments would be held at the law schools, Judge Ruffin stated that he thought the arguments should be planned as community events, and, therefore, be held in local courthouses although the law schools have not been excluded as possible sites. Mr. Adams then volunteered to contact the Macon Bar Association as to the possible use of the Bibb County Courthouse.

5.	Judge Barnes commented that she thought an essay or oratorical event that involved children would be an excellent idea since it offers an opportunity for children to be exposed to the court in a non-threatening manner.

6.	Jane Martin volunteered that she had spoken with the Georgia Civil Justice Foundation and the foundation is willing to help in any educational activities of the Centennial Celebration if they are given a concrete proposal.

7.	The Chairman suggested that the Law Related Consortium would also be a good resource for the Court to use in such activities.

8.	Ms. Joy asked if there would be any reward for students connected to the essay or oratorical activity that was proposed. Judge Ruffin pointed out that the Court could only provide recognition. Mr. Gibbs suggested that if outside funding is available, it could fund a reward or scholarship. Ms. Girth stated that, at a minimum, copies of the Court History could be provided to the winning students.

9.	In reference to providing children information on the Court's history, Judge Barnes proposed that the Court create a brochure for children that would focus on the Centennial and would be both shorter in length and have simpler text, thereby, making the court history more accessible to younger children.

10.	The discussion next centered around what age group should be targeted in an essay or oratory competition. Jane Martin noted that the subject of debate is first taught in middle school, and, therefore, middle school might be an appropriate age group. Ms. Girth proposed that an essay contest be considered for middle school age students and a mock appellate argument for the high school level. She stated that the Younger Lawyers Group should be contacted as a resource since it conducts the annual mock trial contest. Judge Ruffin suggested that this event be coordinated with the Law Related Education Consortium of which he is a member and Judge Harris Adams serves as Chair.

11.	The Chairman, thereafter, asked for the report of the Speaker's Subcommittee. There was a short discussion of which events would need speakers and who would be the best speakers. Judge Ruffin suggested U.S. Supreme Court Justice Kennedy since he is the Justice assigned to this circuit. He stated that Justice Kennedy is a good speaker and has visited the area several times. The members agreed that a government-employed speaker, who would not have a speaker's fee, would be the best choice. Other possible speakers mentioned were Judge Burkett, Judge Kaye of New York, Mr. Griffin Bell and Judge Marion Pope. Judge Barnes noted that Judge Pope has a Georgia following and would be a significant draw. Ms. Joy, in agreement, pointed out that having a speaker from the Court would be a significant benefit to the celebration.

12.	Judge Ruffin requested Mr. Adams, the subcommittee chair, to take these comments and bring back a proposal to the next meeting.

13.	Several suggestions were discussed concerning a public service television program which might use portions of the Court's video or present a panel of the Court's judges for a question and answer forum. The possibility of distributing the Court's video to public service cable stations and GPTV was also proposed.

14.	The Chairman indicated that, with the full committee's agreement, he would work with the Program Subcommittee to assign specific members to return with specific proposals for each type of event at the next meeting. These proposals would include the activity description, locale, speakers, timelines, the amount of funding, and potential sources of such funding, etc.

15.	Judge Ruffin next asked Mr. Gibbs to present the Finance Subcommittee report, noting that the Court cannot itself raise money for the celebration. Mr. Gibbs recommended that as a legacy of the celebration, the Court might take the opportunity to create the means to have a long term education program. To accomplish this, he proposed creation of a foundation of ten prominent members who could assist with fund raising. Judge Pope would agree to be the Chair. There was a discussion of other possible individuals who might be called upon to sit on such a foundation board. Mr. Gibbs felt that the foundation, if created, could possibly raise $100,000 to $150,000 during this year.

16.	Judge Ruffin commended Mr. Gibb's idea and noted that the Committee would receive this report as information. Judge Ruffin indicated he would present the suggestion to the full bench of the Court of Appeals.

17.	Judge Ruffin asked Ms. Joy to provide a review of the proposed timeline and an evaluation of whether the committee's work is timely. She reported that if the planned events could be determined by June 1, 2005 and the school project by August, 2005, the celebration would be on target. Otherwise, she felt the committee might run into problems. She pointed out that it is not too early to obtain speaker commitments for events, particularly, if any prominent national or speakers employed outside of government are to be contacted.

18.	After discussion of the timeline, the Chairman asked Mr. Melton if he would coordinate seeking a Governor's proclamation for a Court of Appeals Day. He promised to do so.

19.	Lastly, Judge Ruffin asked Mr. McAteer to give the committee an update on the video project. Mr. McAteer stated he had completed 12 interviews including retired judges and former President Carter. He explained that a decision on the Court's grant application to the Georgia Civil Justice Foundation would soon be made.

Thereafter, there being no further business, Judge Ruffin adjourned the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________________

Holly K. O. Sparrow
Deputy Court Administrator

Court of Appeals of Georgia

Minutes approved by the Court Centennial

Committee on the_____ day of , 2005