Travis County Commissioners Court
May 10, 2005
Item 2
2. Approve proclamation recognizing law day in Travis County. Okay?
>> you are here to receive this, right?
>> I am, sir. It reads: whereas law day is a celebration of our great heritage of liberty, justice and equality under law; whereas one of our -- one of the principles we have fought for in the revolutionary war was the right to trial by jury, the declaration of independence pointed out that george iii had deprived americans "in many cases of the benefits of trial by jury"; whereas a jury of one's peers is a cornerstone of american democracy, along with voting, it's one of the main ways people take part in the public life of this nairtion; whereas in many cases trial by jury is guaranteed by the constitutions of the united states and the state of Texas; whereas jurors may decide whether defendants or guilty or not guilty, liable or not liable, whereas the decisions that jurors make affect millions of lives every day and have a profound impact on our economy and our society by entrusting jurors from the community to decide legal issues, some of them involving millions of dollars or life and death issues, we reinforce our belief that everyday people can make the right decision and we are an open, democratic government, pardon me, and whereas through activities in our civic life provide such a direct contact with our democracy as does jury service, now therefore as we celebrate law day, 2005, we acknowledge the central role of juries and american -- in american life and we recognize the importance of educating our fellow citizens about the rewards and benefits of jury service, now therefore be it proclaimed that the Travis County Commissioners court does hereby designate Friday, may 6th, 2005, as law day and urges all citizens of Travis County to observe the designated day with appropriate ceremonies and activities and especially usual the legal profession, schools and businesses to use this occasion to dedicate our sales to preserve and strengthen the jury system and although this is a few days after may 6th, we understand the spirit of this.
>> thank you, my name is randy howry, president elect of the Austin bar association. I’m honored on behalf of the lawyers of Austin to accept this proclamation. As you indicated, this year's law day celebrates the role of juries in the american justice system. As thomas jefferson said a long time ago, I consider trial by jury as the only anchor yet imagined by man by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution. Recently, the jury system has come under attack to some extent. Lawyers and judges for that matter as well. I’m here to speak on behalf of the lawyers to let you folks know and everyone that's watching and listening that the jury system does work. It not perfect. Perhaps needs to be improved and tinkered with over time. But it does work, has worked for a long time. Folks that serve on juries in Travis County and hays county and every county across the state and across the united states try to do the right thing, and strive to do the right thing. They really want to make the right decisions for the -- for the folks involved. So we appreciate this operation, we appreciate -- this operation s probable ion. Thank you on behalf of the Austin bar association for recognizing law day, even though it's a few days late.
>> thank you.
>> better late than never.
>> that's right.
>> appreciate it.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
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Last Modified:
Wednesday, May 11, 2005 8:12 AM