LADIES AND GENTLEMEN , T HE FLO RIDA S UP REME COU RT .

PLE AS E REM AI N STA ND ING FOR THE PLE DG E O F A LLEG IA NCE .

ALL : I P LEDG E A LLEG IA NC E T O THE F LAG OF T HE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR W HICH I T S TA NDS, ONE NATION , U ND ER G OD , IND IVIS IBLE , W IT H L IB ERTY A ND J USTI CE F OR ALL. >> NOW Y OU M AY S IT .

PLEASE B E SEAT ED .

I W OULD F IRST L IK E T O C AL L U PO N THE R EV EREN D D r. TOM P RI CE T O GIVE T HE I NVOCAT ION.

LE T US PR AY . O H , GOD A S O F OL D AND T HROUGH T HE Y EA RS Y OU 'V E A N NOI NTED L EADE RS , JU DG ES AND P ROPHET S T O GUI DE THE PEO PLE FOR THEIR WELL- BE ING. SO NOW W E B ESEC H YO U T O L AY YOU R G UI DI NG H AND FO R THO SE TO SET A PART IN P LACE S I N G REAT RES PO NSIBIL ITY. WE THANK YOU FOR ALL EXA MPLE S O F G OO D , FA IR , H ONEST GOV ER NMENT. AND ON THIS DAY W E E SPECIALL Y I NV OK E YOUR B LESS IN G O N T HOSE C HA RGED WITH INTER PRETING THE LAW AND ITS MYR IA D A ND OFT EN C OMPLEX MANIF ESTA TION S. W E PRA Y FOR T HI S H ONOR ABLE COU RT A ND T HE C ARRY IN G O UT O F I TS DUT IE S . M AY I T BE AT ALL T IMES W HATE VE R PRE SSURES M IGHT B E E XERTED ON I T A B AST O NO F I NTEGRITY AND I NCORRUPT IBIL ITY A ND COMPASSION. C OMPOSE D O F PEO PLE LO VE YOUR PEOPLE AND CAN WAL K W IT H THEM , W HO E MPAT HI ZE W ITH T HEIR SUFFERING AND S HARE THE IR J OY, WH O D REAM T HEIR DRE AMS AND SEEK T HEIR W ELFA RE . E MBOL DE N T HEM TO STA ND F AS T WHEN P OLIT IC AL P ARTI SA N SH IP W OULD D IL UTE TH E EXP RE SSIO N O F TRU E JU STICE. G IVE THE M D ISCE RNIN G MI ND S , P HYSICA L ENERG Y , BRO AD P ERSPECTIVE , L OFTY E THIC S , A ND DAU NTLE SS C OU RAGE I N THE P URSUIT OF WHAT I S BE ST A ND R IGHT AND HONORAB LE. M AY THE Y B E A ST UT E BUT NOT A RROG AN T ; S ELF- EF FACE !!ING, BUT N OT SUB SERV IE NT ; PAT IENT B UT N OT HOC H Y; STE AD FAST BUT N OT S TOJY ; U PRIG HT BUT NOT U PT IGHT I N THE IR D ELIBER ATION. WE THANK YOU FOR THE IR I NDEP EN DENCE A ND PLE DG E A S A P EOPL E T O D EFEN D T HA T P RINCIPLE . G RANT THEM TH E F REED OM THA T ONLY A COMMITMENT TO A H IGHER A UTHO RITY CAN BES TO W. A ND GIV E THEM THE S ATIS FACTION O F K NOWI NG THAT WHAT THEY D O I S I MP ORTA NT . A ND N OW U PO N H IM W HO HAS B EEN CHO SE N TO P RESI DE OVE R T HIS CO URT I N THE C OMIN G D AYS , WE IMP LORE THE G RANTING O F W IS E L EADE RS HI P Q UALITIES . M AY H E BE FI LLED W IT H DIS CRET ION , SEN SI TIVI TY , O PENNES S , F LEXI BI LITY W HEN IT I S CALL ED F OR, A ND F IR MNES S W HE N THA T IS IN O RDER . A STRON G S EN SE OF DU TY A ND T HE A BIDI NG JOY THA T C OMES F RO M D EV OTED S ER VICE . GRA NT H IM , WE PRA Y, HIS P ROTECTIO N I N Y OUR ST EAD. THE SE THINGS W E P RA Y WIT H H UMBL E T HA NK , AMEN.

AMEN.

I W AN T TO SAY J US T A LITTLE BIT MOR E, I F I MAY, B EFOR E I YIE LD T HI S P RE S S TEJ IOUS POE D - - PRE STIG IOUS P ODIUM . F RED SAI D I COU LD IF I D ID W ITH I T A LACRIT Y. I PRO MISE N OT T O TAK E TOO L ONG AND P RO MISE NOT TO TA KE U P A C OLLE CT IO N, B OT H O F WHI CH P RACTIC ES ARE C OM MONL Y A TTRIBU TED T O M ET HODI ST P REACHERS , OF TEN WIT H CA USE. I T MA Y B E THAT I 'V E KNO WN F RED AND J UD Y L EWIS A S L ONG OR AS LONG A S A NYBO DY H ERE. FIR ST MEE TING THE M WH EN THE Y W ERE UND ER GRAD UATE S TUDE NT S I N L AK ELAND. F RED C AME DOWN F RO M THE H ILLS OF WEST VIR GI NI A TO P LAY B AS KETB AL L A ND T O STU DY AND JUDY WAS A SLO W -E YE D D ARK-HAIR ED S OU TH FLO RI DA B EAUT Y, S TILL IS. AS YOU K NO W. F RED STA RR ED O N T HE B ASKETBALL C OURT , W AS C APTAIN O F T HE TEA M , H IG H S CORER, A ND A S A R ESULT OF BOTH HIS A THLE TI C AND HIS A CADEMI C P RO WE SS W AS N AMED T HE YEA R 'S H ONOR R OL L. Y OU CAN SEE HIS NAM E IN STONE I F Y OU V ISIT . HE DOE SN 'T KNO W THI S , I D ON'T THINK , BUT H E W AS T ALKED ABO UT I N F ACUL TY M EETING S I N D EFER ENTI AL T ONES . SOME OTHER STU DENT S W ER E A LSO T ALKED ABOUT BUT THEY WERE IN A D IF FERE NT CAT EG OR Y O F NOT ORIE TY . W E ALL K NE W FRE D WAS GOI NG P LACES, BUT M OST OF U S T HOUGHT H IS NEX T S POT WO ULD BE O N AN N BA B ENCH , N OT A J UD ICIA L O NE . I H AD THE G RE AT P RI VILE GE O F M ARRYIN G FRED A ND JUD Y I N M IAMI A FTER THE Y G RADU ATED A ND L ATER B APTIZE !!ING ELL E A ND L INDSEY. I GOT TO PARTICI PATE I N E LLE' S W ED DI NG A C OUPLE OF YEARS AGO, BOY, THE TIM E F LIES W HE N Y OU'R E H AV IN G F UN. I FEEL L IK E I KNO W THI S F AMIL Y. I 'VE BEEN TOU CH ED BY THE IR C LOSE M UTUA L S UPPO RT O F EACH O THER , SOMET IMES THR OUGH D IFFI CULT CIR CUMSTANCES. J UDY IS AN ANG EL . A ND FRE D , WHI LE PER HA PS L ES S A NGELIC I N THE T RADI TION AL S ENSE , HAS AS WE KNE W H E W OULD , R ISEN S TE ADIL Y IN T HE F IELD OF LA W T O B EC OM E A J URIST O F P RO MINE NT D IS TINCTION. I'M NOT QUA LIFI ED T O S PEAK O F HIS PRO FE SSIO NA L C E D ENTIAL S , BU T I K NO W F RE D - - CREDE NTIA LS , BU T I K NO W F RED L EWIS , TH E M AN, THE P ER SON, THE H UM AN B EI NG. IN THE WORDS THAT K EE P J UMPING OUT A T M E ARE , I NTEGRITY , P ASSI ON , STE ADIN ES S , D EVOT IO N , U NP RETE NTIOUSNESS , DISCIP LINE , THE COM MO N TOU CH , AND EDUCA TI ONAL Z EA L , SENS E O F F AI RNES S A RES PECT FOR T HE LAW , A COM MI T MON TH THE U NDERDOG. H IS LIFE IS F ILLE D WIT H WO RK , S TUDY, W IDE-RA NG IN G I NTER ESTS , P ER SEV ER ENCE , L OYALTY , L AUGH TE R , LOVE . T HESE A RE N OBLE Q UALI TIES . Q UALI TIES S OR EL Y NEE DE D I N O UR SOC IE TY TOD AY . H E MAY NOT B E Q UITE A RIZO NA SLE EK A BOD Y A S HE W AS A FEW Y EARS BAC K , B UT THE N YOU P ROBABL Y ARE N' T E ITHE R . [ LAUG HTER ]

I 'M D ELIG HTED T HA T FRE D LEW IS HAS B EE N SEL EC TE D T O A SSUME T HI S IMP OR TANT R ESPO NSIB ILITY. I'M H AP PY F OR H IM. I 'M HAP PY FOR H IS F AM ILY. A ND I GUESS M OS T OF ALL , I'M H APPY FOR THE P EOPL E O F F LORIDA . T HIS IS A GOO D DAY , GOD BLE SS YOU. WE KNOW WE' RE I N GOO D HANDS . [APPLAUSE]

D r. PRI CE , THA T WAS NOT I N M Y SC RIPT . AND I'LL F ORGI VE YOU F OR N OT A SK ING , MA Y I T PLE AS E T HE C OURT. NOW M Y S CR IP T DOE S SAY THA T I B EGIN T HI S C EREM ON IA L S ESSION WIT H A B ANG. T HE C ER EMON IA L SES SION OF THE SUPREME COU RT OF F LO RIDA IS N OW OFF IC IA L LY I N SES SION . AND FOR THE NEXT FEW M IN UTES I S TILL A M CHI EF JUS TI CE P ARIENTE P RESI DING , I T I S M Y P LEASUR E TO W ELCOME ALL O F Y OU T HI S AFT ER NOON . A S I S AI D T WO Y EARS A GO , I T IS N O H AP PENS TANC E THA T THE S UPRE ME COURT WOULD PIC K ON E OF THE HOT TE ST DAY S O F T HE Y EAR T O H AV E ITS CHA NG IN G O F T HE GAV EL - - PAS SING O F T HE G AVEL . AND T ODAY IS NO E XCEP TION . A ND S O WE TH AN K Y OU FOR C OMING I NT O OUR C OURT ROOM . I WIL L B E R ECOG NIZING S EVERAL P EOPLE W HO S PEAK , T O M AKE R EM ARKS W HA T I WOU LD F IRST L IK E TO D O , T HO UGH, I S REC OGNIZE T HE F ORME R J USTICE S OF T HIS C OURT T HA T A RE PRE SENT T ODAY . J USTICE SHAW , I SEE , JUS TICE M cDONAL D, I F Y OU'D A LL S TAND. IF THERE ARE ANY J USTI CE S. [ APPL AUSE] J USTICE ENG LA ND. A NY OTHER F ORME R J USTI CE S H IDING U ND ER E VE RYON ES O R W OU LD LIKE T O B E REC OGNI ZE D. A ND I KNOW THA T W E H AV E A A PPOINT ED E LE CTED O FFIC IALS , I SEE S ECRE TARY McD ONOU GH A ND T HE G OV ERNO R'S C OU NS EL , R OCKY ROD RI GUEZ, W E W ELCO ME Y OU . ARE T HERE ANY OTHER M EM BERS OF THE E XECU TIVE B RA NCH HER E T ODAY THA T W OU LD L IKE T O B E A CKNO WL EDGE D A ND R ECOG NIZE D? W ELL , WE W ELCO ME Y OU O N B EHALF O F T HE EXE CUTI VE B RANCH. AND HOW A BOUT ANY O F OUR B RETHRE N I N T HE L EGIS LA TIVE S ECTION OF THE C OURT - - O F T HE STA TE ? ALL RIG HT , WEL L , THE N IT I S O PEN SE AS ON, WE C AN SAY W HATEVER W E WAN T TODA Y. [ LAUGHT ER] THI S I S MY L AS T OPP OR TUNI TY T O S PE AK T O YOU AS C HIEF J USTICE BEFOR E I P AS S T HE M ANTEL OF R ESPONS IB IL IT Y A S HEAD OF F LO RIDA 'S J USTI CE S YSTE M T O M Y C OL LEAG UE A ND M Y F RIEN D FRE D L EW IS . A S I SAI D T WO YEA RS A GO W HE N I ACC EPTE D THE G AVEL F RO M C HIEF J USTI CE A NSTE AD , T HI S C EREMON Y AND T HI S P OS IT ION I S N OT A BOUT ANY ONE I NDIVID UAL , IT IS AB OU T THE I MPORTA NC E OF THE O FF IC E O F C HIEF JUSTI CE . AND IT WAS A DECADE AGO THA T J USTICE K OG AN DEC ID ED THA T T HE C OURT S HO UL D M AK E P UB LI C T HE P AS SING O F T HE G AV EL FROM ONE C HIEF J USTI CE T O A NOTHER. AND SO UNDER THIS C OURT 'S TRA DITI ON O F E LE VATI NG THE S ENIOR JUST ICE WHO HAS N OT YET SERVED I N TH E P OS T OF CHI EF , T OD AY MAR KS THE SIX TH P ASSING O F THE GAV EL C EREMON Y S IN CE 1 996. B EFORE 1926 AND I T H AS B EE N A T RADI TI ON THA T THE J USTICE S E LECT THE CHIEF J USTICE I N THIS STA TE . B EFORE TH AT IT WAS B Y LU CK . A ND W E ARE A S A C OURT D EDICAT ED T O WHA T W E SEE A S A DEM OC RATI C W AY O F S HARI NG RES PONSIB ILIT Y I N T HI S A WSOM E POSITION AS HEAD OF THE JUD IC IAL B RANC H. I H AVE T O SAY , I 'V E S AI D IT T O MAN Y OF Y OU, I T HAS REA LL Y BEEN A P LE ASUR E FOR ME T O SERVE A S CHI EF JUS TICE. AND I TODAY WAN T TO E SPECIA LLY THA NK ALL O F M Y C OLLEAG UE S FO R THE IR UNWAI VERING SUP PORT T HESE L AST T WO Y EARS I N E VERY E NDEA VO R T HAT I H AV E U NDER TAKEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR W HAT YOU HAV E DONE FOR M E AN D FO R T HE COURT S YS TE M . [ APPLAUSE ]

THERE I S O NL Y ONE O TH ER PER SON I 'M GOI NG T O A CKNO WL EDGE, IT IS M Y H USBA ND J UDGE F RE D A ZURI W HO H AS BEE N M Y M EN TO R AND C OLLEAG UE. BUT H E TOL D ME I HAD T HANKED H IM ENO UGH PUB LICL Y AND T HERE WAS N O NEED TO C ONTI NUE T O D O T HAT AS L ON G AS I A CKNO WLED GE T HE SIG NIFICANCE O F 2 006 WHEN T HE GAT OR S W ON T HE N CA A A ND T HE H EA T BEC AM E T HE N ATIO NA L C HAMPIONS O F THE NAT ION. [ APPLAU SE ] I L OO K ED BAC K L AS T N IG HT AT TH E VID EO TAPE OF M Y PAS S THE G AVEL CER EMON Y A ND T HERE W AS A D ISTI NC T D IF FERE NC E I N MY L OOK F OR THO SE O F YO U T HA T W ER E H ERE. MY HAI R W AS Q UI TE S HO RT . A ND A LOT O F YOU L IKED I T T HAT WAY A ND A S MOS T O F YO U K NO W , IT WAS NOT R EA LL Y A M ATTER O F ST YL E , BU T A M ATTER O F NEC ES SI TY B EC AUSE I HAD J US T FIN ISHE D MY B AT TL E W ITH BR EAST CAN CE R A ND CHE MOTH ER APY. A ND I N MAN Y W AY S IT WAS A J OURN EY T HA T I C ER TAIN LY WOU LD N' T HAV E A SKED T O U NDERTAKE , B UT I 'M GLA D IT W AS C OM PLET ED BEF OR E I A SSUMED T HE P OS IT IO N OF C HIEF JUS TI CE . AND IT LED T HE WAY TO T HI S I NCRE DI BLE J OURN EY IN THES E L AST TWO YEARS W HERE T RAVELING AROUN D THE STA TE A ND V ISIT IN G SO M AN Y O F THE C OURT HOUSES , SO M AN Y O F THE J UDGES AND SEE IN G W HA T O UR JUD GES I N T HIS S TATE D O , OUR TRI AL AND OUR JUDGE S A FFECTI NG C OU NT LESS LIV ES , E SPECIALL Y OUR MOS T V ULNERABL E, OUR C HILD RE N DA Y I N A ND D AY O UT . A ND IT HAS B EE N A T WO-Y EA R P ERIOD W HERE W E WEA TH ERED E IGHT HUR RICANES AND I P ERSONA LLY O BS ER VE D J UD GE S F ROM A ROUN D THE S TATE P ERFORMIN G HER OI CALL Y UND ER Q UITE DEV ASTA TING C ONDI TI ON S F ROM P ENSA COLA T O BRO WA RD C OUNTY. A ND K NOWING T HA T E AC H D AY T HE T HI RD BRA NC H O F GOVE RNMENT I N THE HALLS O F JUS TICE THR OUGH OU T THE STATE PERFORM ITS VIT AL M IS SI ON P ROVIDI NG FOR THE P EACE FU L RES OLUTIO N O F D ISPU TES, P ROTECT ING CON ST ITUT IO NAL RIGHTS AND UPH OL DI NG THE R ULE OF LA W. W E ARE NOW ALM OS T H ALFWAY T HROUGH THE FIR ST DEC AD E O F T HE 2 1s t C ENTU RY . A ND I B ELIE VE T HA T W E W IL L L OOK B ACK O N THI S 1 0-YE AR P ERIOD BEG INNI NG WIT H J USTI CE W ELLS T EN UR E A S C HIEF J USTICE AND CONTINUING W ITH CHI EF J USTI CE A NS TEAD A S DEF ININ G MOM EN T FOR F LORIDA'S J UDIC IAL SY ST EM, A TIME THAT W E I N OUR STA TE C OURT S T HI NK I N T ER MS O F W HAT I S BE ST F OR T HE W HOLE S YSTEM O F J USTI CE RAT HE R T HAN MER EL Y FOR O UR I NDIVIDUA L C IR CUIT S , CO UN TI ES AND D IS TRIC TS . AND I SEE SEV ER AL O F OUR J UDGES, O UR TRI AL J UD GE S AND APP ELLATE J UD GE S HERE TODAY AND I ASK T HA T THE Y P LE AS E STA ND S O WE CAN G IV E T HEM APP LAUSE AND G IVE O UR THANK S TO THEM. [ APPLAU SE ] A ND L ASTL Y M Y H OPE IS THA T IN T HIS DEC AD E WE WIL L B E R EMEMBERED N OT FOR J US T HOW F ACED T HE CHA LLEN GE S OF T HE S O CALLE D H IGH- PR OFIL E CA SE S FROM THE PRESIDE NTIA L E LECTIO N S S CHOO L V OU CHER S , BU T HOW W E T REAT ED THE L EA ST AMO NG US, O UR CHI LDRE N W HO BEC AME ENT ANGL ED I N TH E J UDIC IA L S YSTE M AND W HOSE NEEDS MUST B E ADD RE SSED A ND W HOSE VOICE S M US T B E H EARD . THAT IS W HY I H AV E B EE N A N A RDENT P ROPO NENT O F THE UNI FIED F AM ILY COUR T AND W ILL CONTINUE TO D O E VERYTHING IN M Y P OWER T O SEE THA T TH E COURT 'S U NANIMOUS END ORSE ME NT O F T HE U NIFI ED F AM IL Y COURT S TATE WI DE CONTINUES TO B E I MPLEMENTED . AND I H AV E AS I HAV E S AID SO M AN Y T IM ES , AM S O PRO UD O F T HE J UD GE S , M AGIS TRAT ES , CAS E MAN AGER S A ND COU RT A DMINIS TRATORS THAT H AV E D EVOT ED G REAT T IM E AND ENE RG Y T O M AK E THI S HAP PEN. F INALLY , MY THAN KS T O O NE A ND ALL F OR ALL OF Y OU R S UPPO RT T HE SE P AS T TWO Y EARS AND F OR D EV OTIN G Y OU R E NERGIE S T O D OING T HE VER Y B EST EA CH AND EVERY DAY TO E NSURE J USTI CE FOR ALL F LORIDIANS. A S I N OW P RE PARE T O M OV E BAC K DOW N THE B ENCH AND A S J USTICE W ELLS POI NT ED O UT , I F IT I S P OS SIBL E , T O J USTICE WELL S RIG HT . [LAUGH TER]

MAY NOT B E P OS SI BL E C ONSIDERING WHO IS MOVING. >> I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING P ART O F CHI EF J USTI CE L EWIS ' V ISIO N O F JUS TI CE, TH ANK YO U VERY MUCH. [ APPLAUSE ] >> IT I S NOW MY PLE AS UR E T O R ECOGNIZE OUR N EW LY E LECTED P RESIDENT O F T HE FLO RI DA B AR , H ANK C OX E T O S HARE SOM E RE MARKS.

MAY IT PLEA SE THE COU RT , C HIEF JUSTI CE P ARIENT E , J USTICE LEWIS , MEM BERS OF THE C OURT, M EM BERS O F T HI S G REAT P ROFESSION A ND D ISTINGUISHED GUE ST S. I W AS NOT A NTIC IPAT IN G TH E H UMOR W OULD BE A P AR T O F THE SE P ROCE EDIN GS SO I W ASN'T P RE PARE D. I W ILL S AY T HA T T HI S IS CONS IDERED TO THE F LORI DA B AR A S MOM EN TU S A N EVE NT A S W HEN MAJOR H AR DING GOT HIS A V R ATIN G. N OW IT IS A N H ONOR AND A P RIVILEGE T O A PP EA R ON BEHA LF O F OVE R 7 8, 00 0 M EMBERS OF THE F LO RIDA BAR A ND CHIEF J USTI CE PAR IENT E , Y OU HAV E HAD A CHA LLEN GING A ND S UCCESS FU L TERM A S CHIEF J USTI CE AND T HIS P RO FESS ION THANKS YOU F OR THE O PPORTU NITY NOT ONLY TO WORK WITH YOU IN THI S COU RT , BU T Y OU R SUPPORT OF THE JUD IC IA L S YSTEM AND T HE RUL E O F L AW. YOU R LE ADER SHIP HAS B EE N I NVAL UA BLE. AND J USTICE LEW IS , W E L OO K !!!!!!!! L OOK FORWARD E AG ERLY T O Y OU R T ERM A S CHI EF JUSTI CE , WE H AVE SPO KE N A BO UT I T AND T OGETHE R W E W IL L A CCOM PL ISH T HOSE GOA LS . S INCE I W AS A DMIT TE D TO TH E F LORIDA BAR THERE HAV E B EE N 15 C HI EF JUS TICE S OF T HE C OU RT . AND THE CHA NGE FRO M ONE O FTO TH E NEX T H AS B EE N J US T A S I T S AID IN THE P ROGRAM , T HE S EA MLES S AND P EA CEFU L T RANSIT ION O F TH E C HIEF JUSTICE.M Y T ENUR E ON THE F LORI DA B AR HAS PRO VI DE D M E T HE OPP ORTUNITY TO INT ERAC T WIT H M ANY OTH ER S TA TE BAR ASS OCIATIONS T HROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. A ND WIT H RESPECT TO T HE RELAT IONSHIP BETWEEN THIS PROFESSION AND OUR SUP RE ME COURT, WE ARE THE E NI I H AVE OF THE REST OF T HE NATION. MY PRIVILEG E TO HAV E ATT ENDE D THIS Y EA R'S N ATIONA L C ONFERENCE OF CHI EF J USTICES A ND A T C HI EF J USTICE'S INV IT ATIO N AFF IRMS T HE S TATE S UPRE ME COU RT S E NVY THE R EL ATIONSHIP B ETWEEN THI S PROF ES SION AND OUR L AWYERS I N TH IS COURT. J USTICE L EW IS , I C AN NO T P REDICT WHAT IS ON THE HOR IZON. WE ALL KNOW THE ISS UE S A RI SE A ND THE O NE S W E M US T C ONFR ON T A RISE DAI LY . I C AN ASS UR E Y OU J US TICE L EWIS A ND A SS UR E THE P EO PL E O F THE C OU RT A ND THE PEO PL E O F THIS STA TE T O PRO TE CT T HE I NDEP ENDENCE OF O UR JUD ICIA LA RY W ILL N EVER W AIVER , NO R WIL L T HE COM MITMENT T O PRO TECT THE I NDEPENDENC E O F L AWYE RS . AND T HE LATTER I S 1 00% DE PENDENT UPON THE F ORME R. T HE FLORI DA B AR THA NK S Y OU F OR THE P RIVI LEGE AND OPPORTUNITY T O PARTICIPATE IN THIS CEREM ON Y , WE 'RE E XCITED , W E L OO K FOR WARD T O IT AND EXT EN DS Y OU B ES T W ISHES A S THE C HIEF JUS TICE OF THE FLORIDA SUP RE ME COURT.THANK YOU.[AP PLAUSE]

THA T W AS V ERY, V ER Y GOO D O F YOU T O L IM IT T HE H UM OR S O Y OU D IDN' T MAKE T HE RES T O F U S L OO K BAD . B UT I F I H AVEN 'T SAI D IT , WHIC H I HAV EN 'T, TODA Y I S O NE O F O UR H APPY OCC AS IONS A ND SO W E D O E XP EC T LAU GHTE R AT LEA ST A T THE R IGHT PLA CE S A ND PHO TOGR AP HS A RE C ER TAIN LY W ELCOME . IT IS NOW , AGAI N, A P RIVILEGE TO R ECOG NI ZE A NOTHER D ISTI NG UISH ED I NDIVID UAL AND T HA T I S H .T . S MITH W HO I S P AST PRESID ENT OF THE NAT IO NAL B AR A SSOCIATI ON A ND T RU STEE O F TH E UNI VERSITY O F M IAMI FOR S OME R EMARKS.

THAN K YOU , JUST IC E U FT S P ARIENT E A ND T O ALL O F THE D ISTI NG UISHED JUS TICES O F T HE F LORI DA SUP REME C OURT . T HROUGH THE F IN E M EM BERS O F T HE BENCH W HO A RE P RESE NT A ND TO M Y C OM MITT ED C OLLEAGUE S AT T HE BAR A ND, OF C OURS E , T O T HE FAM IL Y AND F RIENDS O F J US TICE L EWIS , IT IS IND EE D A D EL ICIO US D ELIGHT F OR M E T O HAVE THE HON OR T O PAR TI CIPA TE I N THI S G AVEL P ASSING C EREM ONY. I H AV E A V ER Y SPE CI AL I NTERES T B EC AUSE I HAV E A LWAY S A DMIR ED J US TICE P ARIENT E F RO M A FA R A ND J USTICE LEWIS WAS M Y LAW SCHOO L MA TE A S WE LL A S M Y L AW S CHOO L BAS KE TB AL L T EA M MA TE. F OR THE R EC OR D , I MUS T ADMI T T HAT HE WAS A B ETTE R STU DENT A ND A BET TE R BAS KETB AL L P LAYER.

YOU KNOW, T HIS IS BEING R ECORDE D , ARE YOU SUR E Y OU W ANTED TO ADMI T THA T? >> I WAS HOP IN G AT LEAST JUS TICE CON VINC E WOU LD NOT -- JUS TI CE Q UI NCE WOUL D NOT H EAR THA T PA RT . I JUSTI CE L EWIS GAV E TO THE P EOPLE OF THE STA TE OF FLORIDA A JUDICIAL DIA MOND , A D IA MO ND W IT H VIB RANT C OLOR , P URE COLLA RITY , QUA LI TY C UT A ND - - CLA RITY , QUA LITY CUT A ND LOT S AND L OT S O F CARAT , A T THA T TIM E AS A AS YO U K NOW IT WAS H IS FIR ST J UD ICIAL SERVICE. I DES CRIBED THA T J UD ICIA L D IAMOND AT THA T T IM E A S A DIA MOND IN THE ROU GH . N OW SEV EN Y EARS LATER I T HINK I CAN SAY W ITHOUT HES ITATIO N T HA T THI S D IAMO ND I S N OW CUT AND P OL IS HE D AND S HINES B RIGH TL Y LIK E THE N ORTH STA R I N O UR LEG AL A FFIRMMENT. JUSTICE L EWIS TAKES THE G AVEL O F LE ADER SH IP A ND MOVES F ORWARD ASKING US, YES , W E T HE P EOPL E T O S HARE H IS V ISION O F JUS TICE AND T O J OI N THE J OURN EY T HA T WAS SO P ASSIONAT E LY R EMAR KE D U PO N B Y P ATRI CK HEN RY 231 Y EARS A GO W HE N HE S AI D I S LI GH T S O D EAR OR P EACE S O S WE ET A S TO BE P URCH AS ED A T THE P RI CE O F C HAIN S AND SLA VERY ? F ORBI D I T A LMIG HT Y GOD , FOR I K NO W N OT COU RS E W HA T O THER S MAY T AK E , B UT A S FOR M E , G IV E M E L IBER TY O R G IVE M E DEATH. YES , LIB ERTY , THE SEE D O F F REEDOM . LIB ERTY , THE C ORNE RSTO NE O F D EMOCRACY . L IBERTY , T HE T WI N SIS TE R OF J USTICE . L IBERTY AND JUS TICE FOR ALL . A ND LET'S MAK E N O M ISTA KE A BOUT IT , T HI S S IM PL E A ND N OBLE GOAL O F L IB ERTY A ND J USTICE FOR ALL HAS NOT YET B EEN ATT AI NED. I F EE L - - I BE LIEV E , I A M C ONFIDE NT T HA T W IT H THE L EADERS HI P O F J USTICE L EWIS A ND THE C OMMI TMEN T O F H IS C OLLEAGUE S WE WIL L C ONTI NU E D OW N THE R OA D T OW AR D L IBER TY A ND J USTI CE FOR ALL . JUS TICE L EWIS K NOWS J US T A S H IS P REDE CE SS OR S T HAT A C HIEF J US TICE CAN C HART THE C OURS E AND JEF CHI EF J US TICE C AN RALLY T HE T ROOP S , B UT S UC CESS A ND P ROGR ES S IS N OT MAD E UNL ES S YOU R COL LEAG UE S A ND W E T HE P EO PL E S HARE T HE V ISIO N . AS YOU H EARD J USTI CE L EWIS W AS A STA R A TH LETE . A ND I'M S UR E T HA T H E F ULLY U NDERSTAN D S THA T THE G REAT D WAYNE W ADE I S A N N BA S TA R T ODAY, N OT B ECAU SE O F HIS I NDIVID UAL EXC ELLE NT LEN S , B UT BEC AUSE H E UND ER ST OO D T HAT YOU H AV E TO EMP OWER Y OUR C OLLE AG UE S A ND E MPOW ER Y OUR TEA M. S HOULDE R T HE R ESPO NSIB IL IT Y W HEN T HING S G O WRO NG AND S HARE THE CRE DI T W HE N T HI NG S G O R IG HT . THE SE ARE THE A TT RIBUTE S O F O UR NEX T C HIEF J USTI CE . T HESE -- T HIS IS THE C LOTH F ROM WHICH F RE D LEWIS IS C UT. I FEE L CON FI DENT THA T J USTICE L EW IS A LONG W IT H H IS GRE AT COL LEAGUE S WIL L AD VANCE THE CAUSE O F J USTI CE . I FEE L C ONFI DENT H AVIN G H EARD THE ARG UM EN T VIR GI L H AWKI NS ONE , TWO AND T HREE A ND SEE W HA T T HI S C OURT DID A ND V IRGI L P OS THUM OU S LY E ADVANCES THE C AUSE O F EQU AL JUS TI CE F OR ALL. AND S O J USTICE LEWIS A S YO U T AKE P OSSE SS IO N O F T HA T H UG E G AVEL , A ND THE HUG E R ESPO NS IBILITY THAT COM ES W ITH I T , IT I S M Y W IS H T HA T T HE SUN W IL L A LWAY S S HINE O N Y OU R V IS IO N OF JU STIC E FOR A LL, THAT THE S TARS WIL L P ROVIDE YOU THE GUI DE FOR Y OUR T RA VELS ARO UN D THE S TATE A ND THA T T HE WIN D WIL L ALWAYS BE A T Y OU R B AC K. M AY G OD BLE SS Y OU , M AY G OD B LESS Y OU R DIS TI NGUI SHED COLLEAGUES, MAY GOD A LWAY S B LESS THE S UP REME COURT OF FLORIDA.THANK YOU.[ APPLAUSE]

THANK YOU FOR T HOSE S TIRRIN G WORDS . A ND I A M S O GLA D THA T M Y HUS BAND T AUGHT ME W EL L , SO I KNO W WHO D . W AD E I S . THE NEX T S PE AKER T HA T I WOULD L IKE T O R EC OGNI ZE I S S OMEB OD Y THAT N EEDS NO I NTRODU CTION, H E' S BOB BUT TERWORTH , T HE F ORME R F LORI DA ATT ORNEY GENERAL AND C URRENT DEAN O F S T. THO MA S U NIVERSIT Y SCHOOL O F L AW , D EAN B UTTE RW OR TH. [ APPL AU SE]

MA Y I T P LEAS E THE COU RT? IT I S R EALL Y V ER Y HUM BL IN G TO B E H ER E T ODAY AND J USTICE L EWIS I R EA LL Y W AN T T O THAN K YOU FOR ASK ING M E T O S PEAK AFT ER H .T . S MITH . [ LAUGHTER ]

SINC E M Y G OOD F RIEN D H.T . H AS S AI D EV ERYT HI NG I WAN T T O SAY , M UC H M OR E ELO QU ENTL Y I E VER CO UL D H AV E S AI D I T , B OTH CHI EF J UD GE WAS SAY ING I'M S O GLA D Y OU'R E F OLLO WING H .T. , HE S AI D I I HAV E H AD T O DO IT ONC E BEF OR E AND S AID LET'S F LI P A COI N . T HE T RANS ITIO NS ARE A N I MPORTA NT P AR T O F LIF E. T HEY G IV E U S AN OPP OR TUNI TY T O T AK E T IM E T O S TO P , T O R EFLECT A ND LOO K A T BOT H THE P AST AND THE F UTUR E. T HIS G IV ES U S A C HANC E TO L OOK B AC K A T WHAT H AS ALR EADY B EE N A CCOM PLIS HE D , MUC H B Y T HIS SU PREM E CO UR T AND ITS C HI EF S. I T I S TIM E TO STOP AND T O T HANK C HIEF JUS TICE BAR BARA P ARIENT E FOR THE E XT REME LY N ORMS AMOUNT O F TIM E THA T S HE HAS D EDIC AT ED AND S TILL I S T OW AR D A U NI FIED F AMIL Y CO URT AND IMP RO VE D J UV ENIL E J USTICE S YSTEM AND A D IV ER SE C OURT S YSTEM. W E SEE C RE ATIV IT Y , P AS SION , E FFICIENCY AND I NCLU SI ON . AN D W E T AK E T HI S O PP OR TUNI TY T O , C HIEF P ARIE NT E T O T HANK Y OU FOR Y OU R H ARD W OR K AND M ANY, MAN Y S UC CESS ES, TH ANK YOU. [ APPLAU SE] >> IT IS A LS O T IM E T O S TO P A ND C EL EB RATE JUS TI CE F RE D L EWIS BEI NG N AMED I N A FEW M OMENTS A S C HIEF J USTI CE . A ND W E TAK E T HIS OP PORT UN IT Y T O R EMEM BER W HO HAS BEE N THE P AST AS W ELL AS W E BEGIN T O SET EXP EC TATI ON S FOR THE F UTUR E . R EVEREN D TOLD U S A BOUT HIS BAC KGRO UND A T FLO RIDA S OUTHER N . S O TH EY WOU LD S AY , I REMEM BE R FRE D L EW IS A S A N O UT STAN DING ATH LETE , IN ACA DEMICS AND ALSO A LEA DE R. F ORMER LAW SCH OO L CLA SSMA TE S R EMEMBE R F RE D L EWIS ' SE RV IC E TO THE STU DENT BAR , HONOR C OUNSEL AND MUC H , MUC H M OR E. T HE L EGAL C OMMU NI TY R EM EMBERS JUS TI CE L EWIS ' E ARLY Y EARS I N PRI VA TE PRA CTICE AND NOW CAN SEE S TATEWIDE EFFORTS I N THE ARE A O F T EA CHIN G , P ROMO TING A BET TE R UND ER STAN DING O F O UR GOV ER NMEN T A ND P ROVI DI NG O PEN A CCES S J UD ICIA L O FF ICER S. A ND ALS O, H IS S ERVICE T O THE B AR A ND A LS O SER VI CE O N T HE F LORIDA COM MISSION ON LEG AL N EE DS OF CHIL DR EN AND H IS M ANY A WA RD S FOR S ERVI CE AND P UBLI C T RUST . S TUDENTS O F T HIS STAT E SEE A N I MPOR TA NT P ER SO N WHO IS V ERY A PP ROAC HABL E WHO A CTUALL Y L ISTE NS TO THE M W HO O BVIOUSLY CAR ES ABOUT WHA T T HE Y TH INK AND W HO T AKES THE T IME T O G O TO THEM . Y OU'LL H EA R AB OU T I T LATER , A LL ACR OSS THE STA TE ON A R EGUL AR B AS IS, THE S TUDE NT S O F T HI S S TA TE S EE A R OL E M ODEL . E DUCATORS , M AN Y OF T HE M H ER E TOD AY WHI CH W E'LL HEA R MOR E A BOUT L AT ER , S EE H IM A S A ROL E MO DE L A ND A T EA CHER O F T EACH ERS. CHILD REN , A DU LTS AND T HEIR F AMILIES W HE THER THEY' RE SICK, D ISAB LE D OR VI CTIM S O F I NJUS TI CE , T HE Y SEE A S M AN Y HOU RS O F PRO B ON O S ER VICE AS WELL A S A S BOA RD SER VI CE W ITHI N I NS TI TUTIONS SUC H A S M IAMI CHI LD RE N'S HOSP IT AL . THE PUBLIC S EES A WARD S A ND C OMMUNI TY SER VI CE A CHIEVE ME NT S REA LLY TO O MA NY , TOO MAN Y TO E VE N A TT EMPT , BUT A F EW A Y EAR , EVE RY DA Y H ERO , G RE AT A ME RI CA N , LA W A ND E DUCA TION AWA RD , G UARDIA N OF THE CON ST ITUT IO N A WARD AND M OS T REC ENTL Y E DUCA TION FOR D EMOC RA CY A WARD. WE A T S T. T HO MA S UNI VE RSIT Y OF LAW T RULY SEE THE E DUCATI ON JUS TICE , THE L EADERSHIP JUS TI CE , T HE COM PASSIO NATE JUSTI CE COM MITTED TO THE S UCCE SS O F O UR STUDE NT S W HO WHO S HARE S H IS E XP ERTISE O N O UR S CHOO LS'S B OARD O F A DVIS ER S , WE SEE A J URIS T WH O TAK ES T IME F RO M H IS VER Y B US Y S CHEDULE C OM ING TO OUR C AMPU S TO SP EA K A ND M ENTO R O UR STU DENT S. A ND ALS O SPE NDIN G TIM E WIT H T HE YOU NG S TUDE NTS OF T HE PAL M S PRIN GS M IDDL E S CH OOL W HICH W E HAV E P AR TNER ED W ITH F LEW T HE M OO T C OU RT - - THR OUGH T HE M OO T C OU RT C OMPE TITION AND B E R OLE M ODELS T O THEM . W E SEE A V ISIONA RY , WE SE E AN ADVOC ATE. WE SEE A P ER SO N WHOSE SIG NI FI CANT E FFOR TS O N BEHALF OF EDUCATION AND THELAW IN OUR STATE ARE WOR THY NOT O NL Y OF O UR SUP PO RT B UT A LSO O F O UR LAW S CH OO L' S H IGHEST HON OR , HAVIN G B EE N AWARD ED A N H ONOR AR Y D OCTO R R AT OF LAW D EGREE. IN SHORT , A NY ON E CAN S EE T HAT JUST ICE L EWIS I S A F AMIL Y MAN AND CIVIC L EADE R , A PER SO N OF COU RAGE , D EDICATIO N I N T HE PUR SUIT O F J USTICE AND SER VICE TO HIS F ELLOW M AN . T ODAY AS WE C ELEB RATE THI S T RANSITIO N , A S THE G AVEL I S P ASSE D O NC E MO RE A ND A S W E T URN T O T HE F UTUR E, W HA T CAN W E EXP EC T F RO M JUS TICE LEW IS ? N OTHING L ESS THAN BEF OR E , N OTHING L ES S THA N A BSOL UT E E XCEL LENT L ENS. I NOTIC E YOU HAVE T HREE OF US FRO M THE UNI VERS IT Y O F M IAMI THA T A RE MAK IN G C OM MENTS O N Y OUR BE HALF . D URING F OOTB ALL SE ASON Y OU AND I WOULD BE A LONE , B ACK-TO -BACK A GA INST ALL THO SE GAT OR S AN D A GA INST A LL T HOSE SEM IN OLES . W E W ER E T HERE , NO W THERE ARE F OUR O F U S , IT WAS T WO O F U S. I F IT IS A PPRO PR IATE, I F NO T , IT IS OKAY.

Y OU M EAN YO U'RE GOI NG T O DO IT A NYWA Y ?

I 'L L TAKE M Y BALL A ND G O HOM E , IF I T I S NOT A PPROPR IATE . F RED L EWIS , CHIEF JUD GE N UMBER 52 . B OB B UTTE RWORTH , A .G . , N UMBER 33. [ AP PLAU SE] C ONGRATUL ATIONS, M Y F RIEND , C ONGRAT ULATIO NS. [ APPLAU SE ]

WE 'R E GOING T O C ALL O N H.T . S MITH A GAIN - - NO , JU ST K IDDING. [ LAUGHTER ] T HANK Y OU VERY MUC H D EA N B UTTERW ORTH . AND JUST FOR T HE REC OR D , N EXT T IM E T HE NAM E' S P ARIE NT E . I NOW C ALL U PO N THE CHI EF J UDGE O F T HE L ARGEST C IRCUMS TANCE K NI T T HE S TATE OF FLORIDA, O UR F RIEN D AND L EADER CHIEF J UDGE JOE F ARINA. [ APPLAU SE ]

MAY I T P LEAS E THE COU RT ? C HIEF J US TICE P ARIENT E , C HIEF J USTI CE-E LE CT L EW IS , MEMBERS OF T HE COURT, F RIENDS AND F AMIL Y OF F RE D L IEU WIR KS L ADIE S AN D GEN TL EMEN , O N BEH AL F O F T HE 20 C HI EF J UDGE S O F T HE S TA TE OF F LORI DA , I NCLU DI NG OUR C HAIR , CHI EF J UD GE KIM K OVASKY AND T HE C OMMI SSIO N , J UDGE STAN M ORRI S AND C HIEF J UDGE B ELVI N PER RY AND THE T RIAL J UD GE S I N D AD E C OU NT Y , A LONG WITH OUR M AGIS TR AT ES , R UBEN CARAU , I T IS A N HO NOR AND P LEASURE FOR ME TO BE HERE THI S A FTER NOON . >> O KAY, T IM E' S U P.

THAN K Y OU . FIR ST WE' RE H ER E T OD AY T O CON GRATULATE OUR FRI EN D FR ED LEW IS A ND ALS O T O THA NK OUR F RIEN D B AR BARA P ARIE NT E , AND B ASH B RARK S I W ANT T O JOI N T HE G ENER AL - - BA RB AR A , I WA NT T O JOI N THE G ENER AL'S THANK YOU T O Y OU W IT H H EARTFELT C ONSI DERA TION AND G RATITU DE O N WHA T YO U H AV E D ONE O N BE HALF O F F LO RIDI AN S , Y OU F OL LOW IN A N EXC EL LE NT T RADITION OF TWO O THER F ORME R C HIEF J US TICE S I N C HA RLIE WELLS AND HARRY L EANNES TEAD , W E APP LA UD T HE T HREE O F Y OU AND T HANK GOD F OR YOU . [APPLAUSE] - - H ARRY L EE A NSTE AD .

AND SPE CI FICA LL Y S INCE I T HASN 'T BEEN M ENTI ONED , I W AN T TO TH AN K YOU , B AR BA RA F OR THO SE A DDIT IONA L 1 14 T RIAL J UDGE S, F OR ALL T HOSE T RIAL L AW C LE RK S FOR THE S TATEWIDE T ECHN OLOG Y SYST EM, FOR THE BEN CH MARK IN G OF J UDICIA L S ALAR IE S A ND FOR Y OUR A DVOC AC Y ON BEH ALF OF T HE U NIFIED F AMIL Y COU RT C OMESET O F W HI CH I 'M A B ELIEVE R AS WELL. YOU'VE MADE OTHER I MPROVEMENTS IN O UR JUS TICE S YSTEM , A ND F OR TUNA TELY , Y OUR I NT ERES T IN AND D EDICAT ED T O C HILD RE N I S SHA RED BY O UR N EX T CHI EF JUS TICE F RE D LEWIS . W HO I S F RE D L EWIS ? W HAT IS H E ALL A BO UT ? W HAT M AKES HIM T ICK? T HIS IS W HAT F RE D' S F AM ILY AN D F RIENDS, O F W HI CH I 'M A M EMBE R , SAY ABO UT HIM . F RED L EW IS I S ON E OF THE M OST PRI NCIP LE D P EOPL E Y OU'L L E VE R MEE T. H E DOE SN 'T C OMPR OMIS E H IS P RINCIPLES . I F FRE D COMMIT S T O D OING S OMETHI NG, HE' LL DO I T WHA TEVE R I T TAK ES I NC LU DING A NY PER SONA L S ACRIFI CE T HA T N EEDS MAK IN G . F RED LEW IS I S VER Y B RIGH T , HAS A KEE N I NTEL LIGE NT A ND I S A DMIR ED B Y A LL W HO M EE T A ND GET T O KNOW H IM . W E'VE A LREADY HEARD ABOUT H IS EXC ELLE NC E O N T HE A THLETIC F IE LD , BUT S PECIFI CA LLY BEING A N ALL !!!!!! A LL-AMERICAN ATHLETE, BEI NG O NE OF THE T OP 1 5 ATH LETI C SCH OLAR S IN T HE U NITE D STATES IN HIS D AY , BEIN G THE P RESIDENT O F H IS S TU DENT B ODY , P RE SI DENT O F A S OPHOMORE