Court Observance Week
October 13-17, 2008.  Theme:  "Justice - How You Can Make a Difference"

The Congress by House Joint Resolution 898 of the Ninety-third Congress asked President Gerald Ford to proclaim the second full week of October as National Legal Secretaries' Court Observance Week.  Each year the Education Committee chooses a theme to assist members in preparing for the Week.  This year the committee has chosen "Justice - How Can You Make A Difference?"

Webster defines Justice as the principle or ideal of moral rightness; the upholding of what is right and lawful; the quality of being fair or impartial; and the administration and procedure of law.

Justice has eluded a well defined and understood meaning.  It is a value laden word which often precludes agreement on its meaning.  It has a profound, learned, sage and exhilarating sound.  It evokes strong emotions.  The values and notions of justice that impact us today emanate and are synthesized from those commonly shared, timeless qualities of justice as described by Socrates, Lock, Hume, Machiavelli and Spinoza among others.

Warren E. Burger said:  "Concepts of justice must have hands and feet to carry out justice in every case in the shortest possible time and the lowest possible cost. That is the challenge to every lawyer and judge in America."

James Anthony Froude said "Justice without wisdom is impossible."

So what is Justice and what does it mean to you?  What can You do to make a difference in our justice system?

Here are some ideas:

1. Work with an advocacy center in your area.  There must be a disabled/Veterans center or a child advocacy center that needs help.
2. Get involved in the local politics.
3. Volunteer to help with your local bar’s pro bono program.
4. Do the judges in your area have to campaign for election ?
5. How many times have you been called for jury duty and have tried every conceivable way to get out of serving.  Serve your time and encourage others to do the same.
6. Write to your senators, representatives about an injustice that is going on in your community.

Topics for Speakers:

            Someone from the various advocacy programs in your community
           
            Have a Judge come in and let you know what you can do to help

Program Ideas:

            Tour an advocacy center

NALS Education Committee would like to share your program with other chapters and states.  Please let us know how your chapter or state celebrated Court Observance Week in 2008.