About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

41 Third Branch 1 (2009)

handle is hein.journals/thirdbran41 and id is 1 raw text is: 2008 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary This past November, the Smithsonian Institution completed an acclaimed renovation of its National Museum of American History, which houses many of our Nation's most treasured historical artifacts. The highlight for many visitors is the Star-Spangled Banner Gallery, which provides a permanent home for the garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry on the morning of September 14, 1814. The appearance of the flag at dawn marked the success of Amer- ican soldiers in repulsing a British attack during the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the song that has become our national anthem. The Smithsonian Institution has painstakingly preserved this fragile flag. It lies solemnly unfurled behind a glass wall in a darkened conservation chamber. The flag bears scars from the pitched battle, but it also shows blemishes, regret- tably, from later neglect. The stripes are frayed, the canton is worn, and one of its fifteen stars has gone missing. Souvenir collectors during Chief Justice the nineteenth century snipped away fabric from its edges. This tattered flag neverthe- less inspires deep reverence. Why? Because it speaks eloquently to the sacrifices of every American who has contributed to the preservation of the United States. Our country wisely preserves and maintains its national symbols. As citizens, we should strive with no Jess determination and vigor to preserve and maintain rohn what our flag signifies and our anthem celebrates. The Constitution that secures the freedoms we hold dear endures not only because it enables self-government, but also because individuals come forward to participate in the function of governing, through voting and jury duty, through military and civilian service, and through elected and appointed office. A great government depends on all its citizens to contribute their talents and ideals in response to their Nation's call. The Judiciary depends on such people, who have made Amer- ican courts the envy of the world and the model for new democra- cies. As I have previously pointed out, however, widespread esteem is no reason for complacency. In last year's report, I identified my goals of strengthening the Judi- ciary by promoting greater inter- Branch cooperation, maintaining high standards of judicial conduct, and restoring fair compensation for federal judges. This year, as the G. Roberts, Jr. Nation faces severe economic strains, I would like to note briefly what the dedicated men and women in the Judiciary are doing to control the costs of administering justice. The Judiciary, including the Supreme Court, other federal courts, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and the Federal Judicial Center, received a total appropriation in fiscal year 2008 of $6.2 billion. That represents a mere two-tenths of 1 percent of the See Year-end Report next page W' U, _ -_AW _W. - .-, '. 1 -:IN7 N--N mom Newsletter of the Federal Courts Vol. 41 Number I January 2009 BRANTCH

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most