August 27, 2010
August 27, 2010
In radio address, governor praises former Justice Weaver for service to Michigan
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today praised former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver for her service to Michigan and said newly appointed Justice Alton Thomas Davis will be an advocate for all people.
"This week, Justice Elizabeth Weaver announced her resignation from the Michigan Supreme Court where she has served since 1994," Granholm said. "Justice Weaver often said that her guiding principle is to ‘do right and fear not.' And she operated by that principle. Justice Weaver has been recognized many times for her tireless efforts on behalf of children. Thanks to her hard work, Michigan has a nationally recognized juvenile justice system. She was also a leader in creating and expanding the state's drug court system."
"Judge Alton Thomas Davis shares Justice Weaver's compassion for those in need, her commitment to a fair and open court and her fierce independence," Granholm continued. "So, I was proud to appoint Judge Davis this week as the next justice of the Michigan Supreme Court."
"I know that Justice Davis, like Justice Weaver, will also ‘do right and fear not,'" Granholm said. "He's proven that throughout his service to the citizens of Michigan, first as a county prosecuting attorney then as a judge on the circuit court and the Michigan Court of Appeals. Born and raised in northern Michigan, Justice Davis has established himself as an advocate for all people regardless of their social or economic standing."
"In accepting his appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Davis said, ‘I believe that every person has a right to be fully heard, to be treated courteously, and to have their issues considered and decided without fear or favor by an impartial judge,'" Granholm said. "And that's exactly the kind of Supreme Court justice Alton Thomas Davis will be for the people of Michigan."
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available for download on the governor's Web site at www.michigan.gov/gov together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address also is available as a podcast on the Web site as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - Supreme Court
Full: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov264Full_331328_7.mp3
Edited: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov264Edit_331330_7.mp3
Quote: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Gov264Quote_331332_7.mp3
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
If you're like most people in our state, you probably don't spend too much time thinking about our Michigan Supreme Court. But the important work they do impacts all our lives every day.
In just the last year, the seven men and women who serve on the state Supreme Court have decided cases involving such critical issues as child protection, civil rights, worker safety and fair elections.
This week, Justice Elizabeth Weaver announced her resignation from the Michigan Supreme Court where she has served since 1994.
During her 36 years on the bench, including time on the probate court in Leelanau County and the Michigan Court of Appeals, Justice Weaver established herself as a tough, independent fighter for fair and balanced courts.
Justice Weaver often said that her guiding principle is to "do right and fear not."
And she operated by that principle. Justice Weaver has been recognized many times for her tireless efforts on behalf of children. Thanks to her hard work, Michigan has a nationally recognized juvenile justice system. She was also a leader in creating and expanding the state's drug court system.
It's my duty as governor to find the proper replacement for Justice Weaver on the state Supreme Court. And she left big shoes to fill.
Judge Alton Thomas Davis of the 4th District Court of Appeals shares Justice Weaver's compassion for those in need, her commitment to a fair and open court and her fierce independence.
So, I was proud to appoint Judge Davis this week as the next justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. I know that Justice Davis, like Justice Weaver, will also "do right and fear not." He's proven that throughout his service to the citizens of Michigan, first as a county prosecuting attorney then as a judge on the circuit court and the Michigan Court of Appeals.
Born and raised in northern Michigan, Justice Davis has established himself as an advocate for all people regardless of their social or economic standing.
In accepting his appointment to the Supreme Court, Justice Davis said, "I believe that every person has a right to be fully heard, to be treated courteously, and to have their issues considered and decided without fear or favor by an impartial judge." And that's exactly the kind of Supreme Court justice Alton Thomas Davis will be for the people of Michigan.
Thank you for listening.
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