BILL ANALYSIS
------------------------------------------------------------
|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SCR 126|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|1020 N Street, Suite 524 | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 126
Author: Corbett (D) and Steinberg (D), et al
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
WITHOUT REFERENCE TO COMMITTEE OR FILE
SUBJECT : Chief Justice Ronald M. George
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution honors the service of Ronald M.
George as the Chief Justice of California by designating
the Civic Center Complex, comprised of the Earl Warren
Building and the Hiram W. Johnson State Office Building,
located at the Civic Center Plaza in the City and County of
San Francisco, as the Ronald M. George Justice Center.
ANALYSIS : Ronald M. George has distinguished himself as
an exceptional Chief Justice of California, responsible for
achieving unprecedented improvements in the administration
of justice in our state, and is acknowledged as a jurist
dedicated to the rule of law, intellectual rigor,
impartiality, integrity, and judicial excellence in all its
forms.
Since assuming office as California's 27th Chief Justice in
1996, Ronald M. George has provided visionary,
inspirational, and collaborative leadership that has been
pivotal in the transformation of California's court system
CONTINUED
SCR 126
Page
2
into a truly statewide system with the unifying goal of
equal access to fair and consistent justice for all in
every venue in the state.
Chief Justice George worked tirelessly with the
Legislature, and successive Governors, as well as within
the judicial branch, to maintain strong and cooperative
working relationships that were essential to accomplishing
the reforms that were central to the recognition and
operation of our state judiciary. These efforts culminated
in historic enactments resulting in state funding for the
trial courts the unification of 220 municipal and superior
courts into 58 trial courts, one in each county, and the
transfer of California's court facilities from county to
state ownership under the management of the judicial
branch.
Chief Justice George has fought to advance and protect full
and equal access to a fair and impartial justice system by
promoting statewide programs to serve the needs of all
Californians, including those whose access may be limited
by language, disability, cultural unfamiliarity, or a lack
of resources to employ counsel. He has been a consistent
voice for the unrepresented and for the fundamental
importance of judicial impartiality and independence from
inappropriate influences.
Chief Justice George has been a driving force behind myriad
branchwide initiatives, including self-help programs, pro
bono services, education in fairness and cultural
competency for judges and court staff, public funding for
legal services, interpreter services, one-day or one-trial
jury service, and plain English jury instructions. He has
worked to promote the fair and respectful treatment of all,
thereby increasing not only access to justice, but also the
public's respect for the operation and integrity of the
judicial branch of government.
The Legislature hereby designates the Civic Center Complex,
comprised of the Earl Warren Building and the Hiram W.
Johnson State Office Building, located at the Civic Center
Plaza in the City and County of San Francisco, as the
Ronald M. George Justice Center, in deep and lasting honor
to the extraordinary and exemplary service of Chief Justice
SCR 126
Page
3
Ronald M. George as California's 27th Chief Justice.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: Yes
RJG:mw 8/26/10 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
**** END ****