By Senator
Toni Boucher
There are special moments in the legislature that
make an indelible impression. One of those moments recently
presented itself when we convened a joint session to
listen to Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers deliver her
State of the Judiciary address in the Hall of the House.
I remember my first meeting with Attorney Chase Rogers
of New Canaan over a decade ago when I was a newly elected
State Representative. As a new constituent, Ms. Rogers
of New Canaan was being recommended for appointment
to the Connecticut bench.
Back then, she was an attorney at Cummings & Lockwood
and I distinctly remember her telling me that she is
not a political person, and was not registered as a
member of any political party. As a judicial appointment
can, at times, be political in nature, we discussed
the process and other pertinent issues. I remember being
impressed by Ms. Rogers’ integrity, demeanor,
experience and intelligence. I came away from my meeting
with her convinced that she was a compassionate person
who took pride in being a lawyer and a mediator, someone
who members of her profession came to for advice - a
lawyer’s lawyer.
This successful appointment in 1998 came on the heels
of a very controversial and contentious vote to remove
a sitting judge from the bench. I drove home that night
with the sense that, at least on this day, justice was
served.
Sitting in the Hall of the House, listening to our Chief
Justice address the General Assembly on May 14th, I
could not help but reflect on why I am so proud to represent
the 26th Senatorial District. After a distinguished
career in the Superior Court, followed by the Appellate
Court, Chase T. Rogers was sworn in as Chief Justice
of the State Supreme Court on April 25, 2007. It was
a proud day for all of Fairfield County.
Chief Justice Rogers opened her remarks to the General
Assembly last week by saying that one of her primary
goals is to keep the lines of communication open among
all three branches of government, and went on to describe
some of the developments in the Judicial Branch. I urge
everyone interested in learning more about our judicial
system to take the time to read her speech posted on
the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch website at
www.jud.ct.gov.
As always, I welcome hearing from you. I can be reached
at my legislative office in Hartford at 1-800-842-1421,
or via e-mail to Toni.Boucher@cga.ct.gov.
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