DeRidder Judges Receive Bibles

DeRidder, La. –

Court presentation bible dedication by Retired Judges of America

Retired Judges of America (RJA) dedicated a Court Presentation Bible to the 36th Judicial District Court in DeRidder, Louisiana while attending and participating in a recent Installation Ceremony.
“Judges Kerry Anderson and Martha Ann O’Neal are setting a worthy example for their judicial colleagues through the acceptance of this Bible,” said RJA’s founder and President, Darrell White, a retired city judge and former military judge for the Louisiana National Guard.

Judges Anderson and O’Neal are following a tradition begun by U.S Supreme Court when 1906, Justice John Marshall Harlan, I (1833-1911), gave a Bible to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). It has become known as the “Harlan Bible” and is maintained by that Court’s Curator. Since it’s presentation, the Harlan Bible’s flyleaf pages have been signed by every justice in succession shortly after taking the oath of office. Justice Samuel Alito recently acknowledged what a “thrilling and awe-inspiring moment” it was when he signed his name alongside “all of the justices for the past 100 years.”

The Bible accepted by Judges Anderson and O’Neal on behalf of the Court is a genuine leather Thompson Chain Reference Study Bible bearing a gold imprinted cover and hand-calligraphy bookplate. Said Judges Anderson and O’Neal, “We are pleased to accept this Bible on behalf of the Court and expect that its flyleaf signing custom by successor judges will become rich tradition that will certainly enhance this Book’s value to our community over time.”

Judge White concluded, “Changing times do not change timeless truths, and history shows that the Bible has played a pivotal role in shaping America’s law and culture. One key purpose of our Constitution is to secure the blessings of liberty to our posperity. Calling attention to Beauregard Parish’s Court Presentation Bible can help secure that future here for our children and grandchildren.”

Unable to attend the presentation, Retired Judge H.I. “Buddy” Stewart of the 36th Judicial Court of Beauregard Parish, was able to take part in signing the Bible at a later day.

Retired Judges of America is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization that networks retired and former judges committed to securing the blessings of liberty to America’s next generation-our prosperity-by upholding the principles of America’s “Organic Laws” as identified by Congress (the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Northwest Ordinance and Constitution.

Source: Beauregard News, 1/15/09