Life at Resort Nix: Washington, DC - Day 3 - Richard gets sworn in, Capitol, Air & Space

The big day finally arrived! Richard got sworn in to practice before the United States Supreme Court. What a memorable occasion! Jones School of Law arranged for this to happen. This is the first year they have done it, and it will become an annual event. Twelve lucky people were selected to be the first ones to go, beginning with the earlier graduates. Richard got a phone call a couple of months ago, as someone had to cancel, so he got the spot. Unfortunately, only one guest could accompany him on this adventure. The kids hung out with Dan and visited the Museum of the American Indian, the newest museum in the Smithsonian.

United States Supreme Court Building

Everyone arrived at the US Supreme Court building at 8:00 AM to go through security. That is the most sensitive security I have ever encountered. Even I set off the buzzer! All of the Jones grads were ushered into the West Conference Room. This room contains portraits of many of the Chief Justices. Everyone was briefed by the Clerk of the Court on what would happen in the court room, as they want everything to run smoothly. He also shared with the group, some information and history. He is only the 19th Clerk to serve the Court - they usually serve a life-time. It is also tradition for the Clerk and Magistrate to wear a morning coat as part of their attire.

The Clerk of the Court wearing his morning coat. He is briefing us all on what to expect in the court room.

Chirf Justice Earl Warren

Chief Justice Renquist

Photo of the West Conference room.

Podium in the conference room with the USSC seal on it.

The Jones School of Law group to be admitted.

Richard

Each guest was given a "guest" card to carry with them into the courtroom. Absolutely NO cell phones, cameras, or tape recorders are allowed in the courtroom. We had to leave everything in the conference room to avoid those items being confiscated by security. After about a 1 1/2 hour wait, at 9:30, the guests were taken through security - again - and then ushered in to the courtroom and seated on the front row, left side. Shortly thereafter, the admittees were brought in, after going through security again, and seated inside the railing in chairs right beneath the bench. We watched as various other press people and the general public took their places. At about 9:55, all nine Justices entered through the red curtain behind the bench and took their places. At EXACTLY 10:00 AM the clerk called the court to session "Oy Yeah Oy Yeah Oy Yeah , etc" (I can't remember exactly what he said.) After that, the clerk called on 4 people who stood to make a motion to recommend admission for 3 individuals, plus the Jones group, to practice before this court. Each name was called, the admittee stands, and then the Chief Justice accepts the motion for admission, followed by them all taking an oath as a group. This all happened in less than five (5) minutes! They immediately began the argument scheduled for that day. Here is a photo of a replica of the court room that was in the Lower Great Hall of the building.

This will be a very important case for everyone to watch and listen for the decision. There was a case in California where AT&T sold phones at a discount, but charged tax on the full price. AT&T has arbitration clauses in all of their contracts. A class action suit was filed to recover the balance of the tax that was collected wrongfully. This created the case that subsequently made it's way to the US Supreme Court. Can one file a class action law suit when an arbitration clause is in effect? If the decision is rendered that one CAN indeed file a class action suit in this instance, then that would favor the consumer. However, corporate interests lie with the opposite side of the decision - to NOT allow class action suits in this instance. If you stop and think of the implications of this decision, it is quite significant.

After leaving the court room, Richard and I wandered around the Great Hall and took some photos of the exhibits about the building. Pictured below is information on the statues that sit on either side of the steps at the front of the building. The others are replicas of the relief that encircles the top of the Supreme Court room.

It was time to link back up with Dan and the kids for lunch and to see some more sights. We had lunch at Good Stuff, which I think is the most divine hamburger joint I have ever eaten at. On we go take a tour of the Capitol:

Column that was part of the original section of the building. Notice the corn.

Original House and Senate Chamber - it was shared in the early days of the building.

Columns in the crypt - in the center there is an empty tomb that was originally intended for George Washington's remains. His family refused to allow his remains to be moved as he specified in his will that he wished to be buried at Mount Vernon, which is where his remains remain.

The Capitol dome

Close up of the painting at the top

Portion of the relief surrounding the dome - it is scenes from significant parts of the history of our country.

Washington is in the center, surrounded by 13 angels, representing the 13 colonies

Dome that was part of the original section of the Capitol

Floor surrounding the second story below the original dome.

Hall of Statues - each state gave 2 statues of significant people from their history. They are scattered throughout the Capitol with the bulk of them in this room.