In Recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the National Center for State Courts
Resolution 1: In Recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the National Center for State Courts
WHEREAS, in the 1960s the caseloads and workloads of the state courts grew significantly creating the need for improved professional administration of those courts; and
WHEREAS, Chief Justice of the United States, Warren E. Burger, in remarks at the National Conference on the Judiciary in Williamsburg, Virginia, in March 1971, called for a national clearinghouse – a national center for state courts – to serve all the states seeking to improve justice at every level; and
WHEREAS, with the leadership of the Conference of Chief Justices, the National Center for State Courts was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on June 15, 1971; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the National Center for State Courts is to promote the Rule of Law and to improve the administration of justice in the state courts of the nation and around the world; and
WHEREAS, the National Center for State Courts became the secretariat for the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Courts Administrators in 1975 providing professional staff leadership and support to advance the missions of the conferences; and
WHEREAS, the National Center for State Courts conducts empirical research on issues affecting the administration of justice in the state courts, provides education and training programs for judges and court staff, offers technical assistance to courts implementing improvements while serving as the clearinghouse for information about the state courts; and
WHEREAS, throughout the last five decades the National Center for State Courts has led projects to reduce delay, backlog, and expense in court proceedings, to improve court structures and processes, to apply business administration practices to courts, to foster the adoption of cutting-edge technology, to improve access to justice, and to increase public trust and confidence in the state courts; and
WHEREAS, the National Center for State Courts has also worked to institutionalize long-range planning capabilities in the courts, to support the concept of procedural fairness, and to advance sound governance and greater accountability through performance standards in courts in order to maintain the independence of the judiciary; and
WHEREAS, the National Center for State Courts functions as a source for innovative solutions, as a national forum for experts and practitioners to engage on issues affecting the state courts, and provides leadership on issues national in scope which affect the state courts; and
WHEREAS, for fifty years the National Center for State Courts has devoted its work and professional expertise to maintaining fair, impartial, and independent state courts which are vital to preserving a stable democracy in this country;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators do hereby acknowledge, recognize, and thank the National Center for State Courts for its service and contributions to improving the administration of justice in the state courts of this nation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary, the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Courts Administrators extend heartfelt congratulations to the National Center for State Courts for five decades of exceptional leadership and service to the state courts and further offer their best wishes for continued success in the years ahead.
Adopted as proposed by the CCJ Board of Directors and the COSCA Boards of Directors at the CCJ/COSCA Annual Meeting on July 28, 2021.