Tricky State Lobbying & Gift Laws 

At the end of last month (June), the Public Affairs Council hosted a teleconference on State Lobbying and Gift Laws in which Elizabeth Bartz, President and CEO, State and Federal Communications was the featured speaker. Her theme, “Tricky State Lobbying and Gift Laws,” covered numerous topics within the 50 different states. 

        The teleconference garnered more than 100 participants and was a wonderful success for all parties. Elizabeth provided a number of examples of various situations that were “tricky” and required careful planning. Participants were also able to ask questions regarding their specific needs. Thank you to all who participated and we look forward to participating again in the future. 

ALERTS Client Profile 

State and Federal Communications welcomes another new ALERTS client… Symantec Corp., is the global leader in information security and availability, helping customers secure and manage their data. This year the company marks its 25th anniversary since in founding in 1982 by a team of visionary computer scientists. Through the years, as technology and business evolved, so did Symantec. Today the company employs more than 17,500 people around the world in 40 facilities with headquarters in Cupertino, California. 

According to the company’s website on public policy, “Symantec participates in shaping public policy around issues that affect its industry, business, products, and customers. We partner with business and trade organizations and work with local, regional, and national lawmakers and government agencies to influence policy and legislation. These activities allow Symantec to better accomplish its mission to protect the integrity and unimpeded flow of the world’s information. The public-policy issues we face are broad and cover many aspects of consumer privacy, cybersecurity, and intellectual property protection.” 

We are pleased to welcome Symantec to our roster of ALERTS clients. 

Landmarks Series – 
The U.S. Supreme Court Building, a symbol of Democracy

This article is the 2nd in series that focuses on historical and/or significant landmarks. 

The following information was gleaned from several sources: the website architecture.about.com, and from a booklet prepared by the Supreme Court of the United States, published with funding from the Supreme Court Historical Society.

 “The Republic endures and this is the symbol of its faith.” These words, spoken by Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes in laying the cornerstone for the Supreme Court Building on October 13, 1932, expressed the importance of the Supreme Court in the American system. Yet surprisingly, despite its role as a co-equal branch of government, the Supreme Court was not provided with a building of its own until 1935, the 146th year of its existence.

A brief history

Historically, the very first bill introduced in the United States Senate was the Judiciary Act of 1789. It divided the country in 13 judicial districts, which were further organized into the Eastern, Middle, and Southern "circuits." The 1789 Act called for the Supreme Court to consist of a Chief Justice and only five Associate Justices, and for the Court to meet, or "sit" in the Nation's Capital. The Court first met in the Merchants Exchange Building in New York City in 1790, then the nation's capital.

The Court then moved later that year to Philadelphia when the national capital was moved there. In 1800, when the federal government moved to its permanent capital in Washington, the Court again followed suit. Congress lent the Court space in the new Capitol Building for a time. After the British set fire to the Capitol during the War of 1812, the Court convened for a short period in a private house. Following this, the Court returned to the Capitol for the next 100+ years.

A new, final home

It was finally in 1929 that Chief Justice William Howard Taft, who had been President of the United States (1909-13), persuaded Congress to authorize construction of a permanent home for the Court. Architect Cass Gilbert was charged by Chief Justice Taft to design “a building of dignity and importance suitable for its use as the permanent home of the Supreme Court of the United States.”

Gilbert was most noted for his work at the time in pioneering the skyscraper. The US Supreme Court Building was the last project of his career, and was truly a team effort by members of his firm. He died in 1934, one year prior to its completion.

The neoclassical style of the building was chosen to reflect democratic ideals and to harmonize with nearby congressional buildings. The building was designed on a scale in keeping with the importance and dignity of the Court and the Judiciary as a coequal, independent branch of the United States Government, and as a symbol of “the national ideal of justice in the highest sphere of activity.”

The building’s sculpted pediments tell allegories of justice and mercy. At the West Side, the main entrance faces the Capitol building. Sixteen marble Corinthian columns support the pediment. Along the architrave (the molding just above the columns) are the engraved words, "Equal Justice Under Law." Here, Robert Aitken carved sculptures to represent Liberty seated in a throne and guarded by figures whom represent Order and Authority.

At the East Side, an area that tourists don't often see, the words "Justice the Guardian of Liberty" are carved in the architrave above the columns. The sculptures in the pediment, carved by Herman A. McNeil represent three great lawmakers: Moses, Confucius, and Solon. These figures have stirred controversy because the central figures were drawn from religious traditions, however McNeil countered that "Law as an element of civilization was normally and naturally derived or inherited in this country from former civilizations. The 'Eastern Pediment' of the Supreme Court Building suggests therefore the treatment of such fundamental laws and precepts as are derived from the East."

Construction was begun in 1932 and completed in 1935. The building rises four stories above the terrace or ground floor. Marble was chosen as the principal material to be used.

It is interesting to note that the Court Building cost less than the $9.74 million that Congress had authorized for its construction. And, all furnishings were also procured within this cost, even though planners had expected the project would require additional appropriations. Upon completion of the project, $94,000 was returned to the Treasury!