我的芳鄰當上大法官
我有幸被邀請去觀禮
他的太太是牙醫(和外子算同事了)
大兒子上哈佛大學(很會划舟)
二兒子上史丹佛大學(很會打球)
大女兒上耶魯大學(去義大利沒及時趕回來)
二女兒上高中(長的比媽媽高啦!)
我一直看著他們長大的
幸福家庭!!
Senator Stout & KT
以前時常和參議員同桌吃飯的
他現在不良於行但還從賓州首都親自趕來出席
誠懇禱告
宣誓就任
新法官演講
三位法官New Judge Toothman and President Judge Nalitz, Senior Judge Grimes,
Pass the gavels to the new Judge
Toothman family
New Judge
法官夫人
Commissioners Pam Snyder & Farley
Photos on the table
Cake
***********************
http://farleytoothman.net/
Farley Toothman, Judge
Court of Common Please, 13th District
County of Greene, Pennsylvania
Courthouse
10 East High Street
Waynesburg Pennsylvania 15370
Investiture Remarks of Farley Toothman
Friday, July 10, 2009
President Judge Nalitz, Senior Judge Grimes,
Fellow Members of the Bar, Family, Ladies and Gentlemen, and distinguished friends...all.
Around this courtroom, are so many friends who have, in one way or another, made this possible. I am honored that you are here with me -- and I extend to each of you my very glad hand. This is so, even though I've been sobered this week with the heavy heart of my Mother being critically ill. Though unable to be here today, she tied the red yarn to each of the small gavels, as her way of showing a mother's appreciation to each of you. As the events of this courtroom do, my week has served me with the lessons of the best and worst, of profound personal change. And I remain grateful.
I am fully aware of the honor bestowed upon me by Governor Rendell's nomination, and I thank him. For the Senate's confirmation, I am especially grateful to Senator Stout, for his steadfast loyalty -- and his experienced understanding of a complicated process fraught with Democrats and Republicans, but who he eventually united in their vote of confidence in me. I also thank Representative Bill DeWeese.
Commissioners Pam Snyder, Dave Coder and Archie Trader, I thank-you for not only a job, but also the years of the responsibility of a County Solicitor. I will surely miss working with you and your kind staff, every day, and certainly each of the Countywide elected officials, on issues that collectively are so important to our five school districts, 20 townships and 5 boroughs. Yours all -- are the important trials and tribulations of keeping peace in our valley.
Now with Dave Coder, I deserve a personal side bar. Dave, look - after all the years of talkie talk, I couldn't have done it without you, but this is the real deal now over here, and if you love me Dave?you gotta let me go.
To my fellow members of the Bar, who are also my jury of peers, the privilege of having been confirmed is not lost on any of us here, today?and certainly, it is not lost on me. Just as a few of you did, I sought this office as a professional re-dedication to the responsible task at hand. I realize that I may not live up to your every expectation. How could I? How could any of us? From one perspective, our profession is like a "box of chocolates." Though we're all covered with the same qualifications, we are individuals, and made up of the diverse ingredients of our experience and judgment. I ask you to be kind and tolerant of the change that I am. I have regrets to live down, and expectations to live up to ... and I'm fully aware that the public will be the ultimately jury. As we continue to practice law, I will look for and know that I will find, the lessons with which, you may wish to teach.
Judge Grimes has served this Court near to perfection as it can be, and it is an honor to follow in his steps. He has delivered 23 years of firm and fair opinions of the law. I look forward to working with (and for) President Judge Nalitz and with his steady direction I shall serve the Bench with a non-partisan and singular devotion to the common good of all of our beloved County, so green.
For my parents Glenn and Katherine Toothman, today confirms that it is surely upon their shoulders that I stand. My Mother, who gave and sustained my life -- will be forever the teacher who has always sewn together the fabric her students, and of our family. Now wearing my father's robe and gavel ... the two deeply historic symbols entrusted to a judge ?Dad, as your right hand did so well in your service to your country, and the oath of this office ?I shall now try. If I don't, then my right hand will also have forgotten our handshake, as father and son.
I finish today where it all starts and all ends with me, every day, and that's with my family. Wife Ingrid - who is still my girl, the mother of our children, co-pilot of our motorhome, chief cook and bottle washer, and -- my painless dentist -- 23 years later, I am still "Forever Thine." Of course it's been no walk in the park, even though that's where we met. More like a march to her drum, really. We are surely blessed to be happy and healthy, and surrounded by our four children: George, Henry, Mary Jo and Katherine.
And to acknowledge the ties that bind all of our families, but particularly to my own brothers Harry and Glenn, and little sister Ellan (always Dad's favorite), I repeat the following final words of my Father's Investiture, 45 years ago, because they still ring true today:
"May the final Judge of us all, who can go with you, yet remain with me, give us sufficiently of his wisdom, strength and courage. That in the last accounting of our deeds, He may say to each of us "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
-- Oh God, my heart is ready.
Thank-you.
