Today I had the joy of attending a double-feature investiture during a special session of the Texas Supreme Court, held at the Texas House of Representatives. Justice Hecht was elevated to serve as Chief Justice, to replace the outgoing Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson. Justice Jeff Brown, from the 14th Court of Appeals right here in Houston, was appointed by Governor Perry to fill Justice Hecht’s seat. Justice Scalia presided over both investitures, and issued the oaths.
Governor Perry attended, and told Justice Scalia, “We welcome you to Texas, sir. You would fit right in.” Later, Scalia noted that if he wasn’t a Virginian, he would be a Texan. Scalia also joked that he deeply respected his children that went into the military and the clergy. Oh, and the lawyers too. Nino’s best joke was to Hecht, who served as Associate Justice for 25 years before being elevated as Chief. Scalia quipped, I’ve been on the Court 27 years, and there’s no chance of me being Chief.
Also in the House (ha!) were almost-Justice Harriet Miers, and Alberto Gonzales. From the 5th Circuit, Judges Higginbotham, Jones, Smith, Benaveides, Haynes, and Owens were present. There were many Judges from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Courts of Appeals, the District Courts, and other dignitaries. Kudos to Twitter’s favorite Justice, Justice Don Willett for reading ALL of the names.
Here are all of my various Pics and Vines fromt eh event.
At the Capitol for #scotx investiture pic.twitter.com/QLKewuaaUq
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 11, 2013
Program at investiture of CJ Hecht and Justice brown pic.twitter.com/XaLQzzi8Eq
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 11, 2013
Justice Scalia and the flags of the United states and texas #scotx pic.twitter.com/yFBhd4Q3G4
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 11, 2013
Now @JusticeWillett is yucking it up pic.twitter.com/22NuMsfKIs
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 11, 2013
.@GovernorPerry to Scalia: We welcome you to Texas sir. You would fit right in. #scotx pic.twitter.com/Fmn6qJkFTt
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 11, 2013
.@GovernorPerry should go hunting w Justice Scalia pic.twitter.com/lcOxUgUWby
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 11, 2013
Justice Scalia talking about how he is proud of sons in military and clergy. And Lawyers too. pic.twitter.com/VbmZY8AWkk
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 11, 2013
Scalia: State judges have oath to Constitution. And 1 stat. 1 (1789) @BryanAGarner also in attendance #scotx pic.twitter.com/GEWeTUnCaa
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 11, 2013
#haiku
Justice Scalia
Swearing in of @judgejeffbrown
And @NathanLHecht pic.twitter.com/s5FDJ7dmGq
Via @JoshMBlackman— Supreme Court Haiku (@SupremeHaiku) November 11, 2013
justice scalia giving the oath to @justicejeffbrown https://t.co/MWtkIB54Pt
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 12, 2013
scalia. if I wasnt a virginian I would want to be a texan. I do fit in here. #scotx https://t.co/wCBVAXis8F
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 12, 2013
scalia https://t.co/299x8o2Nrq
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 12, 2013
Governor Perry gets a standing ovation #scotx https://t.co/3woJ7f4Hme
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 12, 2013
now @justicewillett is introducing everyone in the room #scotx https://t.co/xUgmwj5byz
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 12, 2013
the colors #scotx https://t.co/iFPIUKIh3I
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 12, 2013
oyez oyez oyez #scotx https://t.co/uCoogVNAzb
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 12, 2013
scalia and perry #onlyintexas https://t.co/cbwZQkRieP
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 12, 2013
investiture at #scotx https://t.co/abPKkLw2nZ
— Josh Blackman (@JoshMBlackman) November 12, 2013
And some pics from the State Bar of Texas
.@NathanLHecht sworn in as #SCOTX chief justice by #SCOTUS Justice Scalia. pic.twitter.com/fFKr62D3bP
— State Bar of Texas (@statebaroftexas) November 11, 2013
#SCOTUS Justice Scalia greets former AG Alberto Gonzales at the #SCOTX investiture. pic.twitter.com/ZSnK77wYAF
— Lowell Brown (@LowellMBrown) November 11, 2013
I hope Scalia didn’t say, I’m so board. You can see Bryan Garner in the background.
#SCOTUS Justice Scalia swears in @judgejeffbrown to #SCOTX. pic.twitter.com/BlFB9ph3F0
— State Bar of Texas (@statebaroftexas) November 11, 2013
#SCOTUS Justice Scalia, who swore in last 2 #SCOTX chief justices, prepares to swear in Hecht. pic.twitter.com/AnJKVeIV6A
— State Bar of Texas (@statebaroftexas) November 11, 2013
.@GovernorPerry praises departing #SCOTX chief Jefferson, says court is in good hands with Chief Hecht. pic.twitter.com/BhUsqh9p3Y
— State Bar of Texas (@statebaroftexas) November 11, 2013