Florida Statewide/Tallahassee | Gulfport | Sarasota Statewide/Tallahassee Brown v. Board of Education Ceremony, The Florida Supreme Court A ceremonial session of The Supreme Court of Florida will be held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, May 17 at the Court in Tallahassee. Along with The Florida Bar, the Court has issued an open invitation to Florida Bar members, jurists, state and local government officials, civic leaders and the general public to take part in the important and momentous event. The program will provide a snapshot of the day's event 50 years ago—excerpts from the oral arguments and opinion and a closing summary will be presented. There will be reflections given by Florida Supreme Court Justice Peggy A. Quince. program chair, and a local Tallahassee lawyer on how the decision impacted their lives as young people. Additionally, one of the winners of the statewide Florida Law Related Education Association Law Day essay contest will read her essay, "To Win Equality by Law: Brown v. Board of Education at 50. The ceremony will be broadcast via public television and on the statewide cable network, The Florida Channel. It can be heard online by visiting The Florida Supreme Court web site; the broadcast website is http://wfsu.org/gavel2gavel. There will be a reception in the Court's rotunda following the ceremony from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. Contacts: Toyca Williams Voluntary Bar Liaison The Florida Bar Tel: 850-561-5764 Fax: 850-561-5733 E-mail: twilliams@flabar.org or Craig Waters Director of Public Information Florida Supreme Court E-mail: watersc@flcourts.org Gulfport Special 50th Anniversary Symposium: Brown v. Board of Education and the Principle of Equality in Higher Education In conjunction with the 25th annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education, the Stetson University College of Law is sponsoring this special symposium on February 14, 2004. Distinguished presenters include Raymond O. Arsenault, Jack Bass, Robert Belton, Trina Jones, Eugene Patterson, James T. Patterson, and Theodore M. Shaw. Sarasota The Family Law Connection, Inc. of Sarasota, Florida, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency, will host its annual Law Day Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on April 30, 2004, at Michael's on East. Featured speaker will be Congressman John Lewis of Georgia's Fifth Congressional District, one of the nation's most courageous and respected civil rights advocates. His keynote address, "To Win Equality By Law," will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision. Decided on May 17, 1954, Brown showed that resolute citizens, served by dedicated lawyers, could strike powerful blows against social injustice through law and the courts. As American Bar Association President Dennis W. Archer states, "It sparked demands for justice in other contexts, in other areas like voting rights, gender equality, and protections for disabled Americans. The spirit of Brown deserves much of the credit for the country's achievements in social justice, and it continues to inspire the push for progress." Individual tickets: $50. Table for 10, priority seating, recognition in printed program and FLC newsletter: $1,000. FLC helps low-income parents secure an equitable divorce and child support. For more information, call 941-952-9899. Contact: Denise L. Roberts Executive Director The Family Law Connection, Inc. 1750 17th Street Suite B-3 Sarasota FL 34234 Tel: 941-952-9899 Fax: 941-952-9818 E-mail: Familylawconnect@aol.com Events