Centennial Celebration - A series of events is planned over the course of 2008 to celebrate the centennial of the Providence Federal Courthouse.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
GSA and its federal partner agency, the U.S. District Court, are commemorating the 100th anniversary with events as listed below.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE SYMPOSIA
A series of lectures intended to address timely and important topics of interest to the Rhode Island community. Presented by the U.S. District Court and the R.I. Bar Association Federal Bench-Bar Committee. All lectures will be presented from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Courtroom 1. Public welcome.
January 23
“Civil Gideon”
A distinguished panel will address whether a civilized nation that provides counsel to indigent defendants facing jail, should also require counsel be provided when individuals “too poor to hire a lawyer” face deportation or loss of jobs, housing or critical benefits.
February 13
“Rights of Victims and Witnesses”
This panel of experts will explore the rights of victims and eyewitnesses to crime and how those rights relate to the rights of criminal defendants.
April 3
“Courthouse Architecture”
An expert panel will point out the features of the Courthouse building, long regarded as an architectural gem, and address the cultural, political, and economic factors that led to the design of the building. Attendees will be permitted to tour areas of the Courthouse not normally accessible to the public.
OTHER EVENTS
February 12
Opening Celebration
United States Supreme Court Chief Justice, John G. Roberts, Jr., will visit the Courthouse and participate in a ceremony to mark the beginning of a year-long series of events that celebrate the centennial of the Courthouse building. Program to be announced.
June 16
Courtroom 1, 9:30 a.m.
Naturalization Ceremony in commemoration of Flag Day, June 14. Approximately 100 new citizens will be naturalized in the courtroom where thousands of their predecessors have taken the oath of citizenship over the past 100 years.
September 26
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
2008 District Conference Judges and members of the U.S. District Court Bar will participate in a series of educational programs concerning federal practice in Rhode Island. By invitation only.
October 8
Courtroom 1, 10:00 a.m.
Sitting of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
A panel of the Court will hear the appeals of cases emanating from the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Public welcome.
November 21
Gala Centennial Celebration
This event, timed almost to the day of the official opening of the “United States Post Office, Court House and Custom House” in 1908, will acknowledge the history and occupants to the building we now refer to as the “United States Courthouse.” Public welcome.