Final Report of the Committee on Dedication Planning Ohio Judicial Center Friday, June 11, 2004 Introduction In late 2003 Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer formed the Committee on Dedication Planning of the Ohio Judicial Center ("Committee") and appointed Justice Maureen O’Connor as its Chair. Other members of the Committee include Louis M Alcade (Columbus), Kathleen B. Burke (Cleveland), Ronald W. Dougherty (Canton), Robert D. Loversidge (Columbus), Curt Moody (Columbus), Heather Sowald (Columbus), Mary Sullivan (Cincinnati), and the Chief Justice. The Committee met several times over the next few months to plan for the dedication of the Ohio Judicial Center. This final report is issued by the Committee to the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and to interested members of the public and media, as a summary of the activities of the main dedication ceremony and the dedication luncheon, and as a financial accounting of the receipts and expenditures of those events. Dedication Saturday, May 15, 2004, was a historic day for the Supreme Court, as the people of Ohio dedicated the Ohio Judicial Center with honored guest William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States. The occasion marked a new beginning in the 201-year history of the state as the judicial branch of Ohio government now has its own facilities, symbolizing the unique role of the judiciary as a separate and independent branch in the state’s constitutional democracy. This historic change was celebrated with a fitting tribute, with representatives of the executive, legislative and judicial branches from both political parties, gathering together in the company of the nation’s highest judicial officer. More than 800 citizens, elected officials and members of the bar from every corner of the state joined in the main dedication ceremony at the Ohio Judicial Center, and nearly 600 guests attended the celebratory luncheon at the Statehouse. Both events were open to the public. Main Ceremony The main ceremony was led by Nancy Rogers, dean of the Moritz College of Law at the Ohio State University. For the first time in Ohio history, judges at every level, from the municipal and county trial courts to the federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, joined together for a judicial procession and assembly. Nearly 200 judges from across Ohio participated in this event, led by Chief Justice Rehnquist, Chief Justice Moyer and the Justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio. The thundering score of the Cleveland Firefighters Memorial Pipes and Drums echoed through the Grand Concourse, announcing the procession. Leading the column was the Ohio State Highway Patrol Color Guard. What at first appeared as an unfortunate turn of luck, with rain and winds reminding many of late October rather than mid-May, turned out to be a blessing. Although rains forced the program indoors, exceptional planning and teamwork by the Supreme Court staff resulted in an excellent indoor program. Many commented that being inside created a sense of intimacy and allowed the hundreds of visitors who came for the dedication to truly experience the grandeur of the building. The program featured eloquent remarks from the men and women who made the Ohio Judicial Center a reality, from the chief architect and the construction manager, to legislative leaders who provided the capital funds, and Chief Justice Moyer, whose vision and leadership guided the project from conception to completion. Chief Justice Rehnquist delivered a compelling keynote address filled with humor and historic insight. In a powerful symbolic gesture, the Governor of Ohio, Bob Taft, presented the deed of the property to Chief Justice Moyer, who accepted it on behalf of the judiciary of Ohio. Accompanying the governor in this ceremony and representing the legislative branch were Senate President Doug White, Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives Gary Cates, former Senate President Richard Finan, former Senate Minority Leader Leigh Herington, former House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, and former House Minority Leader Patrick Sweeney. The ceremony also included an inspiring musical interlude "Who Are the Brave?" by the Princeton High School A Capella Choir of Cincinnati, while Dr. Richard Wing, the senior minister at First Community Church in Columbus, offered the opening prayer, and The Rev. Ralph Thomas Jr. of the Omega Baptist Church in Dayton presented the closing prayer. The dedication was broadcast live on local cable networks that carry Ohio Government Telecommunications programming, which reaches about 3 million homes in Ohio. A complete listing of availability is at http://www.ogtv.org/. The program also was carried live on the Internet via video streaming and is still available in the RealPlayer format at: www.ohiojudicialcenter.org. After the main ceremony the building was open for self-guided tours all afternoon, and hundreds of people filed through the Ohio Judicial Center’s public spaces as classical music was performed by student musicians from across Ohio. Luncheon The luncheon filled the Atrium of the Statehouse, with overflow seating in the Rotunda and North and South Halls. Former legislators discussed the importance of the project and how it is representative of the unity of Ohio government. Chief Rehnquist was presented with several gifts, and renowned architectural historian and preservationist William Seale offered a keynote address, placing the art and architecture of the Ohio Judicial Center in the context of American architectural history. The opening prayer was offered by Rabbi Mark Goldfarb, Jewish Community Chaplain, and the closing prayer was offered by Dr. Mouhamed Tarazi, president of the Islamic Foundation of Columbus. Finances The Committee reports that the cost of producing the main ceremony and the luncheon total $62,920.14. Most of this amount is covered by the revenue generated from the charge for the guests to attend the luncheon. The Committee received $40,675 in this fashion with 542 guests paying the $75 charge, and one $25 contribution. The additional revenue is accounted for by pledges from project participants and metropolitan bar foundations from throughout Ohio. The Committee is also pleased to report that it was able to produce these two events without the direct expenditure of any tax dollars, beyond the indirect payroll costs for Court staff associated in helping provide security and facility operation assistance on the day of the event. In reporting the costs of the event, the Committee breaks down the expenditures into three categories: 1) general costs, 2) costs of the main ceremony and 3) costs of the luncheon. General Costs The general costs incurred in producing the main ceremony and the luncheon total $16,664.39. These costs include $6,025 for printing, including the expense of printing over 2,500 invitation packages. The committee expended $1,260 for the mailing of the packages. Other general costs include $1,975 for commemorative plaques that were fashioned out of the Georgia marble from the building’s exterior and presented to honored guests and speakers, $1,295 for lunches for the many volunteers and workers who helped the day of the events, and $275.64 for shuttle bus services from the Ohio Judicial Center to the Statehouse Atrium. Although $3,800 was budgeted to purchase air transportation for the keynote speaker at the main ceremony, the provider of the service has since indicated to the Committee that it will not accept payment for the service. The committee has since determined that it will donate the $3,800 to the American Red Cross in lieu of payment to the provider. Finally, $2,033.75 was paid to the Capitol Square Foundation for processing checks and payments for a standard 5 percent handling fee. Costs of Main Ceremony The costs incurred for the main ceremony total $17,006. These costs include $7,851 for the rental of a stage and sound system (including labor) for setting up the event to be held outdoors, $5,379 for the rental and setting up of over 1,000 chairs throughout the Ohio Judicial Center (including labor) $480 for deaf interpreter services, $200 for plant rental, $260 for street closure, $1,236 for police overtime, $150 for renting portable sanitary facilities, and $1,450 in honoraria for various musicians. Some of these costs were slightly reduced as a few of the vendors incurred lower costs due to the change in venue indoors and they were able to pass along these savings. Costs of Luncheon The costs incurred for the luncheon at the Statehouse total $29,249.75. These costs include $25,440.31 for the caterer, $3,584.44 for rental and labor provided by the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, and $225 for piano rental. Extra lunches were donated to the Columbus Open Shelter. Special Commendation The Committee on Dedication Planning would like to thank the following people for their important contributions in making this event a success: For sponsoring the events, Messer Construction Company, Schooley Caldwell Associates, Moody/Nolan Ltd. Inc., the Akron Bar Association Foundation, Cincinnati Bar Foundation, Cleveland Bar Foundation, Columbus Bar Foundation, Cuyahoga County Bar Association Foundation, Ohio State Bar Foundation and the Toledo Bar Association Foundation. For making the project a reality: Paul E. Goggin, Executive Director, Ohio Building Authority; Robert D. Loversidge Jr., FAIA and Tom Matheney, AIA, of Schooley Caldwell Associates; Curt Moody, FAIA, Moody/Nolan Ltd. Inc.; Rex Hagerling, Moody/Nolan Ltd. Inc.; Tim Gusler, Senior Project Executive, Messer Construction Company; and Smoot Construction. For their help with the dedication ceremonies: Ray Lowther, Ed.D., Ohio Department of Education; Ohio Government Telecommunications; the U.S. Marshals Service; Mrs. Robert Alexander and Mr. Harry Hake III, grandchildren of Harry Hake; the William Mason High School Wind Ensemble; Natalie Hoffman, harpist from Pickerington Ridgeview Junior High School; Devon Oser, harpist from Upper Arlington High School; the Sylvania North High School Strong Quartet. For their efforts in helping in planning and executing the events: Supreme Court employees Charlene Brenner, Jim Cappelli, Chris Davey, Rick Dove, Brian Farrington, Ruth Newcomer, Byron Wilson and Steve Hollon. For their assistance: Supreme Court employees who helped during the events of the day. For his visionary leadership on behalf of the Ohio Judiciary: Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer. Conclusion For 201 years, the Supreme Court shared quarters with the other branches of government, from the Statehouse to the Rhodes Tower. On May 15, 2004, the people of Ohio celebrated the historic occasion of the judiciary moving to separate facilities, symbolizing the separation of powers that lies at the foundation of the American system of government. But May 15 was also more than this. It was also a rebirth of a building that when it first opened in 1933 was declared "Ohio’s pride." The Ohio Judicial Center represents the ambitious hopes of an optimistic people. At a time when dread infects the public mind and rancor is too often the spirit of public discourse, the Ohio Judicial Center stands as a monument to the belief of the majority of Ohioans that the government emanates of, from and for the people and that it is thereby a force of truth and justice. Attachments: 1. Balance Sheet 2. Dedication Program 3. Luncheon Program 4. Luncheon Attendee List