H.J.R. 16

1

JOINT RESOLUTION - JUDICIAL SERVICE
2 COMMENDATION
3 2012 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Kay L. McIff
6 Senate Sponsor: Lyle W. Hillyard
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution of the Legislature expresses commendation and appreciation for
11 the service of Chief Justice Christine M. Durham.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 . expresses commendation and appreciation for the service of Chief Justice Christine
15 M. Durham for the honor and distinction her service has brought to the state of
16 Utah.
17 Special Clauses:
18 None
19
20 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
21 WHEREAS:
22 . The Honorable Christine M. Durham, who will shortly complete her service as
23 chief justice, has had a unique and distinguished judicial career which has
24 served this state well and has paved the way for all women who now or may
25 hereafter aspire to serve in the Utah Judiciary.
26 . In 1978, Justice Durham became the first woman appointed to Utah's District
27 Court Bench. In 1982, she became the first woman appointed to the Utah

28 Supreme Court. In 2002, she became the first woman selected by her fellow jurists to serve as
29 chief justice -- a position which she has held longer than all but one of her predecessors.
30 . While serving as head of the Utah Supreme Court, Justice Durham has also
31 chaired the Judicial Council governing all Utah Courts. Her thoughtful and
32 evenhanded approach has endeared her to judges throughout Utah, and her
33 pioneer ingenuity has resulted in creative solutions to budgetary challenges that
34 have allowed Utah's courts to increase their level of public service,
35 notwithstanding difficult economic times.
36 . Justice Durham's influence as a judicial leader has spread far beyond Utah's
37 borders. She has served nationally as President of the Conference of Chief
38 Justices of the several states, Chair of the National Center for State Courts
39 Board of Directors, and as President of the National Association of Women
40 Judges.
41 . In the field of judicial education, Chief Justice Durham has also been an
42 exceptional leader. She was one of the founding members of the Leadership
43 Institute in Judicial Education and has been recognized nationally for efforts to
44 improve the administration of justice. Reflecting her extensive and far-reaching
45 contributions, Justice Durham received the annual William H. Rehnquist Award
46 for Judicial Excellence -- the highest honor bestowed on a single member of the
47 judiciary of the fifty states and territories of the United States.
48 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
49 . that the Legislature of the state of Utah, in recognition of a professional career
50 filled with high personal achievement and distinguished service to the state of
51 Utah and its citizenry, recognizes Chief Justice Christine M. Durham with this
52 resolution of commendation and appreciation.
53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
54 . that a copy of this resolution be delivered to Chief Justice Christine M. Durham.

Legislative Review Note
as of 2-23-12 9:18 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel