Justice O’Connor was nominated for the award by Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, who extolled her work in his nomination. Oddly, this has the perverse effect of creating more desire to elect judges, because if you think the system isn’t fair and impartial, you want to vote for a judge who will be unfair in your favor.” Where judges are elected, campaigns that lead up to Election Day breed distrust and do more to distort facts and scare voters then they do to inform. “These tend to generate more heat than light, with charges about ‘activist judges’ further escalating the threat to judicial independence. “In recent years, the judiciary has been subject to attacks that threaten the independence of the courts,” she said. She was a strong proponent of an independent judiciary, and also of education, both of which are near and dear to me.” NASS honored her work as an advocate for a judicial system beleaguered with efforts to compromise the authority of judicial review that brings balance to the independent institutions of government. In accepting the award, Justice O’Connor noted that “Margaret Chase Smith was a role model for me I thought she was just superb. Recipients of the award are recognized for similar acts of political courage, uncommon character, and selfless action in the realm of public service.
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Senator from Maine, who jeopardized her career by speaking out against the red-baiting tactics of Senator Joseph P.
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NASS established the Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award in tribute to the former U.S.
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O’Connor was recognized for her strong defense of judicial independence at the state and federal level.
#Sandra day o connor young full
WASHINGTON, DC-In the first full day of its winter meetings today, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) honored former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor with the Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award for acts of political courage. 20 National Association of Secretaries of State Honors Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor with Margaret Chase Smith American Democracy Award