Senate Journal: Page 71: Wednesday, January 10, 2001

  Like the new legislators, I'm also a new kid on the block.  Because I'm new,
  I feel I
  should tell you a little bit about myself.  Those who know me recognize that
  I am
  candid and plainspoken.  I am sure that some will say this is an
  understatement.
  What you see is what you get.  My colleagues on the Court will tell you
  that, when I
  feel strongly about a cause, I am a passionate advocate.  But they will also
  tell you that
  I know the value of consensus building.

  I pledge to do all that I can to promote communication with you, within the
  Judicial
  Branch, and most importantly, with the public.  With that in mind, I am
  pleased to
  announce that we are taking a step in that direction today.  This address is
  being
  broadcast over the Internet.

  I want to also mention that the members of the Court and I invite everyone
  to join
  us, after my remarks, for refreshments and conversation in the courtroom
  downstairs.
  I assure you that the refreshments are under the three-dollar limit for
  gifts, and the
  conversation is free.

  And finally, I am proud to tell you about our Child Advocate of the Year,
  Jill Viau of
  Adel.  She is not only a remarkable advocate for children, she is a
  remarkable person.
  While in college Jill was a "Big Sister" for two children.  For six years
  she worked as a
  volunteer mentor for teenage mothers.  Jill also volunteered in a program
  that helps
  children with cancer.  For the past ten years, she has devoted many hours as
  a Court-
  Appointed Special Advocate, working on behalf of abused children who are
  before the
  court for protection.  Jill demonstrates the very best of what it means to
  be an Iowan.
  And now it is my great pleasure to introduce our Child Advocate of the Year,
  Jill Viau.
  Please join me in applauding her.

  I want to thank you for the invitation to talk to you about the state of the
  judiciary.
  Although the news is not uniformly good, we have some exciting opportunities
  within
  our grasp that will lift the delivery of court services out of the past and
  into the
  present.  I am going to describe those opportunities and outline the steps
  we need to
  take to realize them.  We have already taken many steps in that direction.

  HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT

  Let me begin with a brief look back.

  During the last decade, nothing transformed our world more than information
  technology.  With your support and with the vision and hard work of many,
  the
  Judicial Branch harnessed technology to improve the administration of
  justice.

  We computerized nearly every facet of Iowa's court system and connected all
  clerk
  of court offices and administrative offices to a statewide network.  In
  doing so, we
  gained substantial management and case processing efficiencies, increased
  productivity, and facilitated communication.  Our court information system
  is the
  model and envy of many states.

  But we did not stop there.

  We worked hand in hand with other government entities, including the
  Department
  of Transportation, the Department of Human Services, the Department of
  Public
  Safety, and the Department of Revenue and Finance to electronically link our

© 2001 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments about this site or page? sjourn@legis.iowa.gov.
Please remember that the person listed above does not vote on bills. Direct all comments concerning legislation to State Legislators.

Last update: Sun Jan 13 11:17:37 CST 2002
URL: /DOCS/GA/79GA/Session.1/SJournal/00000/00071.html
jhf