Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2003

Abstract

I will try to make this reasonably brief, though not as brief as a commencement address I was once asked to give. The invitation stated that I was to speak on any topic of my choice. Anything at all. For five minutes. Reporting this to one of my sons – I can't remember which one – I said, "They say it has to be no longer than five minutes. What can I possibly say in five minutes that's worth saying?" To which my son replied, "Did they say it has to be worth saying?"

Well, I'd like to say something worth saying today, but my first problem, as maybe you can tell, is whether I'm going to be able to say anything at a 11 given my feelings a bout this honor and the emotions that threaten to overwhelm me. I know there's no crying in baseball, I remember that, but how about when something has been done for you that within the professional sphere is the most meaningful thing that could have been done for you, something that recognizes what it is that is meaningful to you, something you never dreamed of, something that has involved devoted labor and extraordinary generosity on the part of many, many people? Well, threatened with inundation by emotion, I'm going to take refuge in my scholarly persona and talk history to you for a while. Although, to be sure, somewhat autobiographical history. And you can count yourself lucky at that, because you might have had to sit through my lecture on the nature and function of the writ audita querela.

Disciplines

Law | Law and Gender | Legal Education

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