Vol. 6, No.
4 - Fall 2003
Minnesota Judge Named 2003
Rehnquist Award Recipient
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District Court Chief Judge Kevin S. Burke has been named
recipient of the 2003 William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence
by the National Center for State Courts. The most respected and prestigious judicial honor in the country, the Rehnquist Award is
presented annually to a state court judge who exemplifies the highest
level of judicial excellence, integrity, fairness, and professional
ethics.
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Chief Justice of the United States William H. Rehnquist
will present the award to Judge Burke at a dinner with members of the Supreme
Court and invited guests Nov. 20 in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court in
Washington, D.C.
“I don’t know of a more innovative trial judge in
America, or one who has had a greater national impact,” said Roger K. Warren,
president of the National Center. “Judge Burke has traveled extensively around
the United States—and overseas—to share his successful approaches with other
judges. Judge Burke is indefatigable in the pursuit of judicial reform.”
Burke is the eighth judge to receive the award since its
creation in 1996. “It’s very heady company to be in,” Burke said. “I’m
quite excited about it.” Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen A.
Blatz and State Court Administrator Sue K. Dosal nominated Burke. “In
Minnesota, Judge Burke’s imprint is everywhere,” they wrote in their
nominating letter. “We have encountered no judge who has made a bigger single
impact on a state judicial system or has worked more tirelessly in other states
and at the national level for the betterment of the administration of
justice.”
Warren said Burke stands out as a judicial leader not only
for his numerous achievements but also for his innovative leadership style,
which is credited with influencing significant advancements in the field of
judicial administration. Among Judge Burke’s contributions during nearly 20
years on the bench: He was instrumental in establishing Minnesota’s public
defender system; he worked effectively to improve judges’ courtroom
communication which has bolstered the public’s confidence in, and
understanding of, the courts; and he has led major accomplishments in the areas
of legal aid, corrections, and helping those with chemical dependency.
Judge Burke is a past member of the National Center for
State Courts’ Board of Directors and was awarded the 2002 Distinguished
Service Award by the National Center for his unrelenting service to improvement
of the justice system.
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