We must stand against a practice which makes the United States one of the few industrialized nations in the world that authorizes the killing of Black and Brown people in disproportionately high numbers. We must unite with our elected officials who oppose the death penalty. We must have a vigorous legislative agenda. This year, we will empower ourselves and our children. This year we will act in concert with our Judicial Council to further the purposes of the NBA, to insure the independence of our judiciary and to fill the numerous federal court vacancies.
Today is the day of seed planting.
If one removes an ear of corn from its stalk and folds back the husk, a healthy ear of corn will have many kernels. If you take a single kernel, place it on this podium and let it sit, it dries up, and it dries out. But if you take that same kernel of corn and place it in fertile soil, water it, and let it grow, it will bring forth in its season many ears of corn with hundreds of kernels. Thus, today, I have planted in your hearts, in your minds and in your innermost being, a seed which holds in it, the future direction and prosperity of the National Bar Association. With God s help and your prayers, we can promote a better future for the next seven generations.