Today is a celebration of a distinguished career of public service.
To honor that service with a permanent tribute the Court asked the Archives to suggest ways in which people would easily recognize and instantly understand the degree to which the citizens of Maryland appreciate Judge Murphy's contributions as a lawyer, a jurist, and pre-eminent administrator of one of the oldest and best run court systems. You have already seen the changes to the outside of the the building with the gilding of the lettering announcing its dedication to Judge Murphy. As we pause to reflect on such a respected and remarkable career of public service, it is appropriate that we also remember the initial session of the Court of Appeals in this building 25 years ago tomorrow. As Judge Murphy with characteristic good timing and his usual brevity gently reminded me, by way of a clipping from the Daily Record for our history files, that session was memorable for more than the mere opening of a building, now named in his honor. We hope the portrait in which he wears that stock may be added to the State's art collection shortly.