MINUTES
2005 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETINGThe Amazon ~ Iguassu Falls ~ Rio de Janeiro ~ Brazil Buenos Aires ~ ArgentinaCarmelo ~ Uruguay FELLOWS ATTENDING:
President Tom Murphy (Pat)☼
Hon. Leon Emerson (Lora)☼
Hon. Richard O. Frazee, Jr. (Elaine)
Hon. William R. Hollingsworth (Jo)
Hon. William B. Keene (Pat)☼
Hon. Malcolm Mackey☼
Hon. Tully H. Seymour (Jan)☼
Hon. Robert J. Soares (“Punky”)
Hon. Thomas Thrasher (Sandi)☼
Honorary Member Art Martin, Esquire☼
Chief Executive Officer, Diane Bowen☼
Guests:Mrs. Jean Godfrey (Hon. Otis H. Godfrey, deceased)Mrs. Dorothy Kolts☼ (Hon. James G. Kolts, deceased)Mrs. Rhoda Cocca☼[☼Amazon pre-trip.]DAY ONE: Those who took the pre-trip extension arrived in Manaus, and transferred to the Tropical Manaus Hotel.
DAY TWO: In the morning the group departed by boat on the Amazonas River to view the Meeting of the Waters, where the Amazonas River meets the Negro River, and enjoyed lunch in Caboclo village, followed by some members fishing for piranha. In the evening the group arrived at the Amazon Eco Park Jungle Lodge.
DAY THREE: The group enjoyed a walk to visit the wild monkeys in the jungle, and then had a free afternoon to enjoy the pools (Encontro das Aguas), which were created from the nearby river. Amazon Indians performed a dance show for the guests of the Lodge, and also sold souvenir items, including “poison” dart guns and masks made out of piranha teeth and bones.
DAY FOUR: In the morning some members of the group participated in a guided walk through the jungle rain forest (Floresta dos Macacos). The afternoon was free and in the late evening the group walked out of the jungle to the Amazonas River where they were taken to the airport for the overnight flight to Iguassu Falls.
DAY FIVE: At midday the members traveling from the U.S. and the Amazon arrived at the Falls and were transferred to the Hotel Das Cataratas. In the evening the Welcome Cocktail Party was held pool-side, followed by a Welcome Barbecue Dinner.
DAY SIX: In the morning the group visited the Argentinean side of the Falls, and enjoyed lunch at the Sheraton Hotel, followed by a nature walk along the river and an exciting Zodiac boat ride under the Falls. The Iguaçú Falls are in a horseshoe form, 2.5 miles wide between Argentina and Brazil. The number of the Falls can vary between 150 and 300. When the Academy visited, the falls were spectacular due to heavy rainfall several days prior. The name of the Falls comes from the Guarami Indian word meaning great water.
DAY SEVEN: In the morning the group enjoyed a walking tour on the Brazilian side of the Falls and a visit to a bird sanctuary, prior to a flight to Rio de Janiero. The group transferred to the Caesar Park Hotel on Ipanema Beach, and had rooms with beautiful views overlooking the beach and the mountains.
DAY EIGHT: The morning was free for members to explore the beach and visit the Hippie Fair. In the afternoon the group enjoyed a visit to Rio’s famous peak, Sugarloaf Mountain, where they ascended 1,295 feet to the top in a two-stage cable car and enjoyed the impressive views of the city, 45 miles of beaches and the Atlantic Ocean. Afterwards the group took a city tour of Rio, including the arena where the annual Carnivale is held with music, partying, balls, street parades and brilliantly costumed dancers. The group enjoyed dinner and music at a popular local restaurant, Mistura Fina. They were joined by John Hornemann and his wife, friends of the Seymours. John was very helpful in arranging contacts for meetings in Rio.
DAY NINE: In the morning the group boarded Jeeps for a tour to Corcovado, a mountain with a sheer granite face topped by the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statute rising more than 100 feet from a 20-foot pedestal. The Jeeps then drove into the 8,151 acre Tijuca Forest rain forest, and the group enjoyed seeing waterfalls, vistas and hiking into the forest for a “flora and fauna” guided tour. The group then enjoyed a private lunch of local favorites at a lodge in the forest.
In the afternoon the group visited the State University of Rio de Janeiro School of Law (UERJ) and met with Dean Mauricio Jorge Mota, Professor Eduardo Bastos F. De Mendonça and Professor Alexandre Santos de Aragāo.
The Law School has been established for the last 70 years, and is considered an “old” institution in Brazil. The law school was in operation before the University became part of it, and it is considered one of the top four law schools in the country. There are 1,500 students in the graduate program and 800 students in the undergraduate program; 215 are working on doctorate degrees. To receive a doctorate the student must publish their thesis, which usually takes at least 5 years. The Academy judges were each given a copy of Quæstio Iuris, which contained published “Pós-Graduaçao” theses for July 2005. After graduation, 85% of the UERJ students pass the examination to practice law. The Brazilian legal system was “inherited from the Portuguese.” The law school employees 130 professors, who also have other professions in law offices. The law school is funded through the State, and tuition generally runs about 400 Reais to 800 Reais per month ($200-$400). The ten best law schools in Brazil are public, not private. In Brazil most who can afford it go to private grammar schools, so that they can pass the tests to be admitted to the public universities when the time comes. The admission rate is fourteen applicants to one admission to the law school; in medical schools it is sixty applicants for one admission. To become a judge, a person must have practiced law for at least three years. The students are 50-50 male-female, and the courts are beginning to reflect this ratio. At the conclusion of the meeting, Academy President Tom Murphy presented Dean Mota with a $1,000 donation which will be used for books and computer programs for the Law School’s library.
After the University meeting the group had dinner at Porcão Rio, a famous steakhouse (churrascarias) serving skewers of sizzling charboiled meat to diners at their table, followed by a Carnivale Show.
DAY TEN: In the morning the Academy judges visited the American Consulate in Rio, and were welcomed by Edmond Atkins, Consul General in charge of Consular Services. Mr. Atkins worked in Brazil during the late 1980s when Brazil was transitioning from a dictatorship to a democracy and was transferred back by the State Department last year. The Consulate is available to help U.S. Citizens in Brazil with emergency assistance, and also helps Brazilians with visas to the U.S. and diplomatic affairs between the countries. The Consulate promotes strong long-term relationships between the U.S. and Brazil through educational and cultural activities. The Consulate was very instrumental in arranging the meetings for the Academy with the University and the Courts.
Mr. Atkins remarked upon President Bush’s visit with Brazilian President Lulu, on November 5 and 6, which kept the Consulate very busy. The visit “underscored the increasingly strong and close ties that Brazil and the United States enjoy, based on common values and objectives, including the promotion of democracy, development, economic growth, trade liberalization, international security and combating terrorism.” Brazil received $4 billion in investments from the U.S. in the last year, and the U.S. is Brazil’s largest export partner.
Mr. Lance Root, head Security Officer, spoke to the judges. His prior assignments include Tunis, Sarajevo, Bosnia, the United Nations, and former First Lady Nancy Reagan’s staff. The Consulate was very happy that President Bush’s visit went “off without a hitch.” There have been other high level U.S. Officials visiting Brazil recently -- John Snow, Secretary of Treasury, Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State, and Colin Powell, former Secretary of State. The PanAmerican Games will be held in Rio in July of 2007. The State Department is very involved in anti-terrorism programs and training, in conjunction with municipal, state and federal police departments, and provides technical assistance and training to local departments in Brazil.
Next the judges were introduced to Catherine (Kate) J. Jarvis, the Public Affairs Officer of the Consulate. She speaks fluent Portuguese and has been in Brazil six years. Her office “explains and supports American foreign policy and promotes U.S. interests through programs for mutual understanding in terms that are credible and meaningful in the Brazilian context.”
After the Consulate meeting the group visited the Rio Courthouse and met with Judge José de Magalhães Peres, president of the Association of Magistrates of Rio de Janeiro (AMAERJ), and “Juez” of the High Court of Rio de Janeiro and High Court Judge Wagner Cinelli de Paula Freitas.
After law school and passing required tests to become a lawyer, and after practicing a minimum of two years (usually three or four), a test can be taken to become a judge. At this point one has to attend a magistrate’s school for five semesters and pass another test to be appointed a judge. There are always vacancies on the courts because not enough people pass all the tests required to be appointed a judge. Out of 1,000-1,500 applicants, 20 will be approved; 15 to 20 judges retire yearly. There are 700 judges in the state court and 160 judges on the Court of Appeal (High Court). After being appointed, new judges attend training in the mornings and sit with experienced judges in the afternoon for their first four months.
The legal system is made up of federal and state courts formed under the 1988 Constitution. There are Federal Supreme Courts (Supremo Tribunal Federal) for constitutional matters, the Superior Court of Justice (Superior Tribunal de Justiça), or High Court, which act as the court of last instance (appellate courts) on non-constitutional matters, Justice Tribunals (lower courts), and Labor, Electoral and Military Courts. There are 26 states in Brazil. The courts of first instance heard about 500,000 actions in 2005, and the small claims courts heard about 450,000 actions in 2005. Jury trials are held in “serious crime” cases, such as abortion, attempted murder, and murder. Most jury trials take only one day. Prosecutors and defense lawyers pick 7 jurors from a pool of at least 15. The 7 jurors work with a “President Judge,” and after hearing evidence, the jurors are sequestered and vote on guilt or innocence. Their votes are given to the Judge, who may ask the jurors questions. The jury votes by a simple majority of 4-3, and does not deliberate. Judges in civil cases receive about 85 new cases per month. Courts of Appeal have three judges on a case -- one judge reads the file and explains the case to the other two. The case will be decided with a simple majority of 2-1. Mandatory retirement age is 70 in the state courts and 75 in the Federal Courts. After the morning meeting, the Academy judges dined in the Courthouse Judge’s Dining Room at a lunch hosted by Judge Peres. In the afternoon Academy judges observed court proceedings. Judge Peres and Judge Freitas were given Academy “Amazon” hats and California books by Academy President Tom Murphy. Judge Freitas gave Judge Murphy three CDs on which he plays music.
Following the courthouse meetings, the Academy judges visited the General Prosecutor’s Office (Attorney General’s Office) and met with several attorneys, including Fernanda Taboada, Procuradoro do Municipio do Rio de Janeiro, and Arlindo Daibert Neto, Procurador Assessor, Gabinete do Procurador Geral. The office is responsible for providing the city with legal representation including advising and assisting with legal matters and enforcement of local laws. Municipalities are part of the federation, and prosecutors must pass examinations to be qualified for appointment. The municipal laws are not based on a precedent system, and contradictory judgments are issued. “It is very complicated”. The loser will pay attorney’s fees. Prosecutors make about $8,000R a month. Academy President Tom Murphy presented the prosecutors with gifts of the Academy “Amazon” hats and visors, as a thank you.
DAY ELEVEN: In the morning the group flew to Buenos Aires. Upon arrival the group transferred to the Four Seasons Hotel and enjoyed a walking tour of the Recoleta area. Dinner was at the Four Seasons Hotel and Academy members were joined by Dr. Luis Maŕia Palma, who arranged the Buenos Aires meetings. Dr. Palma was presented with an Honorary Member certificate by Academy President Tom Murphy, and also a book on California, and an “Amazon” hat.
DAY TWELVE: Dr. Palma met the Academy judges in the morning and escorted the group to the 1st Federal Criminal Court. The group met with judges and prosecutors, including Judges Mario G. Costa, Jorge H. Gettas and José Martinez Sobrino. The criminal courts in Argentina differ from an Anglo Saxon system in that the judge can subpoena witnesses, and investigate and question all the parties (like the French system). Though “most of us would rather stay exclusively with the ‘opponent’ system, the current system actually requires the judge to be more involved, but this is the way it works.” Presently there are no jury trials. There have been two drafts in Congress to address the jury issue, and three articles in the National Constitution which provide for a jury trial, but it has never been enforced. Fifteen years ago representatives from the U.S. (including Federal Judges Wm. Matthew Byrne and Malcolm Lucas) conducted seminars and jury trial simulations, but it was never put into practice. In Buenos Aires Federal Courts, three judges hear the case. Judges may interrogate witnesses and defendants before cross-examination.
The Argentinian President appoints judges. Three names are submitted for each position from the Ministerio de Justicia, and the appointed judges must be ratified by the Senate. Judge Gettas was a former prosecutor. Several of the judges told about being judges before the coup in 1976, when they resigned from the system and went back into private practice. When Argentina returned to a democracy in 1983 they were again appointed and ratified and came back into the judiciary.
The Academy next met with Judge Raúl Madueño, President of the National Casation Criminal Court. Judge Madueño was in the U.S. last year and visited San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The National Casation court is the “highest instance of appellate criminal court in the Federal system.” There are 13 judges in this court divided into 4 “rooms,” with 3 judges in each room who hear cases as a panel. The Chair rotates from room to room, and “calls for an agreement” in each case. “The ‘agreement’ refers to certain guidelines as to criminal policy, and the resolution of some cases is a plenary consensus agreement.”
“Whatever is resolved in these appeals chambers is material for all the lower courts in terms of interpreting the law. For example, during the pretrial stage when there is any problem with evidence it would come to this chamber. This court is dedicated as a criminal court regarding criminal economic matters, taxing, and execution of criminal matters. This court also oversees military criminal courts. There is no death penalty in criminal cases, however, in extreme cases tried in military courts, i.e. treason during wars, the death penalty could be enforced. Argentina will not extradite people to countries if the death penalty will be imposed. Thirty years is the maximum criminal sentence for a first crime; a life sentence can be imposed for a person with multiple offenses. Presently there is a case pending where crimes were committed while the defendant was a minor. The ‘Convention regarding Rights of Minors’ is questioning the legality and validity of this decision and wants a life sentence imposed in the alternative. The decision could most likely be that the defendant will serve 20 years and if he exhibits good behavior he may be paroled after that time.”
“The criminal jurisprudence system is based basically on America’s constitution for background and information. The Argentina Supreme Court does not limit the number of cases it hears, as the U.S. Supreme Court does, but the number of cases has been multiplying, so there is some consideration about limiting the number of cases in the future, so that each case can be considered more thoroughly. Everything that the Supreme Court does not hear will be considered in this Appeals Court.”
The Academy thanked Judge Madueño for taking the time to meet with the Academy and presented him with a California book and an Academy “Amazon” hat.
The judges next visited the 75th Civil Court in Buenos Aires City and met with civil court Judge Virginia Simari. While visiting this court it was observed that court support staff (U.E.J.N. Judiciales) were planning a strike for the next day by handing out leaflets reflecting Por el Pago Inmediato de Los $200[R]. Judge Simari pointed out that her staff would not strike the next day because they “understood justice needs to be served so they will resort to other means to negotiate a raise without a strike.” The National Court handles civil cases involving liability issues, contractual agreements or personal liability issues. There are no jury trials. Each judge in this court has over 3,000 cases on their docket, which may require hearings. The time involved is dependent upon what is needed, most cases present evidence in written form and it may take a year to schedule a court hearing. Judges issue judgments and the losing party pays attorney’s fees; 30% of cases settle, the rest go to trial. There are legal standards providing guidelines for the amount of fees, based on the kind of suit and the work demanded, but the amount of fees awarded is at the judge’s discretion.
The Academy members next visited the American Embassy where they were met by the Honorable Ambassador Lino Gutiérrez, who was appointed the Ambassador to Argentina in September of 2003. The Ambassador described how busy the Embassy was during President Bush’s recent visit while he attended the Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina on November 3-5. This Fourth Summit of the Americas brought together 33 democratic leaders of the Western Hemisphere to address 21st century challenges of economic growth, job opportunities, fighting poverty and strengthening democratic governance.
The Ambassador is a career diplomat, who has had assignments in Haiti, Paris, Lisbon, and Nicaragua. He speaks Portuguese, French, English and Spanish. The Embassy is involved in all matters between Argentina and the U.S., especially economic, legal, terrorism, commerce and free trade matters.
Economically, Argentina is still recovering from the devaluation of its currency in 2001-2002 under Interim President Eduardo Duhalde, when it defaulted on foreign debt due to a 75% devaluation forcing 60% of the population into poverty. Since then the economy has grown 8%-9%. Argentina is basically an agricultural country, with its exports becoming more competitive in international markets. Soy beans are the largest export, and tourism is growing.
After departing from the Embassy the Academy members were taken to the offices of the Association of Magistrates and Judicial Officials of the National Justice for lunch, after which they walked across the street for a tour of the Supreme Court of Justice of Argentina (Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Nacion). The Supreme Court has only been in this building for the last one and half years, before that the building housed trial courts and courts of appeal.
The Academy members met with Justice Elena Highton de Nolasco, Vice President of the Supreme Court. She became Vice President two months ago, and is the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court. There has since been another woman appointed, Judge Carmen Argibaray. Presently there are only seven judges, with two vacancies remaining to be filled. Beginning in 2000, during the interim presidency of Eduardo Duhalde, and since 2003 when President Néstor Kirchner took office, all members of the Supreme Court have either been removed or resigned. Former members were “criticized of consistently voting with the interests of the prior administration.” The present members were all chosen very democratically. The curriculum of nominees are made public and discussed in the media and elsewhere by professional law associations, academic and human rights groups, and all citizens in general. After three months, the President, with this advice, can then choose to present the nominee to the Argentine Senate, which must decide on the nomination with at least a two-thirds majority. This “renewal” of the Supreme Court under the Kirchner administration has been acknowledged to be a positive step, bringing more independence to the Judicial Branch and addressing issues of ideological bias. Justice Highton de Nolasco notes that the diversity of the Supreme Court may make it sometimes difficult to come to decisions, but they will be theoretical decisions, not political. Decisions are made by a majority vote, with dissents. The Court has to take every case, but can summarily make decisions; they took 16,000 cases last year. There is presently a backlog of 50,000 cases, because when the previous court could not agree, it did not decide the case. They hope to dispose of the backlog. Each Justice has 8 lawyers working with them as law clerks. Justice Highton de Nolasco routinely works 12-hour days, or longer.
The Academy thanked Justice Highton de Nolasco for taking the time to meet with them and presented her with a California book.
The judges then again walked back to the office of the Association of Judges and Judicial Officials of the National Justice, and met with representatives of the Libra Foundation. The Libra Foundation is a non-profit organization of judges and lawyers, which has been in existence since 1991. It consists of 15 legal associations which work together to improve the administration of justice. Libra Foundation also promotes “justice modernization” in Latin America and the private application of different conflict resolution methods. The Academy met with the following representatives: Dr. Gladys Alvarez, Honorary President of the Libra Foundation, Dr. Sandra Yapur, Public Defender, Dr. Alicia Carr and Dr. Hector Chayer, representatives of the Argenjus NGOs Consortium, and Dr. Palma. The Libra Foundation is considered to be a pioneer in the field of alternative forms of dispute resolution in Latin America and in 1994 received a Special Award for Excellence and Innovation in ADR by the Institute for Dispute Resolution headquartered in New York City; in 1999 Judges Gladys Alvarez and Elena Highton de Nolasco, who at the time were the Foundation’s directors, received a Mary Parker Follet Award from the then Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution of the USA. The wide experience of the members of the Libra Foundation provides training to other professionals in judicial education, consensus and public dialogue, multi-doors tribunal, community mediation, penal mediation, research, helpful systems for judicial makers, and strategic negotiation for lawyers.
The Academy President presented “Amazon” hats and visors to the Libra members, and Academy members were presented with a traditional gift of a Yerba Mate, a gourd in which hot tea is prepared and is sipped through a bombilla (silver filtered straw).
DAY THIRTEEN: In the morning the Academy took a city tour of Buenos Aires, including La Boca, a distinctive district of Buenos Aires whose houses are painted in vivid colors, a tourist stop for local paintings and typical souvenirs at the famous “Caminito” Fair. The group also visited the Plaza de Mayo, one of the oldest parts of the city, and the location of the government palace known as “Casa Rosada” where some of the most important historical events of the country occurred. The group also visited the Recoleta area and walked through the cemetery where Eva Peŕon is buried in a black marble crypt inscribed with the epitaph “Don’t cry for me, Argentina, I remain quite near to you.”
After the city tour the afternoon was free. Some members of the group visited the Evita Museum located in the house in which Juan and Eva Peŕon lived before Juan Peŕon became President of Argentina. In the evening the group attended a Dinner and Tango Show at Esquina de Carlos Gardel.
DAY FOURTEEN: In the morning the Academy group boarded a ferry to Uruguay, and arrived in the town of Colonia, a World Heritage Site. The group took a walking tour through the cobbled streets of Barrio Histórico, shopping in the small stores, and enjoyed lunch in the flowering patio of the Plaza Mayor. Afterwards the group departed by bus to the Four Seasons Resort and Spa in Carmelo.
BUSINESS MEETING
At 5:30 p.m. the Annual business meeting was convened at the Carmelo Four Seasons Lodge with all members in attendance. President Tom Murphy thanked all the judges for coming on the trip, and everyone agreed it had been a very successful trip.
Upon motion by Judge Seymour, second by Judge Thrasher, the minutes of the September 17 to October 2, 2004 Annual Meeting in Portugal and Spain were unanimously approved as written.
The Treasurer’s Report submitted by Judge Keene reflected a beginning balance on September 14, 2004 of $3,621.90. Income derived from dues, initiation fees, scholarship donations and a 2004 trip refund totaled $9,271.90. Expenses were $6,751.21. The balance on hand as of October 14, 2005 was $2,520.69. The Report was unanimously approved as presented. It was pointed out that a $1,000 donation to the University School of Law in Rio had been made and would be deducted from this balance.
The Membership Report as submitted by Executive Secretary Diane Bowen was discussed. Three members were dropped for non-payment of dues for the years 2004 and 2005. Judge Seymour reported that he has received significant interest from Orange County judges in joining the Academy and he planned to send the 2006 trip information to them this year. He thinks potential members should be personally called before a recruitment letter is written to them. The initiation fee, changed at the 2004 meeting to $100 is now in effect. New Membership Certificates have been designed and replaced the former very expensive membership plaques. They are now being used, and one was presented to Dr. Palma in Buenos Aires.
Judge Bill Keene, the Chair of the Nominating Committee, which is usually comprised of all former Academy presidents attending the meeting, this year consisted of only himself, and therefore the recommendations presented are unanimous: Judge Tully Seymour has agreed to serve a two-year term, and he is nominated as President for 2006 and 2007. If someone would like to take the position of President-elect for the 2007 year, he will step aside. Judge Keene will once again serve as Secretary-Treasurer, which facilitates the banking arrangements. Judge William R. Hollingsworth has agreed to serve as Chancellor. The nominations were moved closed by Judge Soares, second by Judge Thrasher, unanimously approved by acclamation.
The Academy judges discussed nominations of Honorary Members. Dr. Palma was presented with an Honorary Membership Certificate at the dinner in Buenos Aires. It was the consensus of the members that all the judges with whom the Academy met should be offered Honorary Membership in the Academy.
2006 Annual Business Meeting PlansJudge Seymour outlined his 2006 trip which is planned for Northern Italy. Upon arrival in Milan the group will transfer to Lake Como for three nights at a lake view hotel, with tours of lakeside villas and gardens, and an included lunch at Bellagio. The group will then travel to the Renaissance City of Padua for four nights, with visits to the law school and courts in Bologna, which has the oldest university in the world. There will be an option for a visit to Florence, and an excursion in the Veneto region to visit the Palladian Villas, with a luncheon in the hill town of Asolo. Visits to courts in Venice and/or Padua, may be scheduled if time permits.
There will be a half day tour in Venice before boarding the MSC Cruise ship Armonia for a seven day cruise on the Adriatic Sea. Ports of call will include Bari, Italy; Santorini, Mykonos, Piraeus and Corfu in Greece; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. The cruise will end in Venice. Creative Travel Planners will again be arranging the trip for the Academy. The projected price of approximately $5,300 per person will include air fare, all transfers and travel insurance, including emergency medical evacuation. United Airlines or a partner airline will be used and CTP hopes to make arrangements for members to use Mileage Plus for upgrades. [Please refer to www.IATJ.org for further 2006 trip details.] The trip proposal and registration form will be mailed to members in early February.
New Business: Judge Keene commended Diane Bowen, the Academy Secretary, for what she has done for the organization and stated it could not function without her. Judge Keene made a motion that the Academy bestow upon Diane a new title of Chief Executive Officer, as remuneration for her efforts on behalf of the Academy; second by Tom Murphy, unanimously approved.
Judge Seymour thanked President Tom Murphy and Pat for putting on a marvelous trip.
At 8:20 p.m. the meeting was adjourned.
Following the business meeting Tom and Pat Murphy hosted a Cocktail Party. During the party, it was announced that Art Martin, Esquire, widower of Judge Bonnie Lee Martin, a longtime member of the Academy, was elected as an Honorary Member.
Also at the party, the judges answered written [obscure] trivia questions regarding the trip as a raffle for the two remaining CDs which were given to Judge Murphy by High Court Judge Wagner Cinelli de Paula Freitas in Rio.
DAY FIFTEEN: The full day was at leisure for the members. Some visited a nearby local winery, some enjoyed the outdoor pool, the indoor pool and the spa, some rode bikes, hiked, golfed, birdwatched or participated in various other activities available at the resort.
In the evening members enjoyed a Farewell Uruguayan barbecue dinner at the Estancia [ranch] on the outdoor veranda overlooking the golf course at the resort.
DAY SIXTEEN: Following a morning at leisure, the Academy members were transferred to the local airport for flights on Cessnas from Carmelo to the Buenos Aires Airport for Varig flights to the United States.
Written By Diane Z. Bowen, Chief Administrative OfficerThomas R. Murphy, President