“We are not just beneficiaries of the American promise of justice for all. …,
It falls on all of us to preserve, maintain and expand that promise
for the benefit of all people…”

–From Remarks by The Honorable Judge Jordan B. Yeager after his Investiture to the Court of Common Pleas, Bucks County

It is Friday January 3, 2020 when almost 200 citizens gather to witness the swearing-in of Jordan B. Yeager, a newly-elected Judge who will sit on the Common Pleas Court in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. We are on the 4th floor in Room 410 of the Justice Center…this new building where the lives of citizens are changed for better or worse. In my May 5, 2015 post—‘The Sins Committed In The Name of Progress’ about the demolition of the 1877 Court House, I briefly mentioned the Justice Center.  On Saturday January 10, 2015 a ceremony officially opened the Justice Center, replacing the”Rotunda” and Administration building that outgrew their use.

Now sitting in this room of the Justice Center, I’m OK with Progress even though a Bucks County historical treasure was lost when that classic structure, designed by Addison Hutton was demolished.

The Clerk announces Oyez, oyez, oyez for us to stand. The Judges enter, take their seats and then President Judge Honorable Wallace H. Bateman welcomes us to the Investiture of Jordan B. Yeager. With an increased number of dockets on the Court’s calendar it was determined that three additional Judges were needed. The other two newly installed Judges were sworn in earlier that morning: Denise Bowman and Charissa Liller.

Before administration of the Oath two colleagues of Jordan Yeager recall their years of collaboration with him. First, Bucks County Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia describes the valued counsel she received from Jordan, counsel that encouraged her to always bring people together.

Next to speak is Frank S. Guarrieri, Esq.—Managing Partner at Curtin & Heefner, LLP.  That is where Jordan spent eleven years litigating cases, some argued in front of the Pennsylvania Supreme, Commonwealth, or Superior Courts; and some in the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third, Second, and D.C. Circuits.

Jordan’s wife–the Honorable Kathy Boockvar, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—administers the Oath while their daughter Collette holds the Torah  from her father’s Bar Mitzvah; and the Constitutions of the United States and Pennsylvania State. These three vital documents charted the journey that began when Judge Yeager’s descendants escaped “…religious persecution in Eastern Europe …in search of Freedom and the American promise of justice for all.”

Numerous friends and family are thanked for traveling this road with him. However, the best appreciation is saved for last: Kathy and Collette–two companions who from the beginning were always along on this journey. “Their love—and their patience with me—has sustained me more than words can express.”

One final thought. When you receive that piece of mail notifying you to appear for “Jury Duty”… Do It if you can. No Excuses.