Proclaiming May 4, 2000 as Jury Appreciation Day.

WHEREAS

,

The right to a trial by jury is one of the core values of American citizenship; and

WHEREAS

,

The obligation and privilege to serve as a juror are as fundamental to our democracy as the right to vote; and

WHEREAS

,

Our courts depend upon citizens to serve as jurors; and

WHEREAS

,

Service by citizens as jurors is indispensable to the judicial system; and

WHEREAS, More citizens should be encouraged to respond when summoned for jury service; and

WHEREAS, A continuing and imperative goal for the courts, the bar, and civic organizations, including Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, is to ensure that jury selection and jury service are fair, effective, and not unduly burdensome on the community; and

WHEREAS, The courts the bar, civic associations, and individual citizens should have greater appreciation for the jury system and for the thousands of citizens who annually give of their time and talents to serve on juries; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That May 4, 2000 be designated “Jury Appreciation Day” in the City of Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Supports the celebration of this day in furtherance of the following goals: applauding the efforts of jurors who fulfill this most important civic duty; educating the public about jury duty and the importance of jury service; recognizing employers who fulfill their civic responsibility by supporting employees who are called upon to serve as jurors; ensuring that the responsibility of jury service is shared fairly among citizens and that a fair cross section of the community is called for jury service; ensuring that all jurors are treated with respect and that their service is not unduly burdensome; providing jurors with tools that will assist their decision making; and continuing to improve the jury system in the City of Philadelphia by encouraging productive dialogue between jurors and court officials.

End