This summary provides the key details from the document in 3 sentences: Former Chief Justice John Broderick gave remarks thanking the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College for the opportunity to serve as a Perkins Bass Fellow. He discussed his unique connection to Perkins Bass, whose company once employed Broderick's grandfather. Broderick went on to describe how his childhood and family history inspired his interest in public service, and recounted experiences like meeting President John F. Kennedy that reinforced his commitment to a career in public life.

1. REMARKS'OF'FORMER'CHIEF'JUSTICE'AND'PERKINS'BASS'FELLOW'
JOHN'T.'BRODERICK,'JR.'
THE'ROCKEFELLER'CENTER'AT'DARTMOUTH'COLLEGE'
OCTOBER'15,'2014'
''
As'I'close'out'my'time'at'Dartmouth'as'a'Perkins'Bass'Fellow'I'want'to'thank'the'Rockefeller'Center'for'
the'exceptional'opportunity'they'have'given'me'to'be'here'on'several'occasions'during'the'past'year'to'
meet'and'exchange'ideas'with'so'many'talented'students'and'faculty.''
'
I'have'an'unusual'connection'to'Perkins'Bass'that'made'my'experience'here'all'the'more'special.''Let'me'
explain.'Perkins'Bass'was'born'in'East'Walpole,'Massachusetts'–'a'small'town'southwest'of'Boston'–'
and'for'years'served'on'the'Board'and'as'CEO'of'the'company'that'owned'the'Bird'and'Son'mill'there.''
My'grandfather,'who'emigrated'from'Ireland,'worked'his'way'up'to'be'a'shop'supervisor'in'that'mill.''
Like'Perkins'Bass'my'father'was'born'in'East'Walpole,'too.'I'have'a'lot'of'childhood'memories'of'that'
town'and'of'the'mill'itself.''It'was'less'than'half'a'mile'from'my'grandfather’s'house.'
'
Each'time'I'drove'to'Dartmouth'this'past'year'somewhere'along'Route'89'I'caught'myself'replaying'a'lot'
of'those'childhood'memories.'I'realized'that'in'many'ways'I'had'stood'on'my'grandfather’s'broad'
shoulders'in'being'chosen'to'honor'Perkins'Bass'and'his'distinguished'public'service.''My'grandfather'
never'graduated'from'high'school,'so'he'would'think'it'special'that'his'grandson'was'engaging'students'
at'Dartmouth'while'honoring'the'CEO'of'the'company'where'he'spent'most'of'his'working'life.'
'
I'wasn’t'at'all'sure'what'I'should'talk'about'today,'but'finally'decided'that'I'should'talk'about'my'own'
public'service.''Not'because'it'is'particularly'noteworthy'or'more'important'than'that'of'many'others,'
but'because'it'tested'and'challenged'me'in'personal'and'professional'ways'I'couldn’t'have'imagined.''It'
changed'me'and'made'me'stronger'–'and'wiser.''
'
My'fifteen'years'on'the'New'Hampshire'Supreme'Court'gave'me'the'exceptional'privilege'to'do'justice'
in'the'lives'of'others'as'best'I'could'discern'it,'but'those'same'years'taught'me'how'important'it'was'to'
be'steadfast'in'whatever'public'service'I'accepted'and'to'not'let'others'deter'me'from'serving'or'
continuing'to'serve'regardless'of'the'discomfort'their'actions'caused'me.'
'
I'don’t'share'my'story'with'you'to'deter'you'from'serving.''To'the'contrary,'I'hope'that'the'unparalleled'
rewards'of'public'service'will'attract'some'of'you'for'at'least'a'portion'of'your'adult'lives.''Public'service'
is'never'easy,'but'it'is'always'important.''Given'the'tumultuous'and'uncertain'times'in'which'we'live,'the'
public'sector'could'make'good'use'of'your'integrity,'intelligence'and'idealism.''But'I'do'hope'my'story'
will'enlighten'you'on'the'potential'perils'of'public'life.''I’ve'never'talked'about'it'in'any'public'forum'
although'I'did'testify'in'one.'But'this'seems'a'good'and'meaningful'opportunity'to'speak'about'it.'
'''''
Text

2. Let'me'begin'by'giving'you'some'brief'context'of'my'own'aspirations'for'public'service'because'I'believe'
that'all'of'us'are'essentially'the'sum'total'of'our'life'experience'as'well'as'the'stories,'experiences'and'
character'of'those'who'helped'guide'us'and'form'us.''But'we'can'also'be'shaped'by'those'who'inspire'
us;'by'those'whose'lives'seem'larger,'more'selfless'and'more'noble.''All'of'that'would'be'true'for'my'
life.''My'role'models'are'the'reason'I'never'left'my'post'when'my'public'service'became'almost'
unbearable.'
'
I'was'born'in'the'fall'of'1947.'The'war'to'end'all'wars'was'over,'Israel'was'on'the'cusp'of'becoming'a'
nation,'the'United'States'was'rebuilding'Europe'through'the'Marshall'Plan,'the'United'Nations'was'two'
years'old.'Frank'Sinatra'and'Frankie'Laine'topped'the'charts'and'commercial'television'was'in'only'
44,000'American'homes.'A'car'cost'$1,500'and'you'could'own'a'new'house'for'$13,000.'All'things'
seemed'possible'as'America's'greatest'generation'turned'its'attention'to'building'the'largest'and'most'
inclusive'middle`class'in'world'history.''
'
But'there'were'real'problems,'too.'Segregation'was'common,'lynchings'were'tolerated,'opportunities'
for'women'outside'the'home'were'few'and'no'one'would'have'publicly'declared'they'were'gay'without'
paying'a'high'price.'America'still'had'a'lot'of'growing'up'to'do.'But'I'wouldn't'know'that'for'many'years.'
'
Because'of'my'mother’s'intense'interest'in'the'world'beyond'our'town’s'borders,'I'began'to'understand'
at'an'early'age'that'politics'mattered'and'that'some'politicians'seemed'to'focus'mostly'on'those'who'
needed'a'hand'up'while'others'thought'that'what'was'good'for'business'was'good'for'everyone.'But'all'
of'them'seemed'decent'and'well`intended.'''
'
My'mother'believed'that'Franklin'Roosevelt'was'a'near`saint'and'that'we'all'had'an'obligation'to'pay'
attention'to'the'world'around'us'–'however'large'or'small'that'world'was'`'and'do'what'we'could'to'
help'those'who'were'not'as'lucky'as'we'were.'I'had'no'idea'who'those'people'might'be'or'where'they'
lived.'I'just'knew'they'weren't'in'my'neighborhood.'But'my'mother'seemed'worried'about'them;'really'
concerned'about'them.'I'thought'I'should,'too.'
'
I'remember'as'a'child'overhearing'my'relatives'telling'stories'of'the'Great'Depression,'of'people'they'
knew'who'lost'their'jobs'and'homes,'of'going'without,'of'people'losing'almost'everything'they'owned.'
Some'even'lost'their'dignity.'I'also'remember'my'grandmother's'stories'about'her'trip'to'America'all'by'
herself'when'she'was'just'sixteen,'told'with'a'bit'of'an'Irish'brogue,'as'we'sat'around'after'dinner'with'
my'aunts'and'uncles'on'many'Thanksgiving'nights'in'East'Walpole.'I'remember'how'grateful'my'
grandmother'was'to'be'here.'I'also'recall'being'surprised'she'hadn’t'been'born'here.'Whatever'my'
family’s'path,'it'was'clear'we'didn’t'arrive'on'the'Mayflower.'
'
I'remember'a'Massachusetts'Senator'by'the'name'of'John'F.'Kennedy'almost'winning'the'nomination'
for'Vice'President'at'the'1956'Democratic'National'Convention.'I'recall'being'mesmerized'by'the'
spectacle'of'it'all.'My'mother'and'I'watched'almost'every'minute.'I'was'nine'years'old.'My'mother'
talked'to'me'during'those'days'about'Al'Smith'and'prejudice'against'Catholics`and'against'the'Irish,'too.'
Kennedy'was'Catholic'she'told'me.'That'seemed'important'to'her'so'it'became'important'to'me.''
''''

3. After'Senator'Kennedy'won'the'Presidency'in'1960'I'was'elated.'I'stayed'up'all'night'with'my'parents'
watching'the'electoral'map'and'waiting'endlessly'for'the'vote'from'Chicago.'When'Kennedy'was'
declared'the'winner'my'mother'actually'cried.'"It'is'history,"'she'declared'in'the'joy'of'our'small'living'
room'at'three'in'the'morning.'The'Catholics'and'the'Irish'had'fought'hard'to'be'accepted.'"They'had'
finally'achieved'it",'she'told'me.'She'was'so'proud.''
'
While'I'had'no'idea'what'that'history'was'and'couldn't'imagine'why'my'grandparents'would'have'been'
treated'badly'I'accepted'that'they'must'have'been`or'at'least'could'have'been.'I'was'glad'Kennedy'won,'
too.'I'was'proud'to'be'Catholic'and'Irish'on'that'November'night.'I'wasn't'sure'why'but'I'was.''
Something'important'had'happened.''That'much'I'knew.'
'
I'watched'Kennedy's'inaugural'address'that'cold'and'snowy'January'day'on'our'black'and'white'
television'and'although'I'was'only'thirteen'I'was'inspired.'Kennedy'was'so'much'younger'than'
Eisenhower'and'so'charismatic.'He'called'on'all'of'us'to'lead,'to'make'a'difference,'to'put'our'nation's'
interest'ahead'of'our'own.'I'wanted'to'follow'him.'I'wanted'to'do'something'important'in'public'service.'
He'somehow'made'it'matter.'
'
My'grandmother'wanted'me'to'be'a'priest'but'I'knew'I'could'never'learn'Latin.'I'didn't'even'want'to'be'
an'altar'boy.'Public'service'seemed'a'much'better'bet.'So'I'set'my'sights'on'it'without'any'idea'whether'
it'would'be'possible'and'knowing'nothing'of'its'challenges'or'price'of'entry.'
'
Just'a'few'months'later'`'and'while'I'was'in'the'eighth'grade'`'I'met'President'Kennedy'in'the'White'
House'Rose'Garden.'It’s'a'long'story'but'it'changed'my'life.'It'was'April'17th,'1961.'As'it'turned'out'it'
was'the'very'morning'of'the'Bay'of'Pigs,'the'failed'invasion'of'the'island'of'Cuba'and'Kennedy's'worst'
day'as'President.'But'he'still'met'with'us.''
'
He'shook'my'hand'and'asked'me'my'name.'I'must'have'blacked'out'after'that.'My'parents'told'me'that'I'
answered'him'and'told'him'that'I'was'honored'to'meet'him.'I'hope'they'weren't'just'being'nice.'But'
whatever'happened'in'the'exchange'I'had'met'my'hero.'I'didn't'wash'my'right'hand'for'days'–'and'the'
memory'never'washed'away.'
'
In'the'decade'that'followed'that'amazing'moment'I'began'to'come'to'terms'with'an'America'I'never'
knew'existed.'The'television'images'of'barbaric'attacks'on'unarmed'and'peacefully'marching'African`
Americans'in'several'Southern'cities'were'profoundly'disturbing.'Civil'rights'workers'were'sometimes'
killed'and'many'were'under'constant'threat.'They'were'extraordinarily'brave'people'I'thought'who'
weren’t'obligated'to'be'involved.''They'chose'to'be'–'and'at'great'personal'risk.'I'wasn’t'sure'I'would'
have'had'their'courage.'
'
I'remember'seeing'pictures'of'a'burned`out'Baptist'church'where'four'young'girls'were'killed'one'night'
in'1963'in'Birmingham,'Alabama'when'it'was'torched'by'the'Klan.''
'
I'remember'the'image'of'Governor'George'Wallace'standing'in'defiance'of'the'federal'government'at'
the'University'of'Alabama.''But'James'Meredith'was'ultimately'enrolled'there'under'the'watchful'eye'of'
the'Attorney'General'of'the'United'States,'and'in'the'presence'of'federal'troops'and'federal'marshals.'
'

4. 'In'the'span'of'five'years'I'witnessed'with'crushing'intensity'the'unimaginable'assassinations'of'the'three'
people'I'most'admired'in'public'life:'President'Kennedy,'Martin'Luther'King,'and'Bobby'Kennedy.'They'
stood'for'inclusion,'tolerance'and'progress'on'many'fronts.'Ignorance`driven'hate'had'killed'them'but'
could'not'eradicate'what'they'stood'for;'what'they'had'died'trying'to'accomplish.'They'never'backed'
down.'
'
But'amidst'the'sadness'and'insanity'I'also'saw'change'happening.'The'1964'Civil'Rights'Act'and'the'
reach'of'Lyndon'Johnson's'Great'Society'brought'help'and'hope'to'people'and'places'where'both'had'
been'in'short'supply.'The'March'on'Washington'began'decades'of'change'in'civil'rights'culminating'in'
the'election'of'an'African`American'President'more'than'forty'years'later.'The'forces'of'moral'change'
once'unleashed'go'where'they'will'and'almost'never'follow'an'easy'or'predictable'path.'It'would'prove'
a'long'and'difficult'journey'from'the'Edmund'Pettus'Bridge'in'Selma'to'the'U.S.'Capital'for'Barack'
Obama's'swearing`in.'It'was'bitter'cold'and'clear'that'January'morning'in'2008'as'I'stood'with'more'than'
a'million'people'on'the'Mall'but'I'felt'the'pull,'the'obligation,'to'be'there'just'to'witness'it.'The'courage'
of'politicians,'the'unrelenting'resolve'of'African`Americans,'the'tenacity'of'lawyers,'the'strength'of'
enlightened'legislators'and'judges'and'the'evolving'tolerance'of'the'American'people'had'made'real'
change'possible.'Without'lives'committed'to'the'common'good'that'incredible'journey'would'not'have'
been'possible.'Those'years'of'progress'and'courage'only'intensified'what'seemed'my'gravitational'pull'
towards'public'service.'
'
Just'two'years'after'I'graduated'from'law'school'President'Nixon'was'impeached'for'violating'the'trust'
of'the'American'people,'not'to'mention'a'few'criminal'laws.''He'left'after'impeachment'votes'against'
him.'He'was'an'exceptional'President'in'many'ways'but'his'imperfections'consumed'him.'
'I
t'was'both'a'sad'and'a'proud'day'in'American'politics'when'he'flew'away'by'helicopter'from'the'South'
Lawn'of'the'White'House'in'August,'1974.'It'had'been'a'fair'and'bi`partisan'process'and'America's'long'
nightmare'truly'was'over.'It'was'time'to'rebuild.''President'Ford'was'out'of'central'casting.''The'
country’s'debt'to'him'can'never'be'repaid.'
'
Little'did'I'think'that'day'as'I'watched'the'disgraced'President's'final'salute'from'the'open'door'of'his'
helicopter,'that'I'would'one'day'be'subject'to'an'impeachment'investigation'myself,'that'my'ethics'
would'be'publicly'questioned'in'televised'hearings'that'were'also'carried'live'on'statewide'radio,'that'
my''professional'life'would'be'subject'to'negative'front'page'treatment'full'of'unfounded'speculation'
and'moral'righteousness'that'seemed'unrelenting;'that'my'many'colleagues'in'the'Bar'would'fall'silent'
in'the'face'of'false'accusations'and'negative'editorials;'that'I'would'feel'so'alone'and'misrepresented.'
All'that'would'have'seemed'surreal'in'1995'when'Governor'Merrill'nominated'me'to'our'state'Supreme'
Court.'But'it'became'destructively'real.'
'
I'had'never'really'thought'about'being'a'judge.'It'never'crossed'my'mind.'I'loved'my'career'as'a'trial'
lawyer'and'if'I'were'to'do'public'service,'I'thought,'it'would'be'in'an'elected'position'or'through'an'
appointment'to'an'executive'branch'post.'Judging'seemed'so'removed'from'the'intersection'of'life,'
people'and'politics'that'I'so'enjoyed;'so'structured'and'so'isolating'that'I'never'really'thought'of'it'as'a'
possibility.'But'when'Governor'Merrill'offered'it'in'the'summer'of'1995'I'didn't'hear'myself'say'“no”.'
'
'

5. I'guess'I'knew'what'a'unique'opportunity'it'was'and'that'it'would'likely'not'present'itself'a'second'time.'
It'was'public'service'of'a'kind'I'had'never'considered'but'it'was'important'public'service'nonetheless.'I'
accepted'the'Governor's'nomination'and'proudly'took'the'oath'that'November.'My'mother,'then'in'a'
wheel'chair'and'almost'18'months'a'widow,'sat'in'the'front'row'at'the'Supreme'Court'where'I'was'
sworn'in'that'clear'and'chilly'late`fall'morning.'A'lot'of'my'friends'and'family'were'there'to'witness'the'
oath'and'my'mother'cried'quietly'throughout'much'of'the'ceremony.'I'am'sure'that'in'her'life's'journey'
my'oath'was'proof'positive'that'progress'for'Irish'Catholics'was'hitting'very'close'to'home.'I'wish'my'
father'could'have'witnessed'it.'I'knew'my'mother'did,'too.''I’m'sure'that'explained'some'of'her'tears.'
'
To'my'surprise'I'adjusted'quickly'to'my'new'role.'I'enjoyed'the'daily'challenge'and'freshness'of'the'job'
and'the'opportunity'to'learn'the'law'and'apply'it'in'so'many'different'contexts.'While'I'was'removed'for'
sure'from'the'opportunities'and'spontaneity'of'my'former'life'judging'had'its'own'unique'rewards'and'
satisfactions.'I'was,'after'five'years,'beginning'to'understand'the'special'rhythms'of'the'job'and'its'many'
responsibilities.'I'was'satisfied'that'I'was'learning'the'craft'of'appellate'judging.'I'had'grown'to'love'my'
work.'And'then'February'2000'arrived.'
'
It'was'a'Friday.'Just'another'Friday'in'a'too`long'New'England'winter.'There'was'nothing'exceptional'
about'the'day'when'it'began'but'it'would'be'later'dissected'and'analyzed'by'others'in'the'painful'and'
very'public'months'to'come.'It'would'soon'be'the'principle'topic'of'23'days'of'public'hearings'by'the'
House'Judiciary'Committee,'lead'to'the'resignation'of'a'Supreme'Court'justice'and'rock'the'institution'
of'our'state'Supreme'Court'to'its'core.'It'also'was'the'reason'I'stepped'down'from'the'bench'for'more'
than'five'months.'
'
One'of'my'colleagues'on'the'Supreme'Court,'someone'I'considered'a'friend,'was'in'the'midst'of'a'messy'
divorce.'It'had'been'very'hard'on'him'and'it'had'shown.'His'divorce'was'now'on'appeal'to'the'very'court'
I'sat'on.'Obviously,'all'of'us'had'recused'ourselves'from'sitting'on'his'case.'A'substitute'Supreme'Court'
would'need'to'be'appointed.'Since'that'responsibility'fell'to'the'then'Chief'Justice'I'had'never'given'it'
any'thought.'
'
As'all'five'judges'and'our'legal'counsel'were'seated'in'the'Court's'large'conference'room'that'Friday'
afternoon'soon'to'begin'a'discussion'of'routine'judicial'branch'matters'when'the'Chief'Justice'
spontaneously'reported'in'a'matter`of`fact'way'that'he'had'appointed'the'substitute'panel'whom'he'
identified'by'name.''
'
I'was'reading'and'paid'little'attention.'It'was'of'no'concern'to'me.''Almost'instantly,'my'colleague'whose'
divorce'was'at'stake'blurted'out'that'one'of'the'five'appointed'judges'couldn't'possibly'be'fair'to'him.'
Another'colleague'added'his'displeasure.'The'Chief'then'left'the'conference'room.'I'had'no'idea'where'
he'had'gone.'
'
The'Chief'returned'a'few'minutes'later'and'told'us'that'he'had'checked'with'our'Clerk'of'Court'and'that'
the'order'making'the'appointments'had'already'been'issued'and'would'stand.'He'then'said'curtly'that'
the'appointed'panel'would'be'fair.'
'
'

6. We'then'proceeded'to'the'business'at'hand'but'I'was'concerned'by'what'had'occurred.'Viewed'in'its'
worst'light'it'was'an'ex`parte'attempt'by'a'party'to'a'case'who'happened'to'be'a'lawyer'and'judge'
himself'to'influence'a'sitting'justice.'That'would'be'unethical'and'could'be'criminal.'The'good'news'was'
that'the'original'panel'had'not'been'changed.''But'it'seemed'to'me'that'there'had'been'an'ethical'lapse'
and'perhaps'a'violation'of'criminal'law.''
'
What'was'most'troubling'is'that'I'knew'these'people'well'and'knew'that'no'one'acted'with'malice'or'
with'premeditation.'These'were'honorable'people'with'years'of'dedicated'and'respected'public'service'
behind'them.'They'were'my'colleagues'whom'I'both'liked'and'admired.'It'was'all'so'spontaneous'and'
unfortunate'and'driven'by'the'stress'of'a'very'public'divorce.''I'knew'that'and'I'knew'what'had'occurred'
was'just'a'simple'human'error.''I'knew'it'had'never'happened'at'the'court'before'–'or'since.'
'
After'sleepless'nights'and'several'discussions'we'hired'outside'counsel'to'advise'us'what'we'should'do.'
A'few'days'later'and'about'a'week'or'so'after'the'events'of'that'Friday'we'made'a'group'report'to'the'
judicial'conduct'committee'recounting'exactly'what'had'happened'on'that'fateful'Friday.'Our'Clerk'of'
Court'had'made'his'own'report'a'few'days'earlier.'
'
We'suspended'our'colleague'with'pay'until'the'conduct'committee'could'conclude'its'work.'Confronted'
with'a'suspension'our'colleague'sued'us'in'federal'court.'The'conduct'committee,'apparently'believing'
that'a'criminal'violation'might'have'occurred'that'Friday'in'the'conference'room,'made'a'referral'to'the'
New'Hampshire'Attorney'General,'who'after'a'brief'investigation,'was'about'to'convene'a'grand'jury.'I'
was'scheduled'to'testify.'My'world'was'spiraling'away'from'me.'I'still'remember'looking'out'my'window'
at'the'court'one'afternoon'and'seeing'an'ABC'news'truck'setting'up'its'cameras'in'front'of'our'building.'
My'public'life'had'changed'in'an'instant`an'instant'I'had'merely'witnessed.'
'
Without'warning'and'on'the'eve'of'the'grand'jury'convening'my'colleague'subject'to'its'investigation'
suddenly'resigned.'The'grand'jury'never'met.''I'was'genuinely'saddened'for'him'and'for'what'had'
happened'but'at'least'it'was'likely'over`'or'so'I'thought.'
'
A'few'days'later'the'Attorney'General'released'his'report'publicly.''It'made'a'number'of'serious'
accusations'about'the'conduct'of'our'court.'The'Attorney'General'then'passed'his'report'to'the'state'
legislature'to'see'if'they'wanted'to'pursue'an'impeachment'investigation.''
'
We'decided'to'deliver'a'“live”'press'statement'from'the'well'of'the'Supreme'Court'that'was'broadcast'
statewide'on'Channel'9'where'the'Chief'Justice'denied'the'Attorney'General's'accusations.'But'at'that'
moment'no'one'was'listening.'My'public'life'was'simply'imploding'and'the'entire'court'staff'was'visibly'
shaken.'It'was'front'page'news'everywhere.'Editorials'followed.'While'I'was'not'the'principal'target'I'
was'certainly'included.'In'the'months'to'follow'one'or'two'newspapers'in'New'Hampshire'called'for'me'
to'resign.'Almost'no'one'spoke'up'for'us.'Even'the'people'who'knew'us'best'were'largely'silent.'
'
Because'the'court'was'under'a'withering'attack'almost'every'day'in'the'media'I'felt'it'was'best'to'step'
down'until'my'name'was'cleared.'From'“what”'I'wasn’t'sure'but'the'drum'beat'of'wrongdoing'was'
deafening.'Due'process'seemed'the'first'victim.''It'was'nearly'impossible'to'judge'while'being'castigated'
as'unworthy'of'the'public's'trust.''
'

7. During'my'time'off'the'bench'I'found'myself'one'morning'in'a'two`row'drive`up'window'at'a'bank'in'
Manchester.'The'woman'in'the'adjacent'row'whom'I'had'never'seen'before'signaled'me'to'roll'down'
my'window.'I'didn't'know'her'but'accommodated'her'request.'"Are'you'Justice'Broderick?”,'she'asked.'
"I'am",'I'replied.'With'real'distain'she'snapped,'"You'should'be'ashamed'of'yourself."'There'was'no'
point'trying'to'explain'so'I'rolled'my'window'up.'But'it'was'apparent'my'name'and'reputation'were'
being'damaged.'She'believed'the'speculation'and'innuendo.''
'
There'were'probably'a'lot'of'people'just'like'her'I'thought'on'my'long'ride'home.'Maybe'my'public'
career'really'was'in'jeopardy,'maybe'I'really'would'be'impeached'and'there'seemed'nothing'I'could'do'
to'stop'the'bleeding.'I'just'had'to'wait'my'turn'to'testify'before'the'House'Judiciary'Committee'but'that'
would'be'several'endless,'sleepless'months'down'the'road.'
'
In'the'ensuing'weeks'my'deposition'was'taken'by'a'Boston'lawyer'hired'by'the'New'Hampshire'House'
while'several'court'personnel'and'fellow'judges'were'deposed,'too.'Every'day'I'read'stories'and'quotes'
from'perfect'strangers'`'ethicists'and'others'`'sometimes'from'states'half'way'across'the'country'`'
taking'shots'at'the'court.'It'never'ceased'to'amaze'me'how'people'who'knew'little'felt'privileged'to'pile'
on.'
'
After'three'months'off'the'bench'and'a'lot'of'3:00'a.m.'awakenings'I'got'a'call'from'the'chair'of'the'
Judicial'Conduct'Committee.'He'told'me'that'the'Committee'had'reviewed'my'conduct'surrounding'that'
fateful'Friday'and'beyond.'I'held'my'breath.'He'told'me'that'there"'was'insufficient'evidence'of'
wrongdoing'on'my'part'to'investigate'me'any'further".'They'were'willing'to'issue'a'public'statement'to'
that'effect'if'I'wanted.'Being'cleared'was'the'best'news'I'could'have'hoped'for.'I'told'him'that'I'would'
be'grateful'to'the'Committee'if'they'did'it'as'quickly'and'publicly'as'possible.'At'that'moment'I'hoped'it'
would'help,'and'that'everything'would'be'over.'
'
Within'days'it'was'a'headline.'But'as'it'turned'out'my'“exoneration”'was'a'one`day'blip.''I'was'almost'
like'it'never'happened.'
'
On'the'last'day'of'June'my'turn'came'to'testify'before'the'House'Judiciary'Committee.'I'had'been'
waiting'for'many'months.'I'had'watched'every'hour'of'the'hearings'every'day'for'more'than'two'weeks.'
The'hearings'had'been'painful'to'watch.'But'finally'it'was'my'turn.'I'will'always'remember'that'drive'to'
Concord'with'my'wife'that'morning.'Neither'one'of'us'spoke'much.'Oddly,'I'was'thinking'of'that'young'
man'inspired'decades'earlier'to'public'service'and'of'my'family.'I'had'no'idea'how'things'might'turn'out.''
Maybe'my'career'in'public'service'would'soon'be'ending'in'disgrace'`just'like'Nixon's.'If'it'didn't,'maybe,'
I'thought,'I'should'just'leave'anyway.'The'last'five'months'had'taken'a'real'toll'on'me'and'my'family.'
'
Before'the'hearings'began'in'the'packed'hearing'room'the'Committee's'lawyer,'the'man'who'had'taken'
my'deposition'months'earlier,'called'me'aside.'"I'was'thinking'as'I'was'driving'over'here'this'morning'
from'Keene,"'he'said'in'a'hushed'voice,'"what'I'would'have'done'differently'if'I'had'been'you.'I'couldn't'
think'of'anything",'he'said'with'a'soft'smile.'"When'this'is'over'please'go'back'on'the'bench.'That's'
where'you'belong."'"I'will",'I'said,'"if'I'm'given'the'chance."'I'have'always'been'grateful'that'he'shared'
that.''He'knew'the'case'as'well'as'anyone.'
'

8. I'testified'for'hours.'Some'of'the'Committee'members'were'clearly'not'in'my'camp.'Near'the'end'I'was'
weary'of'it'all.'In'response'to'a'question'relating'to'the'time'it'had'taken'me'and'my'colleagues'to'
report'the'Friday'incident'to'the'Judicial'Conduct'Committee.'I'replied,"'If'my'professional'career'was'so'
wounded'that'it'might'come'to'an'end'I'would'hope'my'colleagues'would'have'a'few'sleepless'nights,'
too."'And'then'I'concluded,'"I'don't'apologize'for'what'I'did.'I'am'at'peace'with'it.'If'this'Committee'
doesn't'think'I'have'the'character'and'ethics'to'serve'on'the'Supreme'Court'then'you'should'vote'to'
remove'me."'I'was'glad'I'said'it.'I'knew'I'had'thrown'down'a'challenge'but'somehow'I'felt'complete.'I'
knew'who'I'was.'I'knew'public'service'would'have'its'tough'days'but'in'my'wildest'imagination'I'could'
never'have'imagined'that'moment.''
'
In'the'end'the'Committee'took'four'votes`from'admonition'to'impeachment.'I'remember'listening'to'
them'on'the'radio'because'my'television'was'out'of'commission.'My'wife'and'son'were'in'the'car'with'
me'as'we'pulled'over'to'the'curb'on'a'tree'lined'street'in'Manchester'to'listen.'Each'member'voted'in'
succession.'When'the'votes'were'tallied'and'I'had'won'by'large'majorities'both'my'wife'and'son'began'
crying.'But'I'knew'it'wasn't'over'for'me'until'the'entire'House'voted.'
'
A'week'or'so'later'they'did.'I'escaped'impeachment'by'a'small'number'of'votes'despite'the'"don't'
impeach”'recommendation'of'the'House'Judiciary'Committee",'and'my'exoneration'by'the'Judicial'
Conduct'Committee.'I'remember'getting'a'phone'call'that'night'from'then'Senator'Joe'Biden'whom'I'
had'known'for'years.'"Congratulations'",'he'said,"'in'a'supportive'way,”'on'your'election'to'the'Supreme'
Court."'His'call'meant'the'world'to'my'wife'and'me'that'night.''I'will'never'forget'it.''
'
But'the'Chief'Justice'was'impeached'for'reasons'that'I'thought'then'and'now'were'not'sound.''I'testified'
at'his'trial'in'late'September'on'live'television'and'radio.'The'Chief'was'overwhelmingly'acquitted'of'any'
impeachable'offense.''It'had'been'an'agonizing'journey'for'him'and'his'family.'
'
The'most'painful'part'of'the'whole'experience'happened,'oddly'enough,'as'I'was'leaving'the'Senate'
hearing'after'my'testimony'at'the'Chief's'trial'and'following'months'of'unspeakable'anguish'for'me,'my'
family'and'close'friends.'The'moment'is'seared'in'my'mind'to'this'day.''
'
A'member'of'the'House'Judiciary'Committee,'someone'I'had'come'to'know'and'respect,'escorted'me'
from'the'trial'chamber'in'the'Legislative'Office'Building'with'his'hand'casually'draped'on'my'right'
shoulder.'"Did'anyone'explain'the'impeachment'vote'against'you'Judge?”'he'asked'me'in'the'way'a'
caring'friend'might'ask.'"No,'they'never'did,"'I'said,'hoping'he'would'tell'me.''He'quickly'added'in'a'
mater`of`fact'tone,"'I'can'tell'you'in'one'word,'Judge".'"What's'that?"'I'responded.'"Claremont"'he'said'
with'a'sly'grin.'Claremont'was'code'for'the'public'school'funding'cases'where'our'Court'had'told'the'
legislature'it'was'not'meeting'its'Constitutional'obligation'to'fund'public'education.'"Should'I'feel'good'
about'that?"'I'asked.'"I'don't'know'if'you'should'feel'good'about'it,'Judge,'but'it's'the'truth.'They'had'a'
shot'at'your'head'and'they'took'it.'It'wasn't'personal.'“Funny",'I'said,'"it'sure'felt'personal."'Neither'he'
nor'anyone'else'has'ever'said'publicly'what'he'told'me'privately.'But'I'will'never'forget'it.'
'
I'survived'and'went'back'to'work'on'the'court'for'another'decade`seven'of'those'years'as'Chief'Justice.'
One'afternoon'years'after'the'impeachment'was'in'the'rear`view'mirror'a'former'president'of'the'New'
Hampshire'Bar'came'to'see'me.''He'apologized'for'things'he'said'about'me'and'my'ethics'in'the'heat'of'
the'moment.''I'admired'that'he'did'that'and'it'helped'me'to'gain'closure.'''
'

9. Just'three'weeks'ago'they'unveiled'a'portrait'of'me'at'the'Supreme'Court'that'is'now'hanging'in'the'
courtroom.'It'was'a'pretty'humbling'experience.''I'will'always'be'proud'that'I'never'left'my'post'and'
grateful'to'my'family'and'a'few'close'friends'who'gave'me'the'strength'to'stay.'All'those'heroes'from'
my'younger'life,'I'thought,'wouldn't'have'left'either.'Their'amazing'perseverance'that'inspired'me'years'
earlier'had'fueled'my'resolve.'I’m'grateful'it'did.'
'
When'I'returned'to'the'court'after'a'very'trying'year'I'did'wonder'whether'my'zest'for'public'service'
would'be'gone.'I'expected'it'might.''But'it'never'left.''I'did'not'grow'bitter'and'I'never'went'back'to'see'
how'people'voted'in'the'House.''Somehow'that'didn’t'seem'important.'''
'
I'loved'my'public'service'and'was'very'privileged'to'have'served'on'the'court.''I'would'gladly'do'it'again,'
but'I'would'now'better'understand'the'uncertainties'of'public'service'and'the'intentions'of'others.'
'
After'fifteen'years'on'the'court'I'joined'the'law'school'at'the'University.''I'now'serve'as'Executive'
Director'of'the'Warren'B.'Rudman'Center'there.''I'admired'Senator'Rudman'for'his'principled'political'
courage.'One'of'the'Center’s'goals'is'to'inspire'budding'lawyers'to'public'service'by'exposing'them'to'its'
singular'importance'through'the'many'remarkable'people'now'or'formerly'in'public'life'who'have'
visited'and'will'continue'to'visit'and'speak'at'the'Center.''I'believe'that'exposure'will'matter'and'inspire.'
'
I'am'as'committed'to'public'service'today'as'I'was'all'those'years'ago.''I'have'witnessed'its'power'to'
effect'fundamental'change'in'civil'rights,'women’s'rights'and'human'rights'–'both'here'and'around'the'
world.''I'have'personally'experienced'its'exhilaration'and'its'challenges.'
'
I'still'believe'that'every'generation'has'an'obligation'to'move'the'needle.''Public'service'is'a'good'way'to'
try.'While'it'is'not'for'the'faint'of'heart'or'for'the'easily'discouraged,'it'can'change'your'life'–'and'you'
can'change'the'lives'of'others.'
'
It'is'more'than'worth'the'risk.''I'speak'from'personal'experience.''Making'a'difference'is'ultimately'more'
important'than'making'a'profit.'
'