President Clinton has announced his intention to renominate Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Arthur A. McGiverin to the national board to improve State courts.
McGiverin is a member of the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute. Board members serve for three years without compensation. McGiverin was nominated for his first term in September 1997 at the urging of Sen. Chuck Grassley. Nominations to the board must pass through the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Grassley serves as the third most senior member.
"Chief Justice McGiverin's experience and knowledge serve him well in this important position. He brings to the Board a practical approach and expertise gained from many years of work with the State courts," said Grassley.
McGiverin, of Des Moines, has served on the Iowa Supreme Court since 1978. He became Chief Justice in 1987. He also served as a judge in Iowa District Court for thirteen years. He is past president of the Conference of Chief Justices and past chair of the National Center for State Courts Board of Directors.
The State Justice Institute was established to award grants to improve judicial administration in State courts across the country. It was created by the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 as a private, non-profit corporation.
The 11-member Board of Directors is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Board is statutorily composed of six judges, a State court administrator, and four members of the public, of whom no more than two can be of the same political party. The State Justice Institute is authorized to provide funds — through grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts — to State courts and organizations. The Institute's goals are to:
• direct a national program of assistance to ensure that all U.S. citizens have ready access to a fair and effective judicial system;
• foster coordination and cooperation with the Federal Judiciary;
• serve as a clearinghouse and information center for the dissemination of information regarding State judicial systems;and,
• encourage education for judges and support personnel of State court systems.