A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, To honor and commend Chief Justice David Gilbertson for his dedicated services to his community and state.

WHEREAS, Chief Justice Gilbertson graduated from South Dakota State University in 1972 and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1975. He was in private practice for eleven years before being appointed as a Circuit Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Chief Justice Gilbertson was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1995 and was elected as Chief Justice by the members of the Supreme Court in 2001; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature wishes to join the many other entities that have recognized the contributions the Chief Justice has made to the legal system. Among the entities that have previously recognized the Chief Justice include the National Center for State Courts, which gave him the Distinguished Service Award for his defense of judicial independence, the American Bar Association which gave him the "Grass Roots" Award for his defense of judicial independence and developing programs to increase attorneys in rural areas, and the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University which have each selected him as a Distinguished Alumnus; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature wishes to recognize the substantial time and energy that Chief Justice Gilbertson has devoted outside the courtroom to supporting the legal system and the citizens of South Dakota. The Chief Justice has served on the Judicial-Bar Liaison Committee of the State Bar Association and as a Court Counselor for South Dakota Boys State since 1995. Chief Justice Gilbertson has held many positions with the Conference of Chief Justices, including serving as President of the conference for the 2015-16 term. He is the third longest tenured member in the United States, or its territories, of the Conference of Chief Justices and is the longest tenured Chief Justice in the state's history. Chief Justice Gilbertson has gone above and beyond the requirements of his position; and

WHEREAS, Chief Justice Gilbertson will be giving his nineteenth and final State of the Judiciary message to the Legislature on January 15th, 2020. It is fitting at this time that the distinguished career of Chief Justice Gilbertson be recognized by the entirety of the Legislature:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Fifth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the Legislature honors and commends Chief Justice David Gilbertson for his dedicated service to his community and state and extends its best wishes for continued health and happiness.

Larry Rhoden P resident of the Senate	Steven G. Haugaard Speaker of the House
Kay L. Johnson Secretary of the Senate	Mary Lou Goehring Chief Clerk of the House