N.B.

Edward R. Becker is among the finest jurists in our history. He served for three decades as a United States Judge, including with the highest distinction as United States Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit until his retirement in 2003.

A native Philadelphian, Judge Becker in 2002 was named the outstanding federal jurist in America, and in 2003 Temple University conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa. Judge Becker’s combination of brilliance, humanity and modesty are obvious in his response to President David Adamany’s presentation of the honorary degree at the Annual Commencement. Those remarks have an inspirational quality that should be widely disseminated, and for that reason they are reprinted here.

Peter J. Liacouras

February 2, 2004

Temple University Commencement Address

by

Edward R. Becker

Chief Judge

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

May 22, 2003

ADDRESS OF JUDGE EDWARD R. BECKER

DELIVERED AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT

May 22, 2003

Thank you, President Adamany, Chairman Gittis, Dean Reinstein, and Temple University for the signal honor you have conferred upon me today. It is the greatest honor that I have every received.

I have traveled here today from the house in Frankford in which I have lived since I was a small child. Legal wags often say that the definition of an “expert” is someone from out of town. In my case, you have found your honoree within the frame of reference immortalized by the founder of Temple University, Dr. Russell Conwell, in his world-famous speech “Acres of Diamonds,” – right in your own backyard.

Temple has become one of the great institutions of higher learning in America. The roster of its graduates who have distinguished themselves in countless forms of endeavor bears witness to that fact. I congratulate your parents, because their love and support have been the most enduring forces in your lives. Your parents have afforded you the independence to achieve the things we celebrate today.

I am honored today mostly for my work in the law, and hence I think it only right that I say at least a few things about it.

The greatness and stability of America is made possible only because we are governed by the rule of law. My fellow judges and I work hard everyday to try to uphold the rule of law by administering justice without regard to person, rich or poor, as our oath of office requires. In my view, it is the forceful presence of a independent judiciary that has set America apart from the rest of the world and ensured that the promise of liberty will always be a reality. I must also add that we judges are aided in our task by a vigorous bar. And no institution has trained more successful lawyers (and also judges) than Temple Law School. My hat is off to Dean Bob Reinstein and to his decanal predecessors, including my dear friend, Chancellor Peter Liacouras for making this happen.

But the rule of law and the freedoms that is makes possible do not depend alone on constitutions or legislatures or courts. In the oft-quoted words of Judge Learned Hand: “Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, nor court can save it.” I urge upon you that each of us must commit ourselves to supporting the rule of law, even when we chafe under its slowness to respond to our own predilections or to the popular will of the moment.

It is common for commencement speakers to exhort graduates to change the world. While I have no doubt that there is enough practical moral ambition in this Center today to have enormous impact, such exhortations have always seemed to me to be grandiose. I do believe, however, that within a narrower compass, you graduates can make a crucial difference. My focus is not on the world or society at large but on the institutions, organizations and communities to which you are attached. It has become apparent that to meet the growing needs of human beings in our society we can no longer rely solely on governments, which have grown bureaucratic, impersonal and insensitive. Rather it is we human beings who have creativity, sensitivity and responsiveness to best meet the needs of others. I entreat all of you to heed this call to public life within the framework of the institutions, organizations and communities to which you belong and from which you draw your strength.

I hope that in my own life in the Philadelphia community I have made good on this summons. To the extent that I have succeeded, I must give credit to a few precepts by which I have tried to live and which I pass on to you, believing that they may have some value in your own lives.

First, I always keep in mind what the columnist George Will said about the movie character Bull Durham, the journeyman catcher who, after years of struggle, finally made it to the big leagues: Bull Durham had learned the ultimate lesson of life: “nothing lasts, everything must be earned anew, on the next pitch, in the next inning, in the next game.” As applied to my work as a judge, no matter what your accomplishments or reputation, you are only as good as your last case. This is true for everyone’s work.

Second, never take anyone for granted. Always work at relationships. Treat people with decency and consideration. And promptly return their telephone calls. In the end, you will be measured by how you deal with people.

Third, as I learned on my first day on the bench 32 years ago, there are two sides to every story. Don’t be sure you are always right. Learn to compromise. Compromise is the essence of getting things done.

Finally, work extremely hard at whatever you are doing. No one can see too far ahead. One success leads to another, often in the most unexpected ways.

To all the graduates, I wish good luck. To Temple, I again say thank you for this magnificent honor.