Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation reposted this
Yesterday I had one of the most professionally and personally rewarding experiences of my career(s). I am still pinching myself - I was so nervous, so honored, and just quite overwhelmed with emotion at being asked by Judge Terry Crone to sing the national anthem at his retirement ceremony in the Indiana Supreme Court - America’s oldest courtroom, located here in Indianapolis. Talk about an intimidating audience - Court of Appeals judges, Supreme Court justices, legislators, and federal and trial judges from around the state were gathered in this celebration of a 40-year judicial career by one of Indiana’s finest judges. Judge Crone hails from South Bend, Indiana. He is one of those people who cares so much, it hurts. He grew up in a housing project in South Bend and knows that life can be tough. He has never stopped being tough. He makes you tougher - and funnier - just being around him. Our shared South Bend connections have meant a lot to the both of us during our years working together. I can say with sincerity that I love - yes, love - all of the 15 judges of the Court of Appeals of Indiana. They have welcomed me into their lives - their family - with trust and kindness. They are wildly strong people with a moral compass and tenacity that humbles you, because they are so real and so fun. And so very loving. I am so grateful for their support and trust in the courtroom and in the opera house. This opportunity, though, was next level. I will be thinking of this special moment for the rest of my life. You can see my now-most-treasured memory here at minute 1:14. (https://lnkd.in/geKcu6DC). Listen to Chief Judge Altice’s quip at the end of the song for a laugh!