June 22, 2004

Governor Riley Appoints State Finance Director Nabers to Chief Justice

Alabama Governor Bob Riley congratulates newly appointed Alabama Chief Justice Drayton Nabers, Tuesday June 22, 2004, as Fairfax Nabers, center, looks on following the oath of office ceremony in the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama. (GOVERNOR'S OFFICE PHOTO)

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	Listen to Gov. Riley comments
	Listen to Chief Justice Nabers comments

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley on Tuesday appointed State Finance Director Drayton Nabers to fill the vacant seat of Chief Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court saying Nabers "represents the highest values we, as Alabamians, cherish."

"Over the past 18 months, my admiration for Drayton has continued to grow. I have come to know him not only as a successful businessman but also a man of compassion, a man of tremendous intellect, a legal scholar, and a person who represents the highest values we, as Alabamians, cherish.

"A deeply religious man who embodies all the attributes that I believe a judge must possess," Governor Riley said. "His broad experience, his work ethic and his love of our state make him eminently qualified to lead our highest court and to ensure to all Alabamians that justice will be equally and impartially administered under his watch."

In his remarks, Nabers outlined his vision for the state’s judicial system. He said he wants the judicial system to be one "where every judge sees himself or herself as a servant of the people and never seeks to make law but only to apply the law laid down in our constitutions and statutes."

Nabers continued, saying he wants a judicial system "where every day, every judge is before God seeking Him for the wisdom and courage to do justice and to be faithful to the judge’s oath of office" and where judges actively participate in religious and charitable organizations in their communities.

Nabers, 63, has a law degree from Yale and practiced law in Birmingham before joining Protective Life Insurance in 1979. The Birmingham native retired in 2001 as Chief Executive Officer of the company but continued to serve as Chairman of the Board until resigning to join the Riley Administration in January 2003.

The seat of Chief Justice has been vacant since November 13 and Governor Riley said he is making the appointment for Chief Justice now to add stability to the Supreme Court.

"I believe the office of Chief Justice is too vitally important to be left vacant for an extended period of time. Within a few months a new court will be impaneled and seated. The Acting Chief Justice will also be retiring," Governor Riley said. "Judge Moore’s appeal process could take up to a year or more and I do not believe that vacancy best serves the people of Alabama."

Governor Riley also said in his remarks that if former Chief Justice Roy Moore’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is upheld, "then it is obvious and right that he should be immediately reinstated."

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