SEPT. 19, 5:15 P.M. — To Chief Justice John Roberts, the First Amendment would have little meaning without an independent judiciary to give it life.

‘Without an independent judiciary to give substance to the constitution as law, the words are nothing but empty promises,’ he said to a crowd of more than 1,000 Wednesday afternoon.

Faculty, staff, alumni, donors and students filled Hendricks Chapel to the brim to hear Roberts speak in honor of the third building of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications complex. Newhouse Dean David Rubin and Samuel I. Newhouse Jr. introduced Roberts.

The focus of the Newhouse III celebration has been looking to the future. But the focus of Roberts’ speech was on the past. He spent most of his address discussing the Constitution and the founder’s intentions with the First Amendment.

‘The framers of the First Amendment knew the important of the free press based on the painful experience of living without one,’ he said.

Near the middle of his speech, he emphasized his belief that a judiciary is needed to uphold the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights by reciting words from the Soviet Union’s constitution.

‘So by all means celebrate the words of the First Amendment,’ he said. ‘But remember also the words of the Soviet constitution. It is not just the words. It is the constitutional system of separated powers.’

Roberts also spoke about the First Amendment’s role in protecting unpopular speech.

‘We don’t need the first Amendment to protect speech that is trendy, conventional popular or politically correct,’ he said. ‘The framers knew that we needed to protect unpopular ideas, which is particularly keen in the area of political debate.’

The Supreme Court’s insulation from public opinion through life tenure and secured pay has allowed them to be free to make unpopular decisions, he said.

‘The courts have responded, often in the face of contrary public opinion,’ he said. ‘The courts have given the First Amendment’s inspirational words its vitality. And many of the decisions doing so protect unpopular speech.’

In the beginning of his speech, Roberts commented on the building’s construction and design as well as why a new building was necessary.

‘The schools facilities are expanding because the field of public communications itself has expanded dramatically since the first building opened in 1964,’ he said.

In his introduction, Dean Rubin also spoke of the changes Newhouse III will bring to campus.

‘Each year at SU is quite different from previous years. Each new class of first year students and grad students changes the culture in subtle ways and brings its own challenges and rewards. Each faculty and staff member adds something to the mix…,’ he said. ‘A new building changes the culture too. We know what we hope Newhouse III will accomplish for campus, but until it has been open and operational for a couple of years, we won’t really know if it has accomplished its goals.’

Roberts commented on the building’s key feature-the 45 words of the First Amendment’s inscribed on the building’s exterior. ‘The designers of Newhouse III recognized the constitutional foundation of America’s free press,’ he said.

Roberts most forceful remarks were made outside of Hendricks.

During the dedication ceremony in front of Newhouse III, Roberts focused his attention to the many students now in the audience.

‘The greatest threat to the rights you see spelled out in front of us is irresponsible use of them,’ he said. ‘My message to you is very simple: don’t blow it.’

Published on September 18, 2007 at 12:00 pm