Graham strives to create an informed citizenry.

Essential to the stability of America's republican form of government is an independent judiciary and an informed and participating citizenry.

"I believe that when one branch of the government becomes too dominant in the selection of the judiciary, the independence of the judiciary is at risk," former Florida Sen. Bob Graham told hundreds of lawyers and judges who gathered for the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society's annual dinner in Tallahassee January 31.

In a wide-ranging address that touched on the Bar's role in defending the courts, threats from abroad, and the creation of a new initiative to help strengthen civic education in the state, Graham recalled the words of Founding Father John Adams who noted that to enable the impartial administration of justice, it is essential that judicial power be separate from the legislative and executive branches.

Graham--Florida's governor from 1979 to 1987 before serving three terms in the U.S. Senate--said an independent judiciary is a "living concept." He was told by former Gov. LeRoy Collins that the most important thing he would do as governor is appoint judges.

"They will outlive you; they will set a standard of ethics and morality in the communities in which they serve," Collins said.

Graham, a Democrat, said he strived to be faithful to Collins' direction in making more than 270 judicial appointments and recommendations during his years of public service, noting he never inquired about an applicant's ideology or party affiliation.

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"It was my feeling that if a person at the age of 35 could tell you with precision how they were going to feel, and as a judge rule, when they were 55, that person was brain dead and therefore ineligible to be appointed to a judicial position," Graham said.

"I am concerned that we are facing a situation at both the federal and state judiciaries of where the number of judges capable of rendering appropriate justice, and the compensation and conditions of service for judges, are going to make it increasingly difficult to attract and retain the quality of people that are necessary to support an independent judiciary," he said, noting it is the responsibility of the Bar to come to the aid and advocacy of the judicial branch which is largely unable to advocate for itself.

"I personally would hope that we might consider moving toward some form of merit selection and retention for all Florida judges," Graham said.

Another pillar of an...