Rooney Bill Naming Ft. Pierce Courthouse for Alto Adams Clears Senate
Washington, D.C. – Legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16) to name the federal courthouse under construction in Ft. Pierce in honor of former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Alto Lee Adams, Sr cleared the Senate on Saturday and will now head to the President for his signature.
“Chief Justice Adams set the standard for judicial excellence and community service, and he is remembered fondly throughout St. Lucie County and the state of Florida,” Rooney said. “The new federal courthouse in Ft. Pierce will be a great asset to the community, and it’s only fitting to dedicate the courthouse in honor of Alto Adams, Sr.”
The bill, H.R. 1791, will name the courthouse at 101 South U.S. 1 in Ft. Pierce the “Alto Lee Adams, Sr. United States Courthouse.” It passed the House by a voice vote in November before clearing the Senate by unanimous consent on Saturday.
Chief Justice Adams was the first graduate of the University of Florida College of Law to become a State Supreme Court Justice and Chief Justice. He practiced law in Fort Pierce from 1924-1938 until he was appointed as Circuit Court Judge for St. Lucie County. In 1940, Adams was appointed by Governor Fred P. Cone to the State Supreme Court, where he served from 1940-1951 and 1967-1968 and as Chief Justice from 1949-1951.
Chief Justice Adams served as President of the Florida State Elks Association in 1937 and as Vice Chairman of the State Welfare Board. In 1937, he started a cattle ranch named Adams Ranch in St. Lucie County, which is still run by the Adams family.
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