Transcript of Justice O'Connor's Remarks at Oct. 13 Embassy Reception
The following are the prepared remarks by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor that were read by W&M Law School Dean Davison M. Douglas at a reception in the justice's honor held on Oct. 13 at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. The reception was the prelude to the Law School's Eighth Annual Brigham Kanner Property Rights Conference. - Ed.
Ambassador Locke, Dean Wang, Vice Dean Shen, prize winners for Brigham-Kanner prizes, distinguished colleagues, and guests:
I'm Sandra O'Connor and I'm pleased to welcome you to the 8th annual Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference. It's being hosted by the College of William & Mary, William & Mary Law School, and Tsinghua University School of Law. I'm so sorry that I cannot be there to welcome you in person, but I'm very pleased to be able to speak to you by this means, and I'm honored that I will be recognized this year with a Brigham-Kanner Prize.
It has been my great pleasure to serve as Chancellor of the College of William and Mary for the last six years, and on behalf of both the College and of William & Mary Law School, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to Tsinghua University for hosting the Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference on its beautiful campus and for encouraging participation of so many of China's leading property rights scholars.
We give special thanks to Tsinghua University Vice Dean Shen and his assistant Xie Mingyang. They've played an integral role in the planning and coordination of this Conference. Their efforts and commitment have helped ensure its success.
Ambassador Locke, thank you for opening the Embassy to the Conference participants and for hosting the event tonight. Much appreciation is also due to the Embassy staff, they've worked many hours to make this event possible.
Past Brigham-Kanner Prize winners, Professors Michelman, Epstein, Ely, Radin, Ellickson, Pipes, and Rose, I'm so happy to join your ranks.
And, finally, to the rest of the people in attendance and your guests: thanks for journeying across the world to be here for the Conference.
Please enjoy the reception in the evening, and the next two days of the Conference, and the rest of your time in China. I just wish I could be there with you. Thanks so much!