The Action Returns To Baylor Law's Kronzer Courtroom

July 8, 2003
News Photo 1441

A capacity audience filled the Kronzer Appellate Advocacy Courtroom at Baylor Law School on April 3, 2002, when the Texas Supreme Court convened in the Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center at Baylor.

by Alan Hunt

Baylor Law School's impressive Kronzer Appellate Advocacy Courtroom will be a hub of activity this week as the venue for a Texas congressional redistricting hearing. The hearings are being conducted around the state to receive public comment and testimony on redistricting Texas' 32 seats in Congress.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend the debate, which is scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, before members of the Senate Jurisprudence Committee. Sen. Robert L. Duncan, R-Lubbock, committee chair, will preside. The hearing will focus on the effect of redistricting upon the current 11th Congressional District of Texas, which is composed of all or part of 10 counties in Central Texas, (including Waco and McLennan County) and is home to more than 651,000 people.
Similar redistricting hearings held around the state have attracted audiences of between 200 and 600 people. The media also is expected to turn up in force.
This is not the first time the Kronzer Courtroom has been the focus of the state's attention. On April 3, 2002, a capacity audience packed the facility when the Texas Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases. It was the court's second visit to Baylor Law School since a 1998 constitutional amendment allowed the justices to convene for the time ever outside of Austin.
The Kronzer Courtroom also was in the national spotlight Aug. 13, 2002, when President George W. Bush held his economic forum at Baylor. The President, Vice President Dick Cheney, Cabinet members and business leaders and CEOs met to discuss economic issues.


SHUTTLE BUS INFORMATION

With limited parking and an overflow crowd expected at Wednesday's redistricting hearings at Baylor University's Sheila and Walter Umphrey Law Center, officials are encouraging citizens to use a free shuttle service from the Ferrell Center to the law school.
The shuttles, provided by Waco Transit, will run from noon to 6 p.m. from section D-1 in the Ferrell Center parking lot to the law center.


MEDIA AVAILABILITY FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS

Texas elected officials, who wish to speak with the media before today's redistricting hearing in Waco, will be available from noon to 1 p.m. in room 120 of Baylor Law School.


OVERFLOW ROOM

An overflow room with a video feed of the proceedings will be available in room 122 in the law school.