Senate Finally Approves Name for Federal Courthouse in Fort Pierce

Three years after U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Charlotte, first submitted the name of the Treasure Coasts most prominent jurists for the new $56.3 million federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, the Senate has finally agreed.

And now the building just needs President Obamas signature to take on the moniker of Alto Lee Adams Sr., the founder of the vast Adams Ranch and who was twice appointed to the states highest court.

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 stated in a release on Monday. The new federal courthouse in Fort Pierce will be a great asset to the community, and its only fitting to dedicate the courthouse in honor of Alto Adam Sr.

The House agreed in September 2009 to Rooneys proposal for the 123,400-square-foot courthouse -- located in the congressional district currently represented by Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar. At the time the House approved the name, the building was still going up.

"It's fitting we name the courthouse after Justice Adams Sr., who was an exemplary public servant and gave so much to his state and community," Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Orlando, who backed the Senate bill, stated in a release over the weekend.

Adams, a 1921 graduate of the University of Florida Law School, was first appointed to the state Supreme Court in 1940 by Gov. Fred Cone.

He served until 1951, serving as chief justice from 1949 to 1951, when he stepped down for what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid for governor in 1952.

Adams returned to the Florida Supreme Court in 1967, when he was appointed by Gov. Claude Kirk. He served three years before again retiring.He died in 1988.