Hon. Jay C. Waldman, 1944 - 2003

[Garth Herrick]

Well the splendor of the unveiling was beyond my wildest imagination:

180 mostly judges, law clerks and interns were peppered with other renowned dignitaries, when the velvet veil was removed to the gasping audience. Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senator Arlen Specter, and former Governor Dick Thornburgh gave me more praise overload than I could realistically handle. I did my best to return an affirmative thank you to each. I had no idea they were on the guest list. Senator Specter even chatted on about the "Single Bullet Theory", just 2 feet from my face at the reception which followed the ceremony. For me this event was surreal!

There were a few tears shed too. It is amazing how a portrait by someone who never met the subject in life can have such a powerful effect on those who knew Judge Waldman. It felt strange to me, because of all those present I was the only one who never knew the Judge in life, and yet everyone spoke of being moved by the way he was brought back to life in the painting. Wow, to the right audience, sometimes a portrait is invested with more power than the artist ever intends or imagines.

I should probably just shut-up with all my rambling, about the evening, but suffice to say, I was a bit overwhelmed by the level of the emotional feedback.

Garth