Tuscaloosa, AL – The Tuscaloosa Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse have been dedicated, with the help of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Sen. Richard Shelby.
Thomas said in his remarks on Monday that the foresight of the writers of the Constitution set in motion the elements and rules of law that were symbolized by the $47 million structure.
Thomas said what happens at the courthouse in the years to come will define its history.
Shelby, who is from Tuscaloosa, told about 500 officials and onlookers that he hopes the building will be a center of justice for all.
Shelby began working about 10 years ago to steer federal dollars to Tuscaloosa to fund the courthouse and other aspects of the city's approximately $87 million downtown revitalization project.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)