MONROE - Saturday was a day to dedicate and celebrate the new Green County Justice Center.
About 300 people, including federal, state, county and city officials attended the dedication.
"It's standing room only and we're not even serving food or beer," Green County Board Chairman Art Carter joked.
Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Middleton, said he remembered visiting the Courthouse with his father, who was an attorney in Janesville.
He said he was happy to see the new building.
"It shows there is a continuing commitment to justice," he said. "I know this building will serve the county well."
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David T. Prosser Jr., said a courthouse can contain the court system and county offices and contains a unique atmosphere of justice.
But the new Justice Center, he added, can provide that same dedication to justice and law.
He said the men and women who made the Justice Center a reality should be commended.
"You constructed a beautiful building and a functional building," he said.
Saturday's event included tours of the building. People were able to walk through court offices, courtrooms and talk to department heads.
One of the more popular attractions was the tunnel, which connects the Justice Center to the Green County Jail. People lined up and waited several minutes for the chance to walk through the tunnel and listen to Sheriff Randy Roderick talk about the cameras that monitor the tunnel and the emergency buttons that make the area safe for deputies who escort prisoners to court.
The Justice Center houses the county's court system offices, which include the district attorney, clerk of court, circuit court office, court commissioner, child support and corporation counsel.
Wisconsin Department of Corrections-Probation and Parole and the State Public Defender's office moved in the first week of September. The University of Wisconsin-Extension office moved in the following week.
There also is a multi-purpose room on the ground floor for public meetings.
About 300 people, including federal, state, county and city officials attended the dedication.
"It's standing room only and we're not even serving food or beer," Green County Board Chairman Art Carter joked.
Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Middleton, said he remembered visiting the Courthouse with his father, who was an attorney in Janesville.
He said he was happy to see the new building.
"It shows there is a continuing commitment to justice," he said. "I know this building will serve the county well."
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David T. Prosser Jr., said a courthouse can contain the court system and county offices and contains a unique atmosphere of justice.
But the new Justice Center, he added, can provide that same dedication to justice and law.
He said the men and women who made the Justice Center a reality should be commended.
"You constructed a beautiful building and a functional building," he said.
Saturday's event included tours of the building. People were able to walk through court offices, courtrooms and talk to department heads.
One of the more popular attractions was the tunnel, which connects the Justice Center to the Green County Jail. People lined up and waited several minutes for the chance to walk through the tunnel and listen to Sheriff Randy Roderick talk about the cameras that monitor the tunnel and the emergency buttons that make the area safe for deputies who escort prisoners to court.
The Justice Center houses the county's court system offices, which include the district attorney, clerk of court, circuit court office, court commissioner, child support and corporation counsel.
Wisconsin Department of Corrections-Probation and Parole and the State Public Defender's office moved in the first week of September. The University of Wisconsin-Extension office moved in the following week.
There also is a multi-purpose room on the ground floor for public meetings.