Little Pink House_ A True Story of Defiance and Courage - Jeff Benedict [2]
Attorney Scott Sawyer, legal strategist for the local opposition
OTHER KEY PLAYERS
Reid MacCluggage, publisher of the Day newspaper
The Honorable Thomas J. Corradino, trial judge in Kelo v. City of New London
Jim Serbia, real-estate manager of Pfizer’s research division
SUPPORTING CAST
STATE OF CONNECTICUT OFFICIALS
M. Jodi Rell, governor of Connecticut
Ron Angelo, special negotiator for the governor
Robert Albright, mediator for the governor’s office
OTHER SUPPORT ROLES
Wesley W. Horton, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of the City of New London
Aldo Valentini, head of the Italian Dramatic Club
Judge Angelo Santaniello, negotiator for the Italian Dramatic Club
John Markowicz, member of the U.S. Navy base reuse committee
ON CAPITOL HILL
September 20, 2005
U.S. Senate Chambers
Washington, D.C.
Clutching her notes and wearing heels, a gray skirt, and a white blouse, Susette Kelo approached the witness table, hoping the senators noticed her salmon-pink sweater. It matched the color of her house and had sneaker prints across the front, signifying “They walked all over me.”
“Are you nervous?” her attorney, Scott Bullock, asked.
“Not too bad.”
“You’ll be fine,” he said, patting her on the shoulder.
Facing a panel of senators, she sat down, grabbed a pitcher of water, and poured herself a drink. Bullock took a seat in the first row behind her.
Senator Arlen Specter pounded the gavel.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. The Senate Judiciary Committee will now proceed with a hearing on the issue of the right to take private property under what is called the doctrine of eminent domain for public use. Our hearing is prompted by the recent decision just a few months ago, in June, by the Supreme Court of the United States in a case captioned Kelo v. City of New London, where private property was taken for the use of a private company, Pfizer.”
Specter indicated that he and Senator Patrick Leahy had just been across the street in a conference with Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. They had been discussing the harsh criticism generated against the Court by the Kelo decision. As the author of the majority opinion, Justice Stevens didn’t particularly appreciate all the fire the decision had been under. But Specter insisted the matter required congressional review.
“The Fifth Amendment,” Specter continued, “prohibits the government from taking private property unless it does so for a public use and with just compensation … But the Kelo case goes a significant step further and takes it for economic development, where there are jobs, increased taxes, and other revenues. The issue, which the Congress has authority to act on—this is not a constitutional issue where the Supreme Court is the last word—is to determine as a matter of public policy whether this is a wise, appropriate taking of private property.”
Specter yielded to Senator Leahy, who declared his respect for private-property rights. Leahy looked Susette in the eye and continued, “Ms. Kelo, I am probably one of millions of Americans who were distressed when we learned your story. We are concerned about what happened to you … It has been said that tough cases make bad laws. It can also be said that bad law can lead to bad remedies, and so we are going to have to figure out the best way to do this.”
When the senators’ preliminary remarks concluded, Specter introduced Susette as the first witness. “Despite her loss before the Supreme Court,” Specter said, “she continues to inspire and advocate for a return to sensible eminent-domain policy. Thank you for what you are doing, Ms. Kelo, and we look forward to your testimony.”
She took a deep breath.
“I want to thank Chairman Specter and the rest of the Senate Judiciary Committee for the opportunity to testify,” she began. “My name is Susette Kelo, and I live in New London, Connecticut. I am the Kelo in Kelo v. City of New London, the now infamous U.S. Supreme Court case.”
She cleared her throat and went on, “The battle against eminent-domain abuse may have started as