Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas mingles after giving the keynote address at the dedication ceremony of the Nathan Deal Judicial Center on Tuesday. (Photo: John Disney/ALM)

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas called on judges Tuesday to resist the pull of popular prejudices in order to faithfully follow the rule of law.

"The judiciary is charged with keeping each branch of government—including itself—within its constitutional limits," Thomas said. "With that authority can come great temptation."

Being a jurist "requires a willingness to apply the law knowing it will not garner popular approval," he added, speaking to about 500 people—mostly judges and lawyers—in a dedication ceremony for the new $131 million Nathan Deal Judicial Center, the first exclusive home for Georgia's statewide courts.

Thomas gave the keynote address, following speeches by Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton and Georgia Court of Appeals Chief Judge Christopher McFadden—whose courts now occupy the building—as well as former Gov. Nathan Deal—for whom the building is named—and current Gov. Brian Kemp. They talked through the sound of pouring rain, battering wind and roaring traffic on two main streets and three major interstate highways, all within a stone's throw.

The size of the crowd overwhelmed the two courtrooms in the new building, so the ceremony was held outside on the plaza at the front entrance. Because of heavy rains and cold weather, the courts set up a long, white tent with side flaps and heaters.

Melton and McFadden thanked the guests for coming and the governors and legislators for investing in the project. Kemp gave Deal credit for the criminal justice reform movement that he said has "fundamentally changed the way we view nonviolent offenses" and made Georgia "a state where second chances matter."

The retired governor thanked the current one for signing the legislation naming the new building. Deal said he would be "forever grateful" and declared, "You are all my friends." He said of the building, "Hopefully, it will be a symbol that people of this state value justice."

Melton introduced Thomas, saying the justice from Georgia has become known for his "kindness, humor and humility" and is now the longest serving member of the country's highest court.

Thomas was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1991 by then-President George H. W. Bush. That televised confirmation hearing is still remembered for the explosive accusations of sexual harassment from former colleague and now Brandeis University professor Anita Hill. Thomas vigorously denied the charges and famously called the experience a "high tech lynching."

Thomas was born and raised in the community of Pin Point near Savannah. He is the Supreme Court's liaison to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit states of Georgia, Florida and Alabama. He said Tuesday that he had dinner the prior evening with the Georgia Supreme Court, enjoying the camaraderie and "good food."

Thomas praised the new building as a "magnificent architectural achievement." But he said it will become known for what happens inside.

"Important work will be done by my colleagues within these walls," Thomas said. "The work will be of paramount importance to the protection of the liberty of the people of this state."

Thomas said he was not talking about the "common definition" of liberty—"freedom to do whatever you want." He said he meant the kind of liberty that "can only be achieved by the rule of law." And he said it requires courage from the judiciary.

"It was not too long ago that in Georgia courthouses like this were segregated," Thomas said. "I fully believe that one reason segregation endured was due not only to prejudices and a lack of understanding but also to a lack of courage among those who knew or should have known better—especially in the judicial branch of government."

Thomas challenged judges to set aside their own "racial, religious, partisan or personal prejudice."

"As flawed human beings, none of us is immune to these temptations. We judges have to be disciplined and on guard to ensure that we do not overstep our boundaries," Thomas said. "Each time a judge sidesteps or manipulates the law to achieve his or her desired outcome, the rule of law suffers and is undermined and eventually compromised."

Thomas urged judges to find the "courage necessary to uphold the rule of law" and said it is "certainly not the path of least resistance and may not lead to contemporaneously popular decisions."

Thomas said judges "should not be driven by desire to be revered."

"We are not mass media icons," Thomas said. "We are judges. Nothing more. Nothing less."