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Past, present and future all celebrated at 50-year anniversary of 1 Federal Plaza

By Ben Zabava

Large wood-paneled and -appointed courtroom with Equal Justice Under Law and large eagle sculpture on back wall, with a panel of people in black robes below it, with court workers, a speaker, and white-haired men in the audience
GSA Northeast and Caribbean Regional Administrator John A. Sarcone (at podium) delivers remarks during special session of the U.S. Court of International Trade to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the James L. Watson Courthouse, Nov. 1 at 1 Federal Plaza in downtown Manhattan. USCIT has called the Courthouse home since 1968. Photo by Ben Zabava.

Inspirational history, fond remembrance, and hopes for the future all came together on Thursday, Nov. 1, as GSA was on hand to help our partners at the United States Court of International Trade (USCIT) celebrate the 50th anniversary of the James L. Watson Courthouse at 1 Federal Plaza in downtown Manhattan. The Court has called this eight-story, black glass curtain-walled, GSA-managed federal building home since 1968.

The commemoration began with a special session of the Court in the building’s impressive Ceremonial Courtroom on the second floor, with the Chief Judge of USCIT, the Honorable Timothy C. Stanceu, presiding. GSA Northeast and Caribbean Regional Administrator John A. Sarcone, III delivered remarks on behalf of GSA, detailing GSA’s role in delivering value and savings in real estate, acquisition, technology, and other services to allow agencies to focus on their core missions, and the particular pride GSA takes in supporting a client like USCIT.

“As a Government entity, the U.S. Court of International Trade may be one of the smallest in terms of its number of staff, but, in terms of its importance to the United States and to the rest of the world, it is immense,” Sarcone said. “The Court exercises nationwide jurisdiction over civil actions arising out of the customs and international trade laws of the United States, and its one permanent facility is here at 1 Federal Plaza in New York. GSA Region 2 is extremely proud that we are the ones entrusted to manage such a significant facility, and the home of such a consequential client.”

Sarcone also spoke of the special collaboration between USCIT and GSA in planning and financing crucial maintenance and construction projects at the James L. Watson Courthouse, such as the upgrade and hardening of the building’s glass façade for increased blast resistance, scheduled to begin in spring 2019.

“This project, once completed, will help to keep 1 Federal Plaza as safe over the next 50 years as it has been during its first 50,” Sarcone said. “It is emblematic of the kind of partner relationship which we at GSA are so honored to be part of with the Court, and which we will do all we can to maintain and further build upon during these next 50 years.”

Steel and glass multi-level building with autumn tree to the left and another building behind it
The U.S. Court of International Trade, James L. Watson Courthouse, 1 Federal Plaza in downtown Manhattan, Nov. 1, 2018. USCIT has called the Courthouse home since 1968. Photo by Ben Zabava.

The celebration then moved to Courtroom 1 on the fourth floor for a reenactment of one of the Court’s more unusual cases from 50 years ago, involving collectible figurine sets of the Presidents of the United States made by the old Louis Marx and Company, at one time the largest toy manufacturer in the world. U.S. attorneys argued that the figurines were toys rather than educational tools, accordingly subject to all toy tariffs and duties. However, as was the case then, Louis Marx and Company prevailed.

The celebration concluded with a reception in the building’s Law Library on the eighth floor, as well as additional tours of the permanently displayed portraits and biographies of all the Judges who have served on the Court throughout its history.

Throughout the day’s program, the Court’s judges expressed not merely satisfaction, but a deep and abiding pride in their home.

“This beautiful and important building has attracted an amazing number of American public servants and citizens of all ranks over its 50 years,” said USCIT Senior Judge and resident historian, the Honorable Thomas J. Aquilino, Jr. “You will find photographs of many of them when you arrive at our glorious eighth floor library, with an incredible vista over Manhattan’s Civic Center in this wonderful home of ours.”

GSA Northeast and Caribbean Regional Administrator John A. Sarcone offered a final agency perspective.

“Supporting USCIT is something GSA takes very seriously,” Sarcone said. “They have been wonderful tenants; they should never hesitate to continue letting us know how we can be good landlords.”

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Last updated: Jan 31, 2024
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