Today, a dedication ceremony was held to rename the Kent County courthouse in Chestertown, Maryland, after Judge George B. Rasin Jr. The event took place outside the courthouse at 103 Cross Street and included Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera and members of the Maryland Judiciary. This initiative was led by the Kent County Bar Association with backing from the Maryland Judiciary. Although the name change was officially made on December 17, 2019, by the Board of County Commissioners, the ceremony was postponed due to pandemic-related delays.
Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera expressed her satisfaction with the renaming: “It is wonderful to celebrate the renaming of the Kent County courthouse in honor of Judge George B. Rasin, Jr., with the bench, bar, County Commissioners, and people of Kent County.” She highlighted his significant contributions to juvenile law and justice in Maryland.
Judge George B. Rasin Jr., who served as a Circuit Court judge for Kent County from 1960 until his retirement in 1987, played a pivotal role in developing juvenile offender laws and chaired relevant commissions for many years. Even after retiring from active duty on the bench, he continued as a settlement judge for nearly two decades.
Kent County District Court Judge John E. Nunn III remarked on Judge Rasin’s legacy: “The Kent County Commissioners’ decision to name the courthouse in Chestertown in his honor is a fitting tribute for his distinguished service to the citizens of Kent County and the State of Maryland.” He praised Judge Rasin's legal expertise and integrity.
Several other judicial representatives attended the ceremony including Administrative Judge Harris P. Murphy and Senior Judge Paul M. Bowman from Circuit Court for Kent County; District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey; retired Chief Judge Martha F. Rasin; C. Daniels Saunders from Kent County Bar Association; and P. Thomas Mason, president of Kent County Commissioners.