Chief Justice Roberts congratulates Butler in Indy visit

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Chief Justice John Roberts received a warm welcome Wednesday evening from a host of well known Hoosiers.

Indiana University President Michael McRobbie, Attorney General Gregg Zoeller, former Senator Dan Coats, Mayor Ballard and Jim White, for whom the lecture series is named, who is also a lawyer and trustee for Butler University.

Chief Justice Roberts couldn't resist a Butler reference.

"It is a special time to be here in Indianapolis to be able to congratulate Butler University and its basketball team for their extraordinary play in the NCAA championship."

Roberts, who grew up in northwestern Indiana, is a student of history and touched on the changes in the court, even the courts location in Washington D.C.

He referenced Abraham Lincoln's Hoosier roots, and the one time Lincoln argued a case before the high court.

"We have his hand written notes from that argument that I was able to hold in my hand. While the nervous curator looked on, the one thing you notice, first of all, remarkable penmanship," said Justice Roberts.

Roberts told the group that socializing in Washington D.C. can be delicate. He makes sure conversation veers away from political issues even with presidents.

"President Bush used to own a baseball team, we talk about sports. President Obama has young children, as I do, we talk about kids," he said.

Roberts spent the day on the campus. One law student told 24-Hour News 8 that Justice Roberts just popped into class and made some impromptu remarks that were well received.