The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“NAMING OF JAMES R. BROWNING FEDERAL COURTHOUSE” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S11851-S11852 on Nov. 24, 2004.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NAMING OF JAMES R. BROWNING FEDERAL COURTHOUSE
Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I would like to speak briefly about legislation to rename the U.S. Courthouse in San Francisco after Judge James R. Browning. This legislation cleared Congress over the weekend. It is a long overdue honor for one of the Nation's finest public servants.
I would like to thank my Senate friends and colleagues for their hard work and support, particularly Senator Boxer, who sponsored the Browning courthouse naming legislation. I would also like to recognize and thank Senator Hatch and Senator Stevens. Their efforts were crucial in moving this legislation across the finish line in the 109th Congress.
Let me tell you about Judge James R. Browning. First, he is a great man and a fine judge who has committed the better part of his life to promoting and improving the administration of justice. Montana is proud to call him one of their own, and I am proud to call him my friend.
Judge Browning was born in Great Falls, MT, just like another famous Montana son--former Senate Majority Leader and Ambassador to Japan, Mike Mansfield. Judge Browning grew up in the small town of Belt, MT, and married his high-school sweetheart Marie Rose from Belfry, MT. Judge Browning received his law degree from the University of Montana in 1941, graduating at the top of his class. He worked for the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice before joining the U.S. Army where he served in Military Intelligence for 3 years, attaining the rank of first lieutenant and winning the Bronze Star.
After the war, he returned to the Justice Department, eventually rising through the ranks to become Executive Assistant to the Attorney General. In 1953, he entered private practice, leaving after 5 years to serve as the Clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court at the request of Chief Justice Earl Warren. In that position, he held the Bible during President John F. Kennedy's inauguration.
In 1961, President Kennedy named James Browning to be a Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Judge Browning has served on that court with distinction and honor for more than 40 years, longer than any other judge in Ninth Circuit history. He was still working 6 days a week as an active federal judge when he turned 80 in 1998, and he did not take senior status until November of 2000. He has participated in nearly 1000 published appellate decisions.
Judge Browning was named chief judge of the Ninth Circuit in 1976. During his 12-year tenure as the chief judge, the Ninth Circuit expanded from 23 to 28 judges, eliminated its case backlog entirely, and reduced by half the time needed to decide appeals. He worked tirelessly to improve the administration of the courts, dramatically increasing the efficiency and productivity of the Ninth Circuit, all the while emphasizing collegiality and civility among his colleagues on the Ninth Circuit. Judge Browning's leadership and innovation sparked similar administrative reforms throughout the country.
Judge Browning is held in the highest regard by both bench and bar across California, in Montana, and within the Ninth Circuit legal community. His rich and distinguished career spans more than six decades--most of it spent in public service. We have finally recognized his long service to his country and the Ninth Circuit by renaming the U.S. Courthouse in San Francisco in his honor. It is a long way from Belt, MT, but Judge Browning never forgot his roots, and now neither will the Ninth Circuit that he helped to build.
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