[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 38 (Tuesday, April 12, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: April 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
EDWARD J. SCHWARTZ COURTHOUSE AND FEDERAL BUILDING
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 3770) to designate the U.S. courthouse located at 940 Front
Street in San Diego, CA, and the Federal building attached to the
courthouse as the ``Edward J. Schwartz Courthouse and Federal
Building.''
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 3770
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.
The United States courthouse located at 940 Front Street in
San Diego, California, and the Federal building attached to
the courthouse shall be known and designated as the ``Edward
J. Schwartz Courthouse and Federal Building''.
SEC. 2. REFERENCES.
Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper,
or other record of the United States to the courthouse and
Federal building referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to
be a reference to the ``Edward J. Schwartz Courthouse and
Federal Building''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio [Mr. Traficant] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the
gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Duncan] will be recognized for 20
minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant].
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, This legislation will honor Judge Edward J. Schwartz for
his long and distinguished judicial career. He began his legal career
as a jurist in 1959 with an appointment to the municipal bench by
Governor Pat Brown. Judge Schwartz was appointed to the Federal bench
in 1968 by President Johnson, becoming the first judge in the newly
created District of Southern California. He was the district's chief
judge for 13 years and now even at age 81, Judge Schwartz still tries
cases.
Judge Schwartz is beloved by the San Diego legal community, having
served for decades with dignity and distinction. I urge adoption of
H.R. 3770 and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the naming of the U.S.
courthouse in San Diego, CA, in honor of Federal District Judge Edward
J. Schwartz.
Judge Schwartz was appointed Federal district judge in 1968 and
served with great distinction as chief judge for the southern district
of California from 1969 to 1982.
Judge Schwartz received his law degree from San Francisco Law School.
Judge Schwartz has received numerous awards in recognition of his
distinguished legal career.
At age 81, Judge Schwartz still carries a full case load, in one of
the busiest judicial districts in the United States.
It is fitting that this courthouse be named after Judge Schwartz
since many regard him as the primary force behind the building of this
facility.
I am proud to join the sponsor of this legislation, Congresswoman
Schenk urging the passage of H.R. 3770.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Schenk] who is the sponsor of this
naming bill.
Ms. SCHENK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding this
time.
Mr. Speaker, I also want to take a moment to thank Chairman Traficant
and Chairman Mineta for their efforts to move this bill expeditiously.
Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to rise in support of H.R.
3770, which will name the San Diego Federal Courthouse, the ``Edward J.
Schwartz Courthouse and Federal Building.''
Judge Schwartz is truly a legend in the San Diego legal community. He
began his long and distinguished career as a jurist in 1959 when one of
California's greatest Governors, Pat Brown, appointed him to the
municipal court bench.
In 1968, when the U.S. Senate confirmed President Johnson's
nomination of Judge Schwartz to the Federal bench, he became the first
judge appointed to the district court for the southern district of
California.
From 1969 until 1982, Judge Schwartz served as chief judge for the
southern district. At the time he was appointed chief judge, the
district court occupied a very old and dilapidated post office building
where I was sworn in as a new lawyer many years ago. Judge Schwartz led
the campaign to build an appropriate Federal courthouse and Federal
building in San Diego.
But his involvement with the new courthouse did not end securing
Federal funding. Judge Schwartz was so committed to this project that
he actually supervised the planning and construction of the building.
Many in the San Diego legal community believe that the current
courthouse is a testament to the initiative, dedication, and tenacity
of Judge Schwartz.
For 13 years, Judge Schwartz guided the district court with dignity,
grace, loyalty to the court and loyalty to the judicial branch of
government. Under his leadership, the southern district grew from a
small satellite of Los Angeles to one of the busiest judicial districts
in the country.
Judge Schwartz has devoted his life to the court, to San Diego, and
to his country. Remarkably, at age 81 he still continues to try cases.
He is a fair, thoughtful and respected jurist and I believe that naming
the courthouse after him would be a very fitting way to honor his many
years of distinguished public service. My efforts to name the
courthouse after Judge Schwartz are supported by the San Diego Federal
Bench, by the San Diego Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and
indeed by the entire legal community.
Once again, I thank the gentleman for helping bring this bill to the
floor.
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my
good friend, the gentleman from California [Mr. Cunningham].
(Mr. CUNNINGHAM asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support
of H.R. 3770. This legislation designates the U.S. courthouse and
Federal building in San Diego as the ``Edward J. Schwartz Courthouse
and Federal Building.'' This designation honors a pillar of the San
Diego community and recognizes the important contributions that Judge
Schwartz has made to the legal community in the State of California.
Judge Schwartz began his distinguished career on the bench in 1959,
when the Governor of California, Pat Brown, first appointed him to the
municipal court bench. Judge Schwartz is revered by members in legal
community for his commanding knowledge of the law. In 1968, he was
nominated by President Johnson to the Federal bench. Following his
confirmation by the U.S. Senate, he has continued to serve the
California legal community.
In fact, Judge Schwartz, who recently celebrated his 81st birthday,
still tries cases today. He has selflessly served both the citizens of
California and the Federal Government for over 35 years.
H.R. 3770 is a most appropriate way to recognize the contributions of
an outstanding jurist.
Mr. Speaker, again I rise in support of this legislation, and I
strongly urge my distinguished colleagues to join me in recognizing the
significant contributions of Judge Edward J. Schwartz to San Diego, CA,
and the legal profession.
Mr. MINETA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3770 to designate
the U.S. courthouse at 940 Front Street in San Diego, CA and the
Federal building attached to the courthouse as the ``Edward J. Schwartz
Courthouse and Federal Building.''
Edward Schwartz was raised in San Diego, graduated from University of
California at Berkeley and San Francisco Law School. He served as a
lieutenant commander in the Second World War and graduated from the
Naval War College in 1943.
In 1968 President Lyndon Johnson appointed him to the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of California. Judge Schwartz served as
chief judge on the court from 1969 to 1982. At that time, he assumed
senior status and, at the age of 81, continues to hear cases.
Because of Edward Schwartz's distinguished career as a Federal judge,
I urge adoption of H.R. 3770 to designate the U.S. courthouse and
attached Federal building in San Diego as the ``Edward J. Schwartz
Courthouse and Federal Building.''
{time} 1310
Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of H.R. 3770, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mazzoli). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Traficant] that the House
suspend the rules and press the bill, H.R. 3770.
The question was taken.
Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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