[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 27, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
              SALUTING FEDERAL JUDGE VANESSA DIANE GILMORE

                                 ______


                            HON. JACK FIELDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 27, 1994

  Mr. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment this 
morning to recognize Vanessa Diane Gilmore, a Houstonian who recently 
was named to the Federal bench. At just 37 years of age, Ms. Gilmore is 
the Nation's youngest Federal judge, and is the only black woman 
serving on the Federal bench in Texas.
  Her young age, her keen intellect, her dedication to duty, and her 
innate sense of fairness guarantee that Ms. Gilmore--or I should say, 
Judge Gilmore--will make her mark on our Nation's legal system in the 
years ahead. I would not be at all surprised, in fact, if the future 
provides Judge Gilmore with new, expanded and more exciting 
opportunities to serve her country.
  I have been fortunate that since last year, Judge Gilmore has served 
as a member of my Service Academy Nominations Board. As a member of the 
Board, she has helped select the most outstanding young men and women 
from throughout my congressional district to nominate to the Nation's 
four service academies. I am enormously grateful that despite her new 
profession, Judge Gilmore has indicated a desire to continue to serve 
on the board for, at least, the coming year.
  For the past 11 years, Judge Gilmore practiced law at the firm of 
Vickery, Kilbride, Gilmore and Vickery, where she specialized in 
commercial litigation. Judge Gilmore is a 1977 graduate of Hampton 
University, Hampton, VA, and a 1981 graduate of the University of 
Houston Law School. While her legal skills are impressive, it is her 
willingness to take an active role in helping her fellow Houstonians 
and to pitch in to improve her community that distinguishes Judge 
Gilmore.
  Her record of civic, community, and professional service is long 
indeed. She serves on the St. Joseph's Hospital Advisory Board; the 
Texas Southern University Foundation Board; the Neighborhood Recovery 
Community Redevelopment Corporation Board; and the University of 
Houston Law School Alumni Board. A director of the Texas Lyceum 
Association, Judge Gilmore served as president of the Greater Houston 
YWCA from 1990 to 1992, and currently serves on the YWCA Advisory 
Board.
  In 1991, Gov. Ann Richards appointed Judge Gilmore to the Texas 
Department of Commerce Policy Board. When she later became chairman of 
the board, Judge Gilmore oversaw all of the agency's economic 
development activities and represented the Governor at economic 
development meetings.
  Judge Gilmore's professional memberships include the Houston Bar 
Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the W.J. Durham Legal 
Society and the State Bar of Texas. Judge Gilmore has long been active 
in the National Lawyers Council of the Democratic National Committee 
and has held a number of leadership positions in the local NAACP.
  Mr. Speaker, Vanessa Diane Gilmore has given generously of her time 
and talent to organizations throughout the greater Houston area, and 
throughout the State of Texas. I am grateful that one of the 
organizations in which she is interested is my Service Academy 
Nominations Board. I speak for all the members of the Board when I say 
that we look forward to Judge Gilmore's continued service on the Board, 
and her wise counsel in nominating gifted young men and women from 
throughout Texas' 8th Congressional District to attend the Nation's 
service academies. I also speak for the Board when I wish her the very 
best of luck in her new and challenging assignment.

                          ____________________