[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 136 (Monday, September 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 RETIREMENT OF HON. HAL J. BONNEY, JR.

                                 ______


                          HON. OWEN B. PICKETT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 26, 1994

  Mr. PICKETT. Mr. Speaker, I wish to pay tribute to the Honorable Hal. 
J. Bonney, Jr., who has dedicated 25 years of distinguished service as 
a Federal Judge to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern 
District of Virginia. Judge Bonney's retirement will be effective 
February 28, 1995.
  Judge Bonney is to be commended for the exemplary wisdom and 
dispassionate judgment that he has exercised from his honorable 
position as a Federal Judge to this Nation.

  Statement of Hon. Hal J. Bonney, Jr. Upon Announcing His Retirement

       With deep inner feelings of awe and appreciation for the 
     privilege of serving as a Federal Judge, but with equal 
     enthusiasm and anticipation for the future, I announce my 
     retirement as a Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court 
     for the Eastern District of Virginia.
       I became eligible for retirement last month and will 
     exercise this effective at midnight on February 28, 1995, in 
     the 25th year of my service which dates from January 1, 1971.
       One does not write the history or evaluation of one's own 
     work or life--that must speak for itself and is usually 
     buried in the minutes, hours, days and years of that labor--
     yet in leaving there are thoughts of the past and of the 
     future which this occasion provides an opportunity to 
     express.
       (1) As the sole U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in the Norfolk and 
     Newport News Divisions during most of the twenty-five years, 
     I have witnessed and presided over cases which grew from 1200 
     a year to 11,000 and in this have participated in an 
     extraordinary quarter-century of Tidewater economic history, 
     most of this for the better as thousands found a fresh start 
     in life and many businesses were successfully reorganized. 
     This is to say, I have been here during the most significant 
     era of the Bankruptcy Court's history.
       Even now the Eastern District of Virginia ranks 9th among 
     the nation's Federal District in number of cases filed and 
     when alone I carried the 4th heaviest caseload among the 
     Bankruptcy Judges of the nation. The Chairman of the House 
     Judiciary Committee, Congressman Jack Brooks, recently 
     observed that more Americans come in contact with the 
     bankruptcy court system than any other branch of the 
     judiciary.
       Chief Judge Sherman G. Finesilver of the Colorado U.S. 
     District Court in addressing all of the Bankruptcy Judges of 
     the nation in Denver in 1993 said, ``The economy of the 
     nation would collapse were it not for the Bankruptcy 
     Judges.'' This is, I suppose, flattering, but it does reflect 
     the seriousness of the judicial load we all carry.
       (2) As President of the National Conference of Bankruptcy 
     Judges in 1983-84, from the White House to walking the halls 
     of Congress I became aware as I have never before of the 
     national scale on which all of this operates. It was a time 
     of struggle for the very survival of the U.S. Bankruptcy 
     Court, but a court handling (in 1983) $92 billion in assets 
     on any given day could not be ignored.
       (3) All who leave a post are tempted to comment on the 
     future. The Court will obviously continue and flourish in 
     capable hands. I would observe the presence (nationally) of 
     certain trends which need to be addressed by those who remain 
     after me, both legislators and judges. The Bankruptcy Code 
     serves useful and beneficial purposes which require no 
     defense; however, (1) the system has witnessed more and more 
     dishonest people utilizing bankruptcy over the past ten years 
     and the system must be more alert to this. (2) Unfortunately, 
     for some bankruptcy has become another form of welfare. The 
     fact bankruptcy is a privilege the Congress grants and not a 
     Constitutional right has become obscured. This leads to 
     ``tinkering'' with it and expecting from bankruptcy what was 
     never intended.
       Above all, above all, in announcing my retirement I am 
     sensitive to and appreciate of all of those with whom I have 
     been associated these twenty-five years.
       (1) It is personally difficult to end the official 
     association with my colleagues on the bankruptcy bench. I 
     shall miss them immensely.
       Too, I am grateful for the support this Court has always 
     received from the Judges of the U.S. District Court. I have 
     even forgiven them when they have reversed me. They have 
     meant so very much to me.
       (2) I have always prized my relationships with the Judges 
     of the State Courts and appreciate working with them in areas 
     of common need and interest.
       (3) I have forever held the highest esteem for those who 
     have worked with me in the Court, both in the past and 
     currently: my Secretaries, my Law Clerks, and Clerical staff, 
     U.S. Marshals, the Security Force, court reporters, all. We 
     don't wear this on our sleeve, but I believe they well know 
     how I feel about them.
       (4) The system has worked well because of, more than any 
     other reason, the high caliber and courteous cooperation of 
     the members of the Bar. I have had nothing but the highest 
     respect for the attorneys who have appeared before me and I 
     leave with this strong tie forever alive within me.
       (5) Mention should be made of the credit industry in this 
     area. It is of the highest integrity and has contributed so 
     much to the soundness of the system.
       (6) It is, of course, a national bankruptcy court. I 
     appreciate on behalf of the Court and of myself the faithful 
     support of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts and 
     this relationship has been at its finest under its present 
     leadership: L. Ralph Mechum, Director, and Francis F. 
     Szezebak, Chief of the Bankruptcy Division.
       I must emphasize that while retiring as a Judge, I am not 
     retiring from life and in particular am not retiring as 
     Teacher of my Sunday School class, The Wesleymen of Epworth 
     United Methodist Church.
       And what shall I be doing after February 28th? Indeed, I 
     look forward to as active a life as I now enjoy and to 
     working full-time. I am fortunate, indeed blessed, that I 
     have many choices for the future. I am considering:
       1. Being recalled (to senior status) to serve in some area 
     of the country which needs some extra help.
       2. Returning to the practice of law. I have a son now in 
     law school.
       3. Teaching. I came from this profession into law.
       4. Going to Hollywood to produce a film.
       5. Entering the Peace Corps or similar organization where I 
     could go out into the field of service. I have often felt the 
     urge to ``hit the road to Mandalay.''
       Until this time, it would have been difficult to make a 
     decision since I felt the possibility of ethical restraints. 
     Now I can address this task and make the decision. 
     Fortunately or unfortunately, you have not heard the last of 
     me.
       I wish you all well.

                          ____________________