[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 2 (Thursday, January 5, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E40]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   BRUCE THOMPSON FEDERAL COURTHOUSE

                                 ______


                       HON. BARBARA F. VUCANOVICH

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mrs. VUCANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, today I have reintroduced legislation 
to name the new Federal courthouse in Reno, NV after the late Judge 
Bruce R. Thompson.
  I cannot think of a more deserving Nevadan on which to bestow this 
honor. Judge Thompson was one of Nevada's most prominent, respected and 
beloved men in the Nevada legal community and led a long and highly 
distinguished career. After graduating from the University of Nevada 
and Stanford law school, he practiced law with George Springmeyer and 
later Mead Dixon for 27 years until 1963. He served as assistant U.S. 
attorney for the district of Nevada from 1942 to 1952 and as special 
master for the U.S. District Court of the District of Nevada from 1952 
to 1953. Judge Thompson was also president of the Nevada State Bar 
Association from 1955 to 1956. Following a term as regent to the State 
planning board in 1959, he served as its chairman from 1960 to 1961. In 
1963, he was appointed U.S. district judge by President John Kennedy.
  His outstanding career is coupled by the immense love and respect 
Judge Thompson earned from his colleagues. In fact, numerous 
organizations representing nearly the entire legal community of Nevada 
have endorsed this legislation. These include, among many others, the 
Washoe County Bar Association, the State Bar of Nevada, the Nevada 
Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Defense Council of Nevada 
and the Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association.
  Mr. Speaker, the House passed this bill (H.R. 3110) in the last 
session, only to see it die in the other body. Since construction began 
on this new courthouse last summer, the timeliness and importance of 
enacting this bill is clear. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues in the near future to ensure the smooth sailing of this 
legislation.




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