[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 15 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1966

                                 ______


                            HON. RICK WHITE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. WHITE. Mr. Speaker, today, the gentleman from Oregon, Mr. Bunn, 
is introducing the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 
1996. I am an original cosponsor of this legislation.
  The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act is important 
legislation which will vastly improve the judicial process in the 
western United States. In terms of geographic area, population, and 
caseload, the current Ninth Circuit is much too big. By splitting the 
Ninth Circuit and creating a new Twelfth Circuit, we will ensure the 
highest qualify and most efficient jurisprudence for both the Ninth 
Circuit and the new Twelfth Circuit.
  Under Mr. Bunn's bill, the headquarters of the Twelfth Circuit will 
be Portland, OR. Although I am original cosponsor of this legislation, 
it is my belief that the Twelfth Circuit's headquarters should be 
Seattle, WA. I commend Mr. Bunn for his leadership on this issue, but I 
differ with him on this one point. In terms of accessibility and 
economic significance, Seattle is the logical location for the 
headquarters of the Twelfth Circuit. As this bill moves through the 
legislative process, I look forward to working with Mr. Bunn and 
Chairman Hyde and hopefully come to an equitable solution to this 
issue.

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