[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E305-E306]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF MAYOR DENNIS P. COLLINS

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 1996

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a very distinguished 
and outstanding citizen from my district. Dennis P. Collins, former 
mayor of Bayonne, has long understood the importance of community 
development and service. In recognition of his altruistic efforts, 
Mayor Collins will be honored by the Bayonne Family YMCA on March 10, 
1996, at the 4th Annual Distinguished Service Award Brunch at the Hi-
Hat Restaurant in Bayonne.
  Tradition and experience are key words when speaking of this truly 
dedicated citizen. Mayor Collins has been a life-long resident of the 
city of Bayonne. After proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during 
World War II, he returned to complete his post-secondary education at 
St. Peter's College and the State University of New Jersey. His 
educational accomplishments allowed him to further develop his career 
in various arenas.
  Mayor Collins' successful political career began in 1962 when he was 
elected the first ward councilman. Four years later, he was elected 
councilman at large. His leadership, influence, and commitment to the 
community led the residents of Bayonne to elect him mayor in 1974. As a 
result of his work and dedication, Mayor Collins was reelected to three 
terms.
  Bayonne and its citizens benefited from the hard work and dedication 
of Mayor Collins. As mayor, he developed a strong economic policy at a 
time when the country and State were in recession. He dramatically 
improved public services and was directly involved in the process of 
refurbishing many of the city's public parks and facilities.
  In his community, Mayor Collins has also played an active role and 
dedicated many hours of service to various institutions. He has taken 
part in veterans group activities and is a faithful parishioner at Our 
Lady Star of the Sea Parish. He has had the pleasure of working with 
the Knights of Columbus and was a standard bearer of the New Frontier 
Democrats.
  Mayor Collins has worked endlessly to promote a sense of community in 
Bayonne, and he serves as a role model for our public officials. I am 
proud to have him as a congressional staff member, and it is with great 
pleasure that I honor such a special constituent and leader.

[[Page E306]]



 BILL REQUESTING FAIR REPRESENTATION ON FEDERAL JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT 
                               OF APPEALS

                                 ______


                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 1996

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing legislation 
which calls for fair representation on all Federal Judicial Circuit 
Courts of Appeals.
  Currently, only two States, West Virginia and Hawaii do not have 
representation on their circuit Court of Appeals. In fact, it's been 12 
years since Judge Herbert Choy of Honolulu retired from the Ninth 
Circuit Court of Appeals. Some States like Montana, have only recently 
had a resident granted a judgeship. My bill would require that each 
State have at least one judge appointed to their circuit Court of 
Appeals. That way, all States would always have representation on the 
bench. The bill does not affect the President's historic power to 
appoint Federal judges.
  Having each State represented on its respective circuit courts, helps 
to ensure that justice is blind and impartial. A report entitled The 
Long Range Plans For Federal Courts, completed by the Judicial 
Conference of the United States in December 1995, noted, ``Federal 
judicial credibility and accountability are fostered when appellate 
judges are drawn primarily from the region they will serve.'' This bill 
would add to the judicial credibility of the courts because each State 
would have at least one judge representing and understanding its State 
law, business, and customs.
  This is not another law to add to the books. This legislation is 
about continuing the integrity of our third branch of Government, 
fairness and representation. I strongly urge my colleagues to support 
and pass this bill.

                          ____________________