[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING CHIEF JUDGE NORMAN W. BLACK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 1996

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Honorable Norman W. 
Black, Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern 
District of Texas, as he prepares to assume senior status later this 
year.
  Judge Black's 16 years as a U.S. district judge cap a career of 
service to his country, to his community, to education, and to the 
practice of law. His career has been marked by a deep commitment to 
integrity, hard work, fairness, honesty, and justice.
  Judge Black obtained both his undergraduate and legal education at 
the University of Texas. He served in the U.S. Army Military Police 
from 1955 to 1957 before beginning his legal career as an assistant 
U.S. attorney. Later, he participated in the formation of the law firm 
of Black, Hebinck, Hargorve & Clark. He engaged in private practice 
from 1959 to 1976.
  In 1976, he was appointed U.S. Magistrate for the Southern District 
of Texas. In 1979, President Carter appointed him U.S. District Judge 
for the Southern District of Texas at the recommendation of Senator 
Lloyd Bentsen, and he has served as chief judge since October 1992.
  Each year, the Houston Bar Association evaluates all sitting judges 
in Harris County, including U.S. district court judges. Judge Black 
routinely rates as one of the top judges in every category evaluated by 
members of the trial bar who practice in the various courts.
  The best testaments to Judge Black's achievements come from his 
colleagues and those who have practiced before him. I want to quote 
from some of their statements nominating Judge Black in 1995 for the 
Samuel Pessarra Outstanding Jurist Award.
  Attorney David Beck, who has appeared before Judge Black, stated, ``I 
have always found Judge Black to be objective and even-handed in his 
rulings and courteous to all litigants and their counsel. He rules 
decisively and timely, works extremely hard, and is knowledgeable of 
the law, which is no easy task given the numerous substantive areas to 
which our judges are consistently exposed.''
  Chief Judge Henry A. Politz of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth 
Judicial Circuit, had this to say about Judge Black: ``On the 
administrative level, he is nothing short of a marvel. * * * I wish all 
of our judges had his keen instinct for what is right in just about 
every situation.''
  Attorney James B. Sales stated, ``A universal comment is that he 
possesses impeccable integrity, fairness, and honesty. Indeed, he is 
the epitome of the kind of judge that we all admire and hold as the 
standard by which to measure others who aspire to the Bench.''
  In addition to his commitment to law, Judge Black has contributed 
tremendously to education and to our community. He has taught at the 
University of Houston School of Law, the University of Cincinnati, and 
the South Texas College of Law, where he currently is adjunct 
professor. He is much-loved by his students, and his seminar is always 
the first one closed because of over-subscription.
  Judge Black's contributions to his community include membership in 
the Houston Philosophical Society, as well as the Federal, Texas, 
Houston, and American Bar Associations. He has been instrumental in 
developing mentoring and fellowship programs to encourage interest in 
and knowledge of the law. Judge Black also has been active in many of 
our community's religious and cultural institutions. Despite these many 
commitments, Judge Black has always found time to be a loving husband, 
father, and grandfather.
  Judge Black will be sorely missed by all who have worked with him, 
all who value the law, and all who appreciate his fairness and 
integrity. We wish him well.

                          ____________________