[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JUDGE JAMES BATTIN

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to the life of a 
great Montanan and a very good man, Judge James F. Battin.
  Judge Battin lost his battle with cancer yesterday. But he leaves 
behind a legacy of public service and devotion to the law that has 
helped make Montana a better place.
  Last August, I had the honor of attending the investiture of 
Montana's newest Federal judge, Judge Don Molloy. Years ago, Judge 
Molloy served as a clerk for Judge Battin. And, through the ensuing 
years, Judge Battin played the role of friend and mentor to his former 
clerk.
  So it was a great honor to see Judge Battin administer the oath to 
our new judge. As Judge Molloy begins his service on the bench, he 
could look for no finer role model than Judge Battin.
  One of President Nixon's first judicial appointments, Judge Battin 
came to the bench from Congress. He served for a number of years--with 
great effectiveness and distinction--as eastern Montana's Republican 
Congressman.
  Yet, at the time, there were some Montana lawyers who questioned 
whether a good Congressman would also make a good judge. One attorney 
was later quoted as saying, ``everybody said he would be a terrible 
pain.''
  But that same lawyer went on to say ``everybody was proven wrong . . 
. he's a superior judge.''
  That is a sentiment shared by everyone in Montana who knew Judge 
Battin. Wanda and I offer our condolences to his wife Barbara and their 
family. Yet they should be deeply proud of the life Judge Battin lived. 
He made a difference.

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