[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 36 (Wednesday, March 19, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2572]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page S2572]]



                         JUDGE FRED J. BORCHARD

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to one 
of the iron men of our judicial system, Judge Fred J. Borchard, who has 
served the State of Michigan for over 50 years. Judge Borchard's tenure 
marks the longest term of service of any Michigan judge in history.
  Judge Borchard put himself through the University of Michigan and its 
law school by working various full time jobs. His law practice was 
postponed while he served his country as a forward gun observer in the 
Pacific theater during World War II. In 1947, he was elected municipal 
judge and in 1954, he was elected Probate Judge.
  In 1958, Gov. G. Mennen Williams appointed Judge Borchard to the 
Saginaw circuit bench, where he served until his retirement in 1989. 
Since then, he has continued to serve Michigan by filling in for judges 
away on vacations and conferences.
  Judge Borchard's love of law has kept him fully engaged during his 
long service on the bench. His court was known for its courteous and 
efficient atmosphere where citizens could settle their disputes. He 
wholeheartedly believes in the ability of our legal system to make a 
positive difference in our lives. It is these traits that have made 
Judge Borchard a favorite among his colleagues, constituents and 
contemporaries. Judge Borchard has been a leader in his community as 
well. He has served in the University of Michigan Club, Germania of 
Saginaw, and the Kiwanis Club of Saginaw. He has served on the Board of 
Directors of both St. Luke's Hospital and the Saginaw County Chamber of 
Commerce. He has also shown his commitment to serving others through 
the work he has done with his church.
  Judge Borchard was married to the late Helen Fay Honeywell for almost 
50 years, and they had four children Fred, Barb, Jim, and Sara. They 
have carried on Judge Borchard's ideals of service to the public in 
their own lives. Judge Borchard has been married to Dorothy Denton for 
the past 5 years.
  I know my Senate colleagues will join me in honoring Judge Fred J. 
Borchard for his 50 historic years of service to the State of 
Michigan's judicial system.

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