[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP REMEMBERED

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a member of 
my community who passed away this week after a long bout with cancer. 
Judge Thomas M. Burns will leave a great void, not only to his family 
who mourns this loss, but to the City of Saginaw, the State of Michigan 
and our Nation.
  Thomas Burns was a unique spirit in many respects. His dedication and 
deep commitment to public service distinguished his career. He 
graduated fro St. Stephen's High School in 1932, attended Bay City 
Junior College and graduated from the Detroit College of Law in 1939. 
From the beginning of his long career, he dedicated his life to the 
community.
  Almost 60 years ago, Thomas Burns started his career as an assistant 
prosecuting attorney in Saginaw, MI. He served in that capacity from 
1939 to 1952. His civilian service, as with so many of our citizens, 
was interrupted by World War II. From 1942 to 1946 he exchanged the 
front lines of prosecution for the battlelines of war.
  As Captain in the Armored Infantry Battalion, 14th Armored Division 
under General Patton, he served his country admirably. Mr. Burns was 
recognized for his valor not once, but several times. He was awarded 
many honors including the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star, 
three Battle Stars and earned the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in 
battle. When the war was over, he put his legal background to work as a 
special prosecutor in the Nuremberg Trials.
  Six years after his military service, Thomas Burns became interested 
in polities. He was elected to the Michigan State House of 
Representatives and served honorably from 1952 to 1956. Following his 
term, he was appointed to the Michigan Public Service Commission and 
eventually became its chairman in 1962.
  In 1962, Mr. Burns found his final calling. This time when he ran for 
office it was for the Michigan Court of Appeals. Elected appellate 
judge in 1968, Judge Burns served honorably in that capacity for the 
next 18 years. In 1981, he was elected Judge of the Year by the 
Michigan Trial Lawyers Association. He was a member of the Society of 
Irish American Lawyers and the Michigan Supreme Court Historical 
Society.
  Thomas M. Burns was predeceased by his son Thomas, who, as a lawyer 
and brewmaster, founded one of the first micro breweries in Michigan. 
Judge Burns is survived by his wife, Alice, and his daughters, Bridgett 
Spence and Mary Neer.
  Mr. Speaker, from his distinguished background it is easy, even for 
those who never had the pleasure of knowing Judge Burns, to envision 
his leadership. His resume pays only partial tribute to his distinction 
as a man and as a public servant. Judge Burns was not distinguished 
solely by the titles he held, but by the manner in which he fulfilled 
his responsibilities.
  Drawing from his vast experience, Judge Burns served as a vanguard of 
civil rights. His opinion always focused on the welfare of his 
community. One lawyer in my community remembered that Judge Burns ``was 
able to simplify things, so much so that most complicated issues could 
be explained in layman's terms.'' And he did so without ever failing to 
lose his sense of humor.
  Mr. Speaker, my community, and our Nation, would benefit if there 
were more outstanding individuals like Thomas M. Burns. He is an 
outstanding role model and a shining example of positive community 
leadership in our complicated and often cynical world. In all of his 
various roles as prosecutor, legislator, judge and father, Judge Burns 
instilled in others a devotion to life and service that was deeply 
evident in his words and deeds.
  Judge Thomas M. Burns enriched our lives, bettered our community and 
showed the rest of us, by example, what public service is all about. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to an outstanding 
individual who will be missed by his family and all those whose lives 
he has touched.

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