[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 70 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S5148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO FRANKLIN S. BILLINGS, JR.

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Franklin ``Bill'' Billings on the occasion of his 75th birthday. In 
addition, I would like to take this opportunity and commemorate his 
distinguished service as a Federal judge.
  Bill's career has been dedicated to serving the people of Vermont in 
a wide array of positions. He first served the Green Mountain State as 
assistant secretary of the Senate from 1949 to 1953. He was later 
selected to represent the Woodstock area as a member of the Vermont 
House. During his tenure, Bill was elected speaker of the Vermont 
General Assembly in 1963 and 1965, which were tumultuous 
reapportionment years for the State. In 1975, he was appointed to the 
Vermont Supreme Court and subsequently chosen to serve as Chief 
Justice. He concluded his career as the U.S. district court judge for 
the district of Vermont.
  Throughout his efforts, Bill has remained consistently committed to 
standards of professionalism above reproach as well as an unwavering 
respect and dedication to ethics. His uncanny ability to see beyond the 
surface, while considering some of the most complicated legal matters, 
is testimony to a keen intellect.
  Once again, I would like to extend my best wishes and congratulations 
to Judge Bill Billings. He has set an example which we should all 
strive to emulate.

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