[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 108 (Monday, July 28, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1537-E1538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN MEMORY OF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE NORMAN BLACK OF HOUSTON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 28, 1997

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my Houston colleague Mr. Gene 
Green and myself, I rise to honor the memory of a valued and respected 
member of the Federal judiciary and a constituent, Senior U.S. District 
Judge Norman W. Black, and chief judge emeritus of the southern 
district of Texas, who passed away on July 23, 1997. As much as the 
community of Houston loved and respected Judge Black, his family has 
suffered an even greater loss.

[[Page E1538]]

  Judge Black was an institution in Houston, a city he truly loved. He 
was born and raised in Houston, attending the city's public schools 
before attending the University of Texas for his bachelor and law 
degrees. He was an active citizen of the Houston community, a member of 
several civic and professional organizations including the Houston 
Philosophical Society, Congregation Beth Israel, and many, many more. 
His legacy of good work will be missed.
  Judge Black was recommended to the bench by my uncle, Senator Lloyd 
Bentsen, and appointed by President Carter in 1979. He had previously 
served as a Federal magistrate in Houston for 3 years and had practiced 
law before that. He stepped down from his post of chief judge of the 
southern district last December, as required, upon turning 65. But he 
remained active, maintaining senior status in order to remain on the 
bench to handle his own cases and fill in as needed for other judges 
around the district.
  Judge Black will be remembered not only for his position, but for the 
manner in which he served. He was a Texas gentleman, presiding on the 
bench as an even-tempered and courteous man of justice. He was one of 
the best-liked jurists on the Federal bench. He consistently received 
the highest ratings in the Houston Bar Association's annual poll. He 
will be remembered for his legal mind as well as his duty to the people 
he served. he had the compassion and understanding to recognize how his 
decisions impacted the lives of real people. He was, indeed, one of our 
very best.
  Judge Black revered the law and recognized its importance. As an 
instructor at the University of Houston Law School and an adjunct 
professor at South Texas School of Law, he taught students to show 
respect and dignity for the law. He criticized ``Rambo-type'' attorneys 
who fought endlessly over minor points and impugned the integrity of 
their colleagues, calling them bad role models for young lawyers. He 
always recalled that when he began practicing law in the 1950's, young 
lawyers strove to be more like ``Perry Mason''--polite, dignified and 
dedicated to serving their client.
  Judge Black was more than just a great judge; he was also a great 
Texan, a loyal friend, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. We 
offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Berne, his two daughters, 
Elizabeth Berry of Houston and Diane Smith of Austin, and his entire 
family. We feel their loss as we mourn the passing of Judge Norman 
Black.

                          ____________________