[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JUDGE IRVIN B. BOOKER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an outstanding 
member of the Newark community on the occasion of his retirement after 
a long and distinguished judicial career, the Honorable Irvin B. 
Booker.
  Judge Booker has contributed over two decades of service to our 
community. Appointed to the Newark Court in 1970, he served as 
presiding judge of the Newark Municipal Court from 1974 through 1980. 
He was then elevated by the Governor of the New Jersey to the position 
of Judge of the Essex County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. 
Most recently, he sat on the Superior Court of New Jersey, assigned to 
the Family Court part of Essex County.
  Not only has Judge Booker gained great respect for his professional 
accomplishments, he has also won the admiration and gratitude of the 
community for his tireless volunteer work. Judge Booker, affectionately 
known as ``Buddy'' by his close friends, is noted for his vision and 
creative ideas to benefit the community. Always thinking of ways to 
improve the community or to stimulate citizens' awareness, he has been 
considered a fair, thoughtful and even-mannered judge. Judge Booker has 
increased the awareness of the judiciary by hosting an annual Black 
History Month program at the County Courts Building, which has 
continued to grow in size and stature.
  He has been an active participant in the Celebrity Read Program for 
Newark Elementary School Students; an active supporter of Senior 
Citizens events for the James C. White Senior Citizen Complex; an 
organizer of Education Encouragement Day for the city of Newark; an 
advisor and Pro Bono Incorporating Attorney for New Community 
Corporation, which meets numerous needs in our community; an organizing 
member of the First Crispus Attucks Day Parade; a Founder and 
Coordinator of the Life Experience and Achievement Program; and a 
supporter of the Weequahic High School and Chancellor Annex Father's 
Club. He was also a founding member of the Barristers of New Jersey, 
the Concerned Legal Associates, and the Garden State Bar. Other 
professional affiliations include membership in: the American Bar 
Association, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the National Bar 
Association, the Essex County Bar Association, the Essex County 
Municipal Court Judges Association, the Criminal Justice Coordinating 
Counsel, the Seton Hall Moot Court-Visiting Instructor, the Legal 
Advisory Committee of Montclair State College, the New Jersey Supreme 
Court Committee on Municipal Courts, the Advisory Board of the New 
Jersey Center for Law and Related Education, and the National Council 
for Judicial Planning.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in offering congratulations 
and best wishes for the future to Judge Booker.

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