[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E201]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO JUDGE JUELANN K. CATHEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 1998

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Judge 
Juelann K. Cathey, who will be honored by the San Fernando Valley Bar 
Association for her many accomplishments throughout her career.
  For over two decades, Juelann has dedicated her time and energy to 
our community through her work in the legal system. After graduating 
from the University of San Fernando Valley College of Law with honors, 
Juelann began her career as public defender in Colusa County. She was 
quickly promoted to Assistant District Attorney. Recognized for her 
hard work ethic and dedication, Juelann has continued to advance within 
the system. She now serves as the Los Angeles Municipal Court 
Commissioner.
  Perhaps one attribute that colleagues find most refreshing is 
Juelann's ability to handle a stressful situation with humor. Though 
everyone is well aware of the seriousness of the issues she deals with 
on a daily basis, her grace under pressure puts everyone in the 
courtroom at ease. In addition, Juelann's ability to mediate situations 
successfully and her willingness to incorporate the ideas of others 
make her well respected among lawyers and her court staff.
  These achievements are a testament not only to Juelann's dedication 
to her career, they also illustrate her strength of character and 
perseverance. Though Juelann is widely respected throughout our 
community for her demeanor in the courtroom, perhaps it is her personal 
strength and will to succeed which is so amazing. Widowed at the age of 
28, Juelann was left to raise six young children on her own. Realizing 
that she needed to financially support her family, she decided to 
attend law school. Balancing school work and family was not easy, but 
Juelann excelled at both.
  Booker T. Washington once said that, ``Success is to be measured not 
so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the 
obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed.'' Faced with 
a devastating personal tragedy, Juelann chose to move forward, making a 
life for her children and working to improve the social conditions 
within our community.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in paying 
tribute to Judge Juelann Cathey. She is truly a role model to those 
with whom she interacts, not only in the courtroom, but in the 
community as well.

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