[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 36 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E489-E490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE HON. FLOYD R. GIBSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 1998

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Floyd R. Gibson, Senior Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth 
Circuit who will be celebrating his recent birthday this Sunday with 
his friends. Judge Gibson has dedicated his professional career to 
public service. From his graduation from the University of Missouri-
Columbia in 1933 where he earned both his law degree and bachelor's 
degree, through his 32 years on the Eighth Circuit, Floyd R. Gibson has 
enriched our community.
  Floyd and his lovely wife, Gertrude have raised three successful 
children, Charles, John, and Catherine. His family accomplishments 
occurred while demonstrating a distinguished career in public policy 
and the law. Judge Gibson entered private practice in the Kansas City 
area upon his graduation where he rose to become a named partner in 
three firms. While in private practice, Judge Gibson was elected County 
Counselor for Jackson County.
  He later turned his efforts to state government where he served 21 
years in both the House and Senate of the Missouri General Assembly. 
The Judge distinguished himself in the Missouri Senate as Chairman of 
the Judiciary Committee, Majority Floor Leader, and in his final term 
as President Pro Term of the Senate. His success did not go unnoticed--
in 1960 the ``St. Louis Globe Democrat'' newspaper named Floyd Gibson 
the Most Valuable Member of the Legislature.
  With such credentials, President John F. Kennedy nominated him in 
1961 to become a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of 
Missouri. Judge Gibson was named to the position of Chief Judge one 
year to the day of his September 1961 appointment. In June of 1965 
President Johnson appointed Judge Gibson to the U.S. Court of Appeals 
for the Eighth Circuit. He served as the Eighth Circuit Chief Judge 
from 1974 to 1980 when he assumed senior status.
  The Judge has received numerous awards and honors, as well as having 
been published on many occasions. A member of the Missouri, Kansas 
City, Federal, and American Bar Associations, Judge Gibson has 
distinguished himself through his legal work. He gives back to our 
community through his service on the Board of Trustees for the 
University of Missouri-Kansas City and as an Advisory Director to the 
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation.
  A Kansas Citian for more than 80 years, Senior Judge Floyd Gibson is 
a critical part of our community's fabric and history. Through his 
decisions he has invoked a sense of equity and fairness that have 
benefitted our citizens. His work in codifying the probate statutes 
have improved the system significantly.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to salute a great friend and legal 
scholar of the bar, Floyd R. Gibson, Senior Judge for the U.S. Court of 
Appeals Eighth Circuit.

[[Page E490]]



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