[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E69-E70]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF JUDGE MARILYN MORGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 19, 1999

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a true humanitarian and an 
outstanding member of my hometown community of San Jose, California.
  Judge Marilyn Morgan has served on the United States Bankruptcy Court 
with honor and distinction for over ten years. To acknowledge her 
exemplary service on the bench, as well as her prior service as an 
attorney and trustee, the consumer bankruptcy community of Division 5 
of the Northern District of California is honoring Judge Morgan with 
the Fresh Start Award. This honor is given to those who have provided 
outstanding leadership on issues concerning the bankruptcy system and 
those who strive to improve it. The Fresh Start award also honors those 
who have worked hard to maintain equity, integrity, fairness and 
compassion in the system. Judge Morgan is a shining example of the best 
in our judicial system.
  Judge Morgan demonstrated her commitment to fairness and justice even 
before pursuing her career in the field of law by working in the civil 
rights movement in Atlanta with (now Congressman) John Lewis and 
others.
  Prior to serving on the bench, Judge Morgan practiced law in San 
Jose, and was always mindful of the needs of our community. She 
provided pro-bono legal assistance to underserved members of our 
community and served as secretary of the Pro-Bono Project. Judge Morgan 
represented both debtors and creditors in chapter 7 and chapter 13 
cases. She also found time to serve as a Chapter 7 trustee, and in that 
capacity was a founder and officer of the National Association of 
Bankruptcy Trustees (NABT).
  As an expert on bankruptcy law, Judge Morgan has participated as a 
panelist or moderator at seminars conducted by groups such as the 
Norton Institute, the American Law Institute-American Bar Association, 
and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. She also 
served as a panelist before the National Bankruptcy Review Commission 
as it studied the need for bankruptcy reform.
  While practicing law, Marilyn Morgan participated in the activities 
of several professional associations, serving as President and 
Treasurer of the Santa Clara County Bar Association and as a trustee of 
the Santa Clara County Law Related Education Committee, to name a few. 
She is an active member of the National Conference of Bankruptcy 
Judges. In addition, she has been an officer or director of many 
community organizations in San Jose, including the Rotary Club of San 
Jose, the American Red Cross and the Downtown YMCA.

[[Page E70]]

  Judge Morgan has shown leadership on many issues of concern to the 
bankruptcy community in San Jose. She was instrumental in the creation 
of the Chapter 13 subcommittee which has provided a valuable forum for 
communications between the Bench and the Bar, as well as a vehicle to 
elevate the practice of law.
  On January 14, 1999, Judge Morgan received the Fresh Start Award. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Judge Morgan for 
receiving such a special award. She is to be commended for her efforts 
to improve the consumer bankruptcy system in her community