[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF WILLIAM L. PECK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 1999

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to William L. Peck, 
a man distinguished by his 37-year dedication to our system of 
jurisprudence and, particularly, his service on the bench of the 
Ventura Country Superior Court.
  Judge Peck retired last month. His passion, wisdom and outspokenness 
in defense of the law will be missed within the Ventura County Hall of 
Justice.
  Judge Peck graduated from Boalt Law School at the University of 
California and Berkeley in 1961, and joined the Ventura County District 
Attorney's Office in 1962. In 1965, he went into private practice, 
where he remained until his appointment to the Ventura County Superior 
Court bench in 1980.
  He served in many capacities during his judicial service, including 
presiding judge in 1985 and 1986. During his tenure he also served as 
presiding judge of the Appellate Department of the Court, and retired 
as supervising judge of the Civil Trial Judges of the Superior Court.
  Judge Peck believes the justice system fails when a civil case goes 
to trial, and worked tirelessly over the years to bring parties to 
agreement. His efforts are credited with greatly reducing the court's 
calendar.
  The law was equally important in Judge Peck's work outside the 
courtroom. He served in several capacities on the Ventura County Bar 
Association, including president in 1972. For several years he served 
on the Conference of Delegates for the State Bar of California. He 
served on the California Judges Association Board of Directors. In 
addition, Judge Peck held memberships in the Ventura Country Criminal 
Defense Bar Association, Ventura County Trail Lawyers Association and 
the American Bar Association.
  He also shared his love of the law with schoolchildren by 
participating as a judge for several years at the Mock Trials 
Competition for Ventura County High Schools. He supported the education 
of our youth as a member of the Ventura County School District Board of 
Education, the Ventura County School Boards Association, the Ventura 
County Committee on School District Organization and the California 
School Boards Association.
  Judge Peck also served on a myriad of other community committees and 
boards throughout his distinguished career. His service was also 
recognized through numerous awards, including his selection as Citizen 
of the Year by the Ventura Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1983; and the 
Petit Award for Outstanding Community Service in 1980 from the Ventura 
Chamber of Commerce.
  When not accepting assignments as a retired jurist, Judge Peck will 
share his retirement with his wife, Laura. They have two children, Eric 
and Adair.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in recognizing William 
Peck for his decades of service and wish him and his family Godspeed in 
his retirement.




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