[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 73 (Wednesday, May 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING GUAM SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JANET HEALY WEEKS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 1999

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, ``Justice'' is often represented by a 
blindfolded lady bearing scales on one hand and a sword and book on the 
other. The blindfold symbolizes equality for all under the law; the 
scales--balance; the sword--strength; and the book--intellect.
  In my opinion, Guam Supreme Court Justice Janet Healy Weeks is the 
absolute personification of this mythical figure. After having been 
personally acquainted with this dynamic lady for so many years, I have 
to give her my deepest respect and admiration. As Micronesia's first 
woman lawyer and first woman judge, Justice Weeks' niche in the annals 
of the Guam judicial system had long been secured.
  A native of Quincy, Massachusetts, Justice Weeks received a degree in 
Chemistry from Emmanuel College in Boston in 1955. She holds an L.L.D. 
from Boston College Law School and an honorary L.L.D. from the 
University of Guam. Upon her graduation from law school in 1958, she 
was selected for the Attorney General's Honor Graduate Program. She 
served under that capacity with the Department of Justice in 
Washington, D.C., until 1961. Having been admitted to practice law in 
the District Court of Guam, the Supreme Judicial Court of 
Massachusetts, the U.S. Court of Military Appeals, the U.S. Courts of 
Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United 
States, Justice Weeks became an associate in the law firm of Trapp and 
Gayle in 1971. In 1973, she was made a partner in the law firm of 
Trapp, Gayle, Teker, Weeks & Friedman.
  Appointed to the Superior Court of Guam in 1975, she went on to serve 
as a Superior Court Judge until 1996 when she was appointed to the 
newly created Supreme Court of Guam. She also sat in the Supreme Court 
of the Federated States of Micronesia from 1982 through 1988. From 1977 
to 1993 and again from 1996 until April of this year, Justice Weeks was 
designated a judge at the U.S. District Court of Guam. In 1993, she was 
appointed Associate Justice in the Supreme Court of the Republic of 
Palau, a position she holds to this day.
  Justice Weeks holds memberships with the American Bar Association, 
the Federal Bar Association, the Guam Bar Association, the American 
Trial Lawyers Association, the American Judges Association and the 
National Association of Women Judges. In addition, she has also been 
involved with the Guam Law Revision Commission, the National Conference 
of Trial Judges, the Territorial Law Library and the Territorial Crime 
Commission, Task Force on Courts, Prosecution and Defense. In 1973, she 
was a member of the Catholic School Board of Guam.
  As a jurist, Justice Weeks is beyond reproach. While on the bench, 
she always endeavored to dispense equal justice to all. Favoritism and 
preferential treatment has no place in her courtroom. This fact is the 
source of my undying respect for her.
  Justice Weeks' devotion to the island of Guam, its people, and the 
judicial system is her utmost legacy. While on Guam, Justice Weeks 
lived through some personal misfortunes enough to overcome and embitter 
the best among us. For over a quarter of a century, she has chosen to 
stay on Guam and weather every storm that came her way. Through it all 
she maintained her grace and dignity--another reason why I have looked 
up to her all these years.
  Last April, Justice Weeks has decided to step down and retire from 
the bench. Although a welcome boon to family and friends, her 
retirement has surely left a great void within the island's judiciary. 
The decades of service she dedicated to the people of Guam has truly 
earned her a place in our hearts. Her husband, retired Navy Commander 
George H. Weeks, and their children, Susan and George, certainly have 
every right to celebrate and be proud of this esteemed lady, dedicated 
jurist, and fellow public servant. On behalf of the people of Guam, I 
say, ``Si Yu'os Ma'ase'' to a distinguished community leader for having 
been such an exemplary role model and for her invaluable services to 
the island of Guam.

                          ____________________