[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 113 (Wednesday, August 4, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10261-S10262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         JIM BATTIN COURTHOUSE

 Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to one 
of Montana's greatest citizens, the Honorable James F. Battin, Sr. Jim 
Battin was born in Wichita, Kansas, and at the age of four, moved to 
Billings, Montana, where he was raised. After graduating from high 
school, he served for three years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, 
spending most of that time in the Pacific theater. Following the war, 
Jim returned home to continue his education, graduating first from 
Eastern Montana College in Billings and later receiving his J.D. from 
George Washington University. He continued his career in public service 
as a city attorney in Billings, and in 1958, he was elected to the 
Montana state legislature. Only two years later, he successfully ran 
for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was quickly 
assigned seats on the House Committee on Committees, as well as Ways 
and Means, two very prestigious seats for a freshman member of 
Congress. Jim later served on the House Foreign Relations and Judiciary 
Committees, and was ultimately elected five times by the people of his 
district, which then covered the eastern half of the state of Montana. 
During his congressional career, which lasted from 1961 to 1969, 
Congressman Battin played an instrumental role in a good deal of 
legislation, including the bill which created Montana's Bob Marshall 
Wilderness Area, at the time the largest wildlife area in the United 
States. Jim also served as one of two U.S. Congressional 
Representatives to the Inter-Governmental Committee on European 
Migration, which met in Geneva. This group helped individuals who were 
expelled from behind the Iron Curtain to re-establish businesses in 
other countries, or to find work in other occupations. In 1968, 
Congressman Battin was President Nixon's representative to the Platform 
Committee at the Republican National Committee, and shortly thereafter, 
in early 1969, he became President Nixon's first judicial appointment. 
He served as a U.S. district judge for the district of Montana for 27 
years, becoming its Chief Judge in 1978. During his time on the bench, 
Judge Battin issued key rulings affecting the lives of Montana 
citizens, among them his ruling which preserved access to the Bighorn 
River for people throughout the state, and his creation of the 
precedent for the now universally accepted six-man federal jury in 
civil cases. A dedicated and hard working man, James F. Battin Sr. 
remained on the bench until his passing in the autumn of 1996.
  It was with these facts in mind, Mr. President, that led to my 
support of H.R. 158, a bill which would designate the United States 
courthouse located at 316 North 26th Street in Billings,

[[Page S10262]]

Montana, as the ``James F. Battin United States Courthouse''. Congress 
passed H.R. 158 earlier this year, and it was signed into law by the 
President on April 5th, 1999, as Public Law 106-11. I believe that the 
renaming of this courthouse, which Judge Battin presided over for so 
long, is the most fitting tribute that the United States Congress and 
the people of Montana can pay to this great man, whose outstanding 
career in public service spanned over 40 years. Come next Monday, when 
this building is officially rechristened with its new name, I think all 
of us should take a moment to tip our hats in thanks to Judge Battin 
for a job well-done. Mr. President, I yield the floor.

                          ____________________