[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 150 (Friday, November 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1990]]
                 RECOGNIZING JUDGE RICHARD LEE McMECHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard Lee 
McMechan, retiring Superior Court Judge of Mariposa County.
  Judge McMechan began his education at Fullerton Junior College, and 
soon after, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Science from 
California State University of Long Beach in 1960. He proceeded to earn 
his law degree from Western State University College of Law in Anaheim 
in Orange County. During and after law school he served as a detective 
and traffic officer in Garden Grove from 1958-62. From 1962-72 he 
served as a Claims Manager/Supervisor at Kemper Insurance Company in 
Santa Ana. Judge McMechan also proudly served his country from Private 
to Sergeant in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve from 1956-62.
  Judge McMechan was admitted to the California Bar Association on 
January 5, 1972. From 1972 to 1974 he handled insurance defense for 
Hunt, Liljestrom & Wentworth. Between 1974 and 1982 he was a sole 
practitioner for San Juan Capistrano and Santa Ana, in California. 
McMechan also served as the Deputy District Attorney, part time, in 
Mariposa County from 1979-82. He served as Judge of the Sierra Judicial 
District Justice Court in Madera County from July 13, 1982 to November 
16, 1987. On October 29, 1987 Judge McMechan was appointed to the 
position of Superior Court Judge and was officially elected Superior 
Court Judge on June 7, 1988.
  Judge McMechan was born October 15, 1937 in Brea, California. He 
married Carol A. Wojciechowski on May 12, 1962. The couple have four 
successful children: Diedre, Kirsten, Darin and Bryan.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Judge Richard Lee McMechan for his 
tremendous contributions to his community. I urge my colleagues to join 
me in wishing Judge Richard Lee McMechan many more years of continued 
success.

                          ____________________