[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 49 (Friday, April 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             PAYING TRIBUTE TO JUDGE T. PETER CRAVEN------

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                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, April 25, 2002--

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to rise today and recognize 
the dedication and hard work of Judge T. Peter Craven. For over ten 
years, Pete has served as a Ninth Judicial District judge, and for over 
three decades he has served the people of Colorado in the judicial 
system. I am proud to represent such an incredible individual. Because 
of his unparalleled dedication and extraordinary prowess in his field, 
Pete is being honored by the Colorado Judicial Institute with the 
Judicial Excellence Award. It is truly an honor to be able to bring his 
many accomplishments to the attention of this body of Congress.
  Judge Craven is known throughout his district for his careful 
attention and deliberation on each and every case that comes before 
him. He clearly recognizes that although the next case may be the 
fortieth that he has seen this week, the outcome will change the lives 
of the participants. His care and attention is evidenced by the set of 
small tables and chairs found in his office, which contain paper and 
crayons for the children involved in his cases. He truly believes in 
the importance of children having as much a say as anyone in the cases 
that will affect their lives.
  The Honorable Judge has also been involved in developing new programs 
to improve the legal system. He has been instrumental in creating a 
drug court, where the legal system can address the specific and unique 
needs of substance abuse cases and provide the structure that is needed 
to make progress in that area. Pete has helped to develop a child 
advocacy program to ensure that the best interests of children are 
always taken into consideration by the courts.
  Mr. Speaker, Judge Craven's dedication, innovation, and talent are an 
extraordinary example to all Coloradans, and indeed the entire Nation. 
The level of integrity and honesty with which the Judge has conducted 
himself each and every day while overseeing the laws of the great state 
of Colorado and our great country is remarkable, and I can think of no 
one more deserving of the Judicial Excellence Award. The attitude of 
this man reflects the modesty and levelheaded spirit of my district, as 
even though Judge Craven deserves every bit of this award, he insists 
that he share this honor with the many people with whom he works every 
day. It is an honor to be able to bring the accomplishments of such an 
incredible man to the attention of this body of Congress. Thank you 
Judge Craven for all that you have done for your State and for your 
country.

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