[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 77 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1058]]
LEGISLATION TO DESIGNATE THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN SANTA FE, NM, AFTER 
                         JUDGE SANTIAGO CAMPOS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to memorialize an 
outstanding jurist, an honorable man, and a leading Hispanic in the 
field of law by introducing legislation to name the Federal Courthouse 
in Santa Fe, NM, after Judge Santiago Campos. I am pleased to be joined 
in introducing this legislation by my colleagues, Mr. Serrano, Mr. 
Grijalva, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Solis, Mr. Rodriguez, and Mr. 
Pastor.
  Judge Santiago Campos was the first Hispanic appointed to the Federal 
bench in New Mexico, serving from 1978 until his death in 2001, 
including as chief judge from 1987 through 1989. Judge Campos' career 
of public service only culminated with his service as a U.S. District 
Court Judge, as he also served in the U.S. Navy as a Seaman First Class 
from 1944 to 1946, as the Assistant and First Assistant Attorney 
General of New Mexico from 1954 to 1957, and as a District Court Judge 
from 1971 to 1978 in the First Judicial District in the State of New 
Mexico. Judge Campos served with distinction on the bench and displayed 
both firmness and compassion with those who entered his courtroom. He 
was a life long resident of New Mexico and graduated first in his law 
school class at the University of New Mexico.
  Judge Campos was very active in his courtroom, often exercising his 
right to question witnesses in the middle of cross-examinations. Many 
agree that he became more involved in a case than other judges, but 
still let a lawyer try his own case. One of his most memorable cases 
ordered the Gannett Co. to return The New Mexican, Santa Fe's daily 
newspaper, to its former owner, Robert McKinney due to a breach of 
contract.
  During his career, Campos was an honorary member of the Order of the 
Coif. He also received the Distinguished Achievement Award of the State 
Bar of New Mexico in 1993, and in the same year the University of New 
Mexico honored him with a Distinguished Achievement Award.
  Sadly, Judge Campos passed away on January 20th, 2001. Following his 
passing, the New Mexico State Legislature passed a joint memorial 
requesting Congress to name the Federal Courthouse in Santa Fe, New 
Mexico, after Judge Campos who had his chambers in the courthouse for 
over 22 years. In addition, the judges of the Tenth Circuit Court of 
Appeals who reside in New Mexico and the district judges of the 
District of New Mexico unanimously requested and support Congressional 
action to name the Federal Courthouse after Judge Campos. I am pleased 
to take up this effort.
  Last Congress I introduced this legislation and was able to work to 
get it passed by the House. Unfortunately the Senate did not act on 
this legislation. This year, however, I am hopeful that we will be able 
to get this legislation signed into law and honor this great man with a 
small token of appreciation for the remarkable life that he lived.

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