[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               JAMES R. BROWNING UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2003

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that today I am 
introducing legislation to designate the United States Courthouse 
located at 95 Seventh Street in San Francisco, California as the 
``James R. Browning United States Courthouse,'' to honor Judge Browning 
for his lifetime of outstanding public service.
  James R. Browning was born in Great Falls, Montana, and received his 
law degree from the University of Montana. Prior to his appointment to 
the bench, he served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, worked 
in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, practiced 
in a law firm, and served as Clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court.
  In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed James Browning to the 
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He dedicated the 
rest of his career to the Ninth Circuit, becoming the longest serving 
judge in the history of the circuit. Judge Browning became very active 
in the Judicial Conference of the United States, serving on a number of 
committees that worked to strengthen the federal judiciary.
  Upon becoming Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit in 1976, Judge 
Browning focused on improving the function of the circuit, which was 
struggling with a large backlog of cases and delays in appeal 
decisions. Due to his efforts and innovative practices, additional 
judges were added to the court of appeals, the time required to decide 
appeals was cut in half, and the backlog was eliminated. He also 
improved communication among the justices, emphasizing the importance 
of good colleague rapport. His innovations were studied and adopted by 
other circuit courts, and he has received several prestigious awards in 
recognition of his achievements.
  Judge Browning's contributions to national jurisprudence are also 
outstanding. During his forty-two years on the Ninth Circuit, Judge 
Browning has participated in almost 1000 published appellate decisions 
and authored many other unsigned per curiam opinions. In a 2001 
tribute, a colleague described him as ``the consummate appellate judge 
. . . he treats each case that comes before him with careful attention 
and produces succinct, clearly reasoned opinions.'' Colleagues have 
also lauded him for his seminal contributions to national antitrust 
jurisprudence and his attentiveness to ensuring that citizens have 
access to the justice system.
  Judge Browning stepped down as Chief Judge in 1988 but did not 
retire, remaining an active circuit judge and a member of myriad 
committees and judicial groups. He took senior status in September 
2000. His activities have been significantly curtailed due to declining 
health. It is my hope that we can enact this bill in the 108th 
Congress, so that Judge Browning can witness this much-deserved tribute 
to his lifetime of public service.
  Judge Browning's achievements would be fittingly acknowledged by 
naming the historic federal building at Seventh and Mission streets in 
his honor. As one of his supporters said, ``A great and sturdy 
courthouse needs the name of a great and sturdy judge.'' I invite my 
colleagues to cosponsor the ``James R. Browning United States 
Courthouse'' bill.

                          ____________________