[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 4, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        RETIREMENT OF JUDGE BARZ

 Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to honor a good friend 
of mine, Judge Diane Barz, who is retiring from her successful career 
as a Yellowstone County District Court Judge.
  Judge Barz is a remarkable woman who has enjoyed a distinguished and 
wonderful career as a member of the Montana Bar. Judge Braz' career is 
notably one of ``firsts.'' She was the only woman in her University of 
Montana Law Class of 1968, was the first female law clerk to the 
Montana Supreme Court, started the first ``female'' law firm with her 
colleague Doris Poplar in 1973, was the first woman district court 
judge, and youngest, and the first female attorney appointed to the 
bench of the Montana Supreme Court.
  Judge Barz has not only been an exemplary attorney and member of the 
bench, she has been a role model for women and champion for children. 
Anyone who has worked with Judge Braz knows that what ever she does, 
she does it with a leading role. Judge Barz has been instrumental in 
the development of your court in Montana as we know it today. She 
doesn't just sit back--she gets the job done! As a member of the bench, 
she has been gentle and compassionate with children and families when 
the circumstances required it, but she could be as tough as nails when 
justice demanded it. Most importantly, Judge Braz always aspired to do 
what was right for the children and families of Montana. We have all 
been well served by her.

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