[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 103 (Thursday, July 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING FEDERAL JUDGE WILLIAM STEGER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2004

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, it is a distinct privilege to pay tribute to 
an outstanding member of the Judiciary and longtime U.S. District Judge 
for the Eastern District of Texas, Judge William Steger, who recently 
received the Justinian Award during Law Day festivities in Tyler. Judge 
Steger has served as a U.S. District Judge in East Texas for more than 
thirty years, culminating a career dedicated to the highest principles 
of ethics and justice in the profession of law.
  Nominated by President Richard Nixon, Judge Steger began his 
judgeship on December 29, 1970, in the Eastern District of Texas, 
presiding in Beaumont and also holding court in Paris, Texarkana, 
Sherman and Marshall. He moved to the Tyler Federal courthouse, where 
he currently presides, in September 1978. He assumed Senior Active 
Status duty as U.S. District Judge on December 31, 1987, and since that 
time has closed approximately 6,500 cases.
  Among his noteworthy rulings, Judge Steger in 1975 ruled that a 
private hospital, although receiving State and Federal support, was not 
prohibited from establishing policies denying use of its facilities for 
elective abortions. In 1980 he presided over one of the first cases 
applying the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 
resulting in conviction of numerous county officials for offenses 
ranging from solicitation of murder to facilitation of gambling 
activity. Other cases resulted in convictions for illegal narcotics 
transactions--one of which resulted in the government seizing 
properties that were later auctioned for over $10,000,000 and deposited 
in the U.S. Treasury.
  A 1950 graduate of Southern Methodist University Law School, Judge 
Steger engaged in the private practice of law in Longview from 1951 to 
1953. In 1953 he was appointed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower as 
U.S. District Attorney in East Texas and remained in the post until 
1959 when he resigned to enter private practice in Tyler. He was a 
partner in the firm of Wilson, Miller, Spivey and Steger from 1959 to 
1970, until his appointment as U.S. District Judge.
  From 1952 to 1970 Judge Steger was an active member of the Republican 
Party of Texas. In 1960 he was the Republican candidate for governor, 
and in 1962 he was the Republican nominee for U.S. Representative in 
the Third Congressional District, receiving 48 percent of the vote. He 
served as State Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas from 1969 to 
1970.
  Judge Steger was born in 1920 and attended public schools in Dallas. 
He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1938 and attended 
Baylor University from 1938 to 1941, when his pre-law studies were 
interrupted by World War II. Less than 24 hours after Pearl Harbor was 
attacked, Judge Steger withdrew from Baylor University and volunteered 
for service. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on January 5, 1942, 
as cadet and received his Pilot Wings and Commission as 2nd Lieutenant 
on November 9, 1942. He flew 56 combat missions as a fighter pilot in 
Tunisia, Sicily and Italy and attained the rank of Captain. After being 
honorably discharged, he entered SMU Law School in 1948 and received 
his LLB Degree in 1950.

  Judge Steger is married to his wonderful wife of 56 years, Ann 
Hollandsworth Steger. They had one child, Merritt Reed Steger, who 
passed away as a young man. Judge and Mrs. Steger have been active 
members of their community. ``Through his efforts, he's made a 
significant contribution to all aspects of life in Smith County and the 
State of Texas,'' said U.S. District Judge T. John Ward in presenting 
the Justinian Award to Judge Steger.
  I also want to commend the Smith County Bar Association, the Smith 
County Bar Foundation, the Smith County Lawyer's Auxiliary, the Smith 
County Young Lawyers Association, the Tyler Area Association of Legal 
Professionals and Tyler Teen Court, Inc., who in conjunction with the 
American Bar Association, sponsor Law Day each year to honor local 
attorneys and civic leaders as well as students who participate in Teen 
Court and an essay and poster contest.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege to celebrate the life of this esteemed 
jurist and outstanding American who answered the call to service in 
World War II, serving with distinction in that endeavor, then dedicated 
his life to serving the cause of justice and defending the principles 
upon which this Nation was founded. I ask my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives to join me in paying tribute today to U.S. District 
Judge William Steger and to express our sincere appreciation for his 
service to his community, the State of Texas, and our Nation.

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