[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 19 (Friday, February 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF 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, February 17, 2005

  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, New Mexico, after Judge Santiago Campos. I am pleased to 
be joined in introducing this legislation by my colleagues Mr. Serrano, 
Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Menendez, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Gonzales, 
and Ms. Linda Sanchez.
  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 United States 
District Court Judge, as he also served in the United States 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.
  During the 107th 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. During the 108th Congress we were unable to 
move this bill, but I am hopeful that this year will be the year to get 
this legislation signed into law to honor this great man with a small 
token of appreciation for the remarkable life that he lived.

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