[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H1903-H1905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          JUSTIN W. WILLIAMS UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S BUILDING

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1463) to designate a portion of the Federal building located 
at 2100 Jamieson Avenue, in Alexandria, Virginia, as the ``Justin W. 
Williams United States Attorney's Building''.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1463

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. DESIGNATION.

       (a) In General.--The building and structure described in 
     subsection (b) shall be known and designated as the ``Justin 
     W. Williams United States Attorney's Building''.
       (b) Description.--The building and structure to be 
     designated under subsection (a) is that portion of the 
     Federal building located at 2100 Jamieson Avenue, in 
     Alexandria, Virginia, that is attached to the Federal 
     building's main tower structure, described as A-Wing in the 
     architectural plans, and currently occupied by the Office of 
     the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of 
     Virginia, Alexandria Division.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, 
     or other record of the United States to the building and 
     structure described in section 1(b) shall be deemed to be a 
     reference to the ``Justin W. Williams United States 
     Attorney's Building''.

     SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary for appropriate identifying designations to be 
     affixed to the building and structure described in section 
     1(b) and for an appropriate plaque reflecting the designation 
     and honoring Justin W. Williams and his service to the Nation 
     to be affixed to or displayed in such building and structure.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Honda) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster).
  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  H.R. 1463 introduced by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) 
designates a portion of the United States courthouse located at 2100 
Jamieson Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, as the Justin W. Williams 
United States Attorney's Building. The full courthouse is known as the 
Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse.
  This is the second time this matter has come before the House, having 
previously been considered during the 108th Congress when it passed by 
voice vote. As before, the bill has the bipartisan support of the 
entire Virginia delegation.
  Born in New York City in 1942, Justin Williams earned his Bachelor's 
degree from Columbia University in 1963 and his law degree from the 
University of Virginia in 1967. After graduation, Justin Williams 
embarked upon his legal career. From 1967 until 1986, he worked for the 
Department of Justice Criminal Division, served as Assistant 
Commonwealth Attorney in Arlington County, and Assistant U.S. attorney 
for the Eastern District of Virginia based in Alexandria.
  In 1986, Justin Williams was appointed chief of the Criminal Division 
and served in that capacity until his death in 2003.
  It is my honor to bring this bill to the floor, which honors a 
dedicated American who spent his entire career making America safer for 
everyone. I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do 
the same.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 1436 is a bill to designate a portion of the Alexandria 
courthouse located at 2100 Jamieson Avenue as the Justin W. Williams 
United States Attorney's Building. In the 108th Congress, an identical 
bill, H.R. 3428, was introduced but did not receive action from the 
other body.
  H.R. 1463 was introduced by my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia 
(Mr. Tom Davis), and enjoys strong bipartisan support.
  U.S. Attorney Justin Williams was an extraordinary public servant who 
served the citizens of Virginia for over 30 years. He received his 
undergraduate degree from Colombia University and his law degree from 
the University of Virginia. During his 33 years as a Federal prosecutor 
he supervised or was directly involved in every major Federal 
prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia.
  His career is filled with numerous awards and honors, including the 
Attorney General's Award for Excellence that is awarded for furthering 
the interests of national security, the Director's award for superior 
performance in years 1990, 2000, 2002, and Sustained Superior 
Performance for the years 1990, 1991, 1997, 1998 and 1999.
  In addition to being an outstanding lawyer, Justin Williams was a 
thoughtful mentor, loyal friend, outstanding role model, devoted 
husband and loving father; and it is most fitting we honor the 
distinguished career of this dedicated public servant with this 
designation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf).
  (Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1463, which 
my colleague and good friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom 
Davis), introduced to recognize the important contributions Justin W. 
Williams made to justice and freedom in our society.
  The gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Davis) is in a markup in the 
full committee and asked if I would come over to read this statement to 
represent him.
  Justice Williams was born in New York City in 1942, earned a 
Bachelor's Degree, as was said, from Columbia University in 1963 and a 
law degree from UVA in 1967.
  After law school, he worked for the Department of Justice Criminal 
Division from 1967 through 1968, then served as Assistant 
Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington County from 1968 to 1970.
  His career as a Federal prosecutor began on May 11, 1970. During the 
ensuing 33 years he was either directly involved or supervised every 
major Federal prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia; and, as 
Members know, that is one the more difficult districts in the country.
  Mr. Williams was appointed Acting United States Attorney on two 
occasions, June, 1979, to November, 1981, and January, 1986, to June, 
1986.
  He was also at various times First Assistant United States Attorney, 
Senior Litigation Counsel and, for most of his career, Chief of the 
Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the 
Eastern District of Virginia.
  As Chief of the Criminal Division, Justin Williams supervised over 
100

[[Page H1904]]

prosecutors and oversaw such high-profile trials as U.S. vs. Aldrich 
Ames, Aldrich Ames, a spy from the CIA who sold out his government; 
U.S. vs. Robert Hanssen, Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who sold out his 
government to the Soviet Union, both of whom were convicted for spying 
for the Soviet Union.
  He also led the prosecution of the Virginia Jihad Network.
  His many accomplishments, far too numerous to list, include the 
Attorney General's Award for Excellence in furthering the Interest of 
the United States National Security, Section 2002, as well as three 
Director's Awards for Superior Performance as an Assistant United 
States Attorney.
  On August 31, 2003, Mr. Williams died tragically at the age of 61 
from an apparent heart attack as he jogged along the Potomac River in 
Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, leaving his wife, Suzanne, and children 
Andrew and Caitlin.
  His untimely death marked the end of a career of a truly remarkable 
public servant who was loved and respected by all his colleagues and 
those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
  Mr. Williams was revered as a mentor and role model, and his legacy 
will serve as a testimonial to courage, conviction, fairness and 
decency.
  Madam Speaker, we owe Justin Williams and his family and all those in 
the legal field who have chosen a career in public service a debt of 
gratitude.
  I urge my colleagues to forever remember Justin Williams and keep a 
record in our mind and in our hearts as we pass by the building. And on 
behalf of the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), Chairman Davis, 
I urge the support of this and will supply the statement for the 
record.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1463, which my 
colleague and good friend Tom Davis introduced to recognize the 
important contributions Justin W. Williams made to justice and freedom 
in our society.
  Justin W. Williams was born in New York City in 1942. He earned his 
Bachelor's Degree from Columbia University in 1963 and his law degree 
from the University of Virginia in 1967. After law school, he worked 
for the Department of Justice, Criminal Division from 1967-1968, then 
served as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington County from 
1968-1970.
  Mr. Williams' career as a Federal prosecutor began on May 11, 1970. 
During the ensuing 33 years he was either directly involved in or 
supervised every major federal prosecution in the Eastern District of 
Virginia. Mr. Williams was appointed Acting United States Attorney on 
two occasions, June 1979 to November 1981 and January 1986 to June 
1986. He was also at various times First Assistant United States 
Attorney, Senior Litigation Counsel, and for most of his illustrious 
career Chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's 
Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. As Chief of the Criminal 
Division, Justin Williams supervised over 100 prosecutors, and oversaw 
such high profile trials as U.S. v. Aldrich Ames, U.S. v. Robert 
Hanssen, both of whom were convicted of spying for the Soviet Union. He 
also led the prosecution of the Virginia Jihad Network.
  His many accomplishments and awards, far too numerous to list, 
included the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Furthering the 
Interest of the United States National Security (2002), as well as 
three Directors' Awards for Superior Performance as an Assistant United 
States Attorney.
  On August 31, 2003, Mr. Williams died tragically at the age of 61 
from an apparent heart attack as he jogged along the Potomac River in 
Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, leaving his wife Suzanne and children 
Andrew and Caitlin. His untimely death marked the end of a career of a 
truly remarkable public servant who was loved and respected by all of 
his colleagues and those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Mr. 
Williams was revered as a mentor and role model and his legacy will 
serve as a testimonial to courage, conviction, fairness, and decency.
  Madam Speaker, we owe Justin Williams, and all those in the legal 
field who have chosen a career in public service a debt of gratitude. I 
urge all my colleagues to forever remember Justin Williams and to keep 
a record in our minds, and in our hearts, of the great sacrifices made 
by all men and women in the legal community who have served and 
continue to serve our great Nation.
  I thank the Virginia delegation for their support of this resolution 
and I ask all members to support H.R. 1463.
  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Moran).
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague 
from California (Mr. Honda) for yielding me this time in order to give 
some much-deserved recognition to Justin Williams.
  As our colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) has 
explained, Chairman Davis has to be in a hearing, but I know the 
chairman is very much disappointed he is not able to speak on this bill 
that he introduced.
  We want to name the Federal building on Jamieson Avenue in 
Alexandria, Virginia, just by the Federal courthouse, after Justin 
Williams because he was such an outstanding Federal prosecutor.
  He passed away August 31, 2003, while he was running along the 
Potomac River in Old Town. He had a heart attack. We lost a tremendous 
asset to the country and to the Department of Justice. Mr. Williams was 
also a wonderful friend to all who knew and worked with him.
  Justin Williams began his career as a lawyer after attending Columbia 
University. He then went to law school at the University of Virginia, 
where he graduated in 1967.
  He then moved to the Washington, DC, area and worked at the 
Department of Justice Criminal Division. In 1968, he served as the 
Commonwealth's attorney for Arlington County before going back to the 
Federal Government in 1970.
  He then became a Federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office in 
Alexandria, was named Chief of the Criminal Division and an Assistant 
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
  As a Federal prosecutor, as has been said, he was responsible for the 
prosecution of several terribly important high-profile cases, including 
Aldrich Ames, Robert Hanssen, and many cases involving terrorists after 
September 11. After the Robert Hanssen case, Mr. Williams was honored 
by Attorney General Ashcroft for his role in that prosecution.
  He has received so many awards for his accomplishments as a Federal 
prosecutor that we can't list them all here. He was named Acting U.S. 
Attorney on two separate occasions. But he will be most remembered not 
just for the accolades that he received but for the kindness that he 
showed toward those he served throughout his tenure.
  As a supervisor for more than a hundred other prosecutors, he was a 
mentor and a role model to the attorneys that were just beginning their 
careers. He had an incredible ability to remember cases, to put cases 
in context. He was always willing to share that extensive knowledge 
with his colleagues.
  He had a superb reputation with the judges he worked with and was 
known for having a very sound legal mind. Everybody remembers him for 
his sense of humor, his humility and his good judgment.
  We want to pass along our condolences to Mr. Williams' wife, Suzanne, 
his children, Andrew and Caitlin, and the other members of his extended 
family, his friends and his colleagues who feel his loss so deeply. His 
memory will not soon fade.
  His service not only to our Nation but also to the people of Virginia 
certainly justifies naming this building by the Federal courthouse in 
Alexandria the Justin W. Williams United States Attorney's Building. 
His lasting legacy will be felt by all who work in this Federal 
building and especially by those who carry the responsibility of 
working as a Federal prosecutor in the future. May they be inspired by 
Mr. Williams' commitment to excellence and service to our country.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1463, a bill 
to designate the A-Wing portion of the new United States courthouse 
located at 2100 Jamieson Ave, in Alexandria, Virginia as the ``Justin 
W. Williams United States Attorney's Building.''
  This designation honors former Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin 
Williams. Mr. Williams enjoyed a remarkable and distinguished career in 
public service. After his graduation from the University of Virginia 
Law School in 1967, he accepted a job as an attorney in the Criminal 
Division in the U.S. Department of Justice. He also served as an 
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia, and in 
1970, he accepted an appointment as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the 
Eastern District of Virginia where he served for 33 years until his 
death in August 2003.
  At various times in his career, he held the position of Acting U.S. 
Attorney, First Assistant

[[Page H1905]]

U.S. Attorney, Senior Litigation Counsel, and Chief of the Criminal 
Division for the Eastern District of Virginia. As Chief of the Criminal 
Division, to which he was appointed in 1986, Mr. Williams was involved 
in virtually all major federal prosecutions in that District and was 
responsible for many high profile cases, including U.S. v. Aldrich Ames 
and U.S. v. Robert Hanssen. In each position, he consistently displayed 
the highest levels of professionalism, serving with distinction and 
honor.
  During his long and distinguished career, Mr. Williams received a 
number of awards and honors, including the U.S. Attorney General's 
Award for Excellence in Further in the Interests of U.S. National 
Security. He was deeply admired by all his colleagues and loved by his 
family and friends, and he served as a role model and mentor for all 
worked with him in the U.S. Attorney's office.
  H.R. 1463 has strong bipartisan support from many members of the 
Virginia delegation. I also support the bill and urge its passage.
  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Shuster) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1463.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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