[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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