[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 79 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S6667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     REYNALDO G. GARZA AND FILEMON B. VELA UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE

  The bill (H.R. 483) to designate a United States courthouse in 
Brownsville, TX, as the ``Reynaldo G. Garza and Filemon B. Vela United 
States Courthouse,'' was considered, read the third time, and passed.
  Mr. LEAHY. I am pleased that the Senate today has taken action on 
H.R. 483, a bill that designates a courthouse in Brownsville, TX, as 
the ``Reynaldo G. Garza and Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse'' 
in honor of these two judges, including the first Mexican-American 
named to a Federal judge. Unfortunately, the Senate has repeatedly 
delayed action on this bill. Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz first 
introduced a similar bill honoring these judges in 1998. It is now 7 
years later and months after both these Judges' deaths in 2004.
  Both this Congress and last, I have introduced a companion bill with 
Congresswoman Norton that designates the new annex to the E. Barrett 
Prettyman United States Courthouse in Washington, DC, the ``William B. 
Bryant Annex.'' This historic figure should be honored, and that honor 
should occur during his lifetime. Regrettably, the Senate has yet to 
act on this bill, S. 478, which I introduced on March 1, 2005.
  In order to prevent repeating the regrettable timing of the Judge 
Garza and Vela Courthouse naming, I urge that the Senate move ahead on 
this worthy commendation of Judge Bryant's lifetime of public service.
  Judge Bryant continues to perform his duties as a senior Federal 
judge at the age of 93. His commitment to ending racial segregation and 
his belief in public service and the law has carried him through a 
historic career. He was the first African-American Chief Judge for the 
United States District Court in DC. The current Chief Judge Thomas F. 
Hogan and all of Judge Bryant's fellow judges recognize his truly 
remarkable lifetime achievements and have unanimously requested naming 
the newly constructed annex in his honor.
  Naming the new annex to the E. Barret Prettyman Courthouse after 
Judge Bryant is long overdue. I urge the Senate to take this action 
without further delay and allow Judge Bryant the commendation he 
deserves.

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