[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING JUDGE RICHARD A. BENNETT OF NAPA, CALIFORNIA

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor Judge Richard A. Bennett as he retires after serving 20 years 
on the courts of Napa County, California.
  Judge Bennett's extraordinary judicial leadership both on and off the 
bench not only improved the lives of thousands of Napa Valley residents 
and families, it saved many of them. Whether it was in small claims, 
family court, felony trials or his landmark efforts within Napa's Adult 
Drug Court, he had a gift of focusing on the human element that 
connects all of us. No one understood better than Judge Bennett the 
forces that can break families and communities apart as well as the 
common bonds that can be used to repair both.
  It was this understanding of how important our bonds are to each 
other and to our community that enabled Judge Bennett to amass a 
remarkable record of reaching far more agreements than impasses in his 
court. And Mr. Speaker, it is this understanding that is unfortunately 
all too rare on our national stage today.
  At a time when our political discourse has devolved to a level of 
partisan stagnation, our national leaders can learn a great deal from 
Judge Bennett and the community he has so proudly and effectively 
served over these past 20 years. He has built a foundation of 
cooperation, integrity and compassion that will continue to benefit 
many generations of Napa Valley residents long after his robe is 
retired.
  Richard Bennett was born in Virginia and moved to my hometown of St. 
Helena at age 14 with his parents Larry and Doda. A graduate of the 
distinguished University of California Hastings College of Law, he 
practiced family law before being appointed to the Napa County 
Municipal Court by Governor George Deukmejian in 1985. He later became 
the first Presiding Judge of the Consolidated Municipal and Superior 
Courts for Napa County in 1993.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, because of the many contributions Judge 
Bennett has made to our community and nation, it is fitting and 
appropriate that we honor him today as he retires from the Superior 
Court of Napa County and extend our best wishes to him and his family. 
Though he may be leaving the bench, I am confident that he will 
continue to provide leadership in Napa County for many years to come.

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