[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E133]]
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

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Judge 
Santiago Campos by reintroducing legislation to name the Federal 
courthouse in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after him. We are approaching the 
sixth anniversary of his passing, which occurred on January 20, 2001, 
and naming this courthouse after the first Hispanic appointed to the 
Federal bench in New Mexico is a long overdue tribute. I am again 
pleased to be joined in introducing this legislation by Representatives 
Gonzalez, Grijalva, McDermott, Green, and Pastor. They have all 
cosponsored in the past and I thank them for cosponsoring again.
  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.
  Madam Speaker, 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. Judge 
Campos had his chambers in this 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 once again take 
up this effort.
  I am hopeful this will be the year to get this legislation passed and 
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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