[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E25]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO PHILLIP S. FIGA UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 16, 2008

  Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker. I rise to honor the extraordinary life 
and exceptional accomplishments of United States District Court Judge 
Phillip S. Figa. This exceptional jurist merits both our recognition 
and esteem as his impressive record of civic leadership and invaluable 
service has improved the lives of many Coloradoans.
  Sadly, Judge Figa was taken from us by a brain tumor at the young age 
of 56 and he will be greatly missed. His passion for the law and 
justice and his capacity for community service were beyond measure. He 
molded a life of genuine accomplishment and served our Nation with 
distinction. His passing is a great loss to the Federal bench and our 
entire community.
  Judge Figa was born in 1951 in Skokie, Illinois, the son of Holocaust 
survivors from Poland. He earned a scholarship to Northwestern 
University and graduated with a degree in economics. While at 
Northwestern, he met and married Candace Cole Figa. He went on to 
graduate from Cornell Law School and started his law practice in 
Colorado at Sherman & Howard in 1976. Four years later, Judge Figa 
became a founding partner of Burns, Figa & Will, P.C. and became the 
firm's President. For over 26 years, Judge Figa maintained a broad 
litigation-oriented practice and established a national reputation as 
an expert in the field of legal ethics. He was actively involved in the 
Colorado legal community and served as President of the Colorado Bar 
Association and as Chair of the Ethics Committee. He served on the 
Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Committee and on the Colorado 
Commission on Judicial Discipline. He served as an instructor at the 
University of Denver College of Law and the National Institute of Trial 
Advocacy. Judge Figa was also one of the founding members of the 
Faculty of Federal Advocates and is credited with the development of 
the very successful Pro Bono Mentoring Program. As a former Chair of 
the Mountain States Region of the Anti-Defamation League. Judge Figa 
was deeply committed to fighting bigotry, extremism, anti-Semitism and 
supporting Holocaust awareness.
  President Bush nominated Judge Figa to the United States District 
Court and he was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 2, 
2003. During the confirmation process, Senators of both parties viewed 
him as highly intelligent and a fair prospective jurist. Many friends, 
family and associates have praised Judge Figa as ``even handed'' . . . 
``smart, caring and authentic'' . . . ``a great jurist'' ``a true 
humanitarian'' . . .``one who brought passion and integrity to the 
field of law ``. . . a humble and gracious man who genuinely cared 
about helping other people.'' I was honored to give the highest 
recommendation to the Senate Judiciary Committee. On a personal note, 
Judge Figa was a good friend of both me and my husband. He was loved 
and respected across the legal community. Judge Figa was a mensch--an 
upright, honorable and decent human being.
  Judge Figa has been recognized with several accolades and honors 
including nomination to the International Society of Barristers, the 
American Bar Foundation and the Colorado Bar Foundation. He was honored 
by the Colorado Supreme Court for ``outstanding leadership of the 
Coalition for the Independence of the Colorado Judiciary'' and in 
January of 2006, he was named one of the Leading Judges in America by 
The Lawdragon. On February 4, 2008, the Anti-Defamation League will 
present the late Judge Figa with the Distinguished Community Service 
Award ``for his commitment to human rights and dignity, and his 
dedicated service to his community, state and nation.'' Judge Figa 
lived a life that is rich in consequence and our country is a better 
place because of his labors. Truly. we are all diminished by the all 
too early passing of this remarkable gentleman and our thoughts are 
with Candace Figa and their two children, Ben and Elizabeth. Please 
join me in paying tribute to the life of United States District Court 
Judge Phillip S. Figa, a distinguished jurist. It is the values, 
leadership and dedication he exhibited during his life that serves to 
build a better future for all of us.

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