[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 31 (Monday, February 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO HON. BETTY J. LESTER, J.S.C.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 23, 2009

  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of 
Representatives to join me as I rise to recognize the Honorable Betty 
J. Lester for her many years of service to the community and to 
congratulate her upon her historic retirement from the Essex County 
Superior Court bench. I would like to express my personal thanks and 
voice the gratitude of the many people for whom she has paved the path 
and set standards of excellence.
  Judge Lester holds the distinction of being the first African 
American female judge in Essex County and the second African American 
female judge to be appointed to the superior court bench in New Jersey. 
As a trailblazing woman of color, Judge Lester has built a great legacy 
in her 32 years of service to the city of Newark, Essex County, and the 
State of New Jersey.
  Judge Lester has served on many committees of the Supreme Court 
including the Committee to Study New Jersey Bar Admission, the 
Committee on Municipal Courts, the Task Force on Women in the Courts, 
the Task Force on Municipal Improvement, and the Task Force on Minority 
Concerns. She has been a member of the New Jersey State Bar 
Association, the Essex County Bar Association, and the National 
Association of Women Judges. On the national level, Judge Lester was 
appointed as a commissioner for the Commission on Accreditation of Law 
Enforcement Agencies.
  Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues agree that Judge Lester is an 
excellent role model for women and minorities in the law profession. 
She will leave a lasting impact on those who were fortunate enough to 
benefit from her guidance. I am pleased to join all those in attendance 
in wishing her a wonderful retirement.

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