[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JUDGE MARY ANN GUNN

 Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Judge 
Mary Ann Gunn for her personal commitment and innovative approach to 
public service in northwest Arkansas. Judge Gunn, who serves on the 
Washington County Circuit Court, received the 2009 FBI Director's 
Community Leadership Award.
  The award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was 
established in 1990 to recognize individuals and organizations for 
their efforts in combating terrorism, drugs, and violence in America. 
In addition to her duties as a circuit judge, Judge Gunn voluntarily 
serves as a judge for the Washington and Madison County Drug Court, in 
Arkansas. Since 2000, the drug court has accepted first-time, 
nonviolent drug offenders into a nine month program of intensive 
counseling and close supervision. When offenders successfully complete 
the program, their criminal records are cleared of the drug offense.
  Judge Gunn's courtroom is one of the most successful in the nation. 
Her drug court is regularly televised in Washington and Madison 
Counties, and is an excellent example of how the community, the courts, 
and law enforcement work together to reduce crime. In addition, she has 
held drug court sessions in school gymnasiums to show students just 
where drug use can lead. According to the FBI, Judge Gunn manages ``one 
of the most effective public services available in Northwest 
Arkansas.''
  We congratulate Judge Mary Ann Gunn on her personal accomplishment, 
and we thank her for her commitment to reducing crime and protecting 
citizens of Arkansas.

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