[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 169 (Saturday, December 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNITION FOR RETIRING ASSOCIATE CIRCUIT JUDGE MICHAEL L. MIDYETT, 
                       CHARITON COUNTY, MISSOURI

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 17, 2010

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of Missouri's Fifth 
Congressional District, to take this opportunity to recognize the 
Honorable Michael L. Midyett, Associate Judge, Chariton County, 
Missouri. I would like to thank him for his service to his community 
and to congratulate him upon his upcoming retirement from the bench. I 
am so pleased Judge Midyett's community is honoring him by recognizing 
his many years of service on the bench, but especially for his 
dedication to and caring about the citizens of his community. Only a 
special person would provide the years of judicial and legal service 
Judge Midyett has provided through his 21 years of service as the 
second longest serving Associate Circuit Judge of Chariton county; for 
over 29 years as an elected official serving the State of Missouri in 
the Judicial System first as a Prosecuting attorney then as a Judge. 
Including his years as a practicing attorney, Judge Midyett has served 
the citizens of Missouri for 39 years in the Judicial system.
  It is my understanding that Judge Midyett is best known for his 
penchant for jury trials and for being hard but fair on criminals. 
During his tenure as a Chariton County Prosecuting Attorney, Judge 
Midyett had at least one jury trial each month. For a rural county with 
a small population, that is a fair amount which proves justice is being 
served. He believes that all citizens should uphold the law and that no 
one is above the law. The citizens of Chariton County have known him to 
be extremely fair and honest. He has upheld the law through his 
knowledge of the law and his years of experience. Through Judge 
Midyett's example, others are reminded that Chariton County can only 
thrive within a strong and just community.
  Judge Midyett is a well respected judge in his community. Judge 
Midyett upholds the traditions and honors of the Judicial Branch of 
Missouri government. His accomplishments include: Appointments by the 
Missouri Supreme Court for the Civil Rules Committee; the Judicial 
Weighted Workload Steering Committee 2006-2008; Board of Directors of 
the Missouri associate Probate Associate Circuit Judges 2005-2009; 
former President of the 9th Circuit Bar; past member of Missouri 
Prosecuting Attorney Associations; past member of National District 
Attorneys' Association; Associate of Trial Lawyers of America; 
Association of Lawyers for Pilots Association; City Attorney for 
Keytesville 1974-1985.
  Service to the Keytesville community is a hallmark of Judge Midyett's 
character. His friends and colleagues honoring him are but a few of the 
organizations that have grown from his leadership. The Judge has been 
extremely active in local and civic activities including: Board of 
Directors of Keytesville Lions Club; former President of Keytesville 
Lions Club; former President of Keytesville Chamber of Commerce; member 
of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Salisbury; philosophically and in real 
terms, Judge Midyett is a proud member of the Chariton County 
Democratic party.
  Foremost among the Judge's many accomplishments has been his recent 
work obtaining pictures of former Chariton County judges for the 
Courthouse. Judge Midyett has searched extensively for pictures of the 
past judges and done an amazing amount of research on the lives of 
these judges and the times they lived in. What a wonderful legacy to 
leave your community. Your personal commitment to the legal and 
judicial system in Keytesville and Chariton County serves as a model 
for what it means to give back to our communities.
  Madam Speaker, once again, I want to share my sincerest 
congratulations to Judge Midyett as he receives our well deserved 
recognition. I wish the Judge the best in the years to come.

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