[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 9, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H560-H563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
JOHN M. ROLL UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE
Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (S. 188) to designate the United States courthouse under
construction at 98 West First Street, Yuma, Arizona, as the ``John M.
Roll United States Courthouse''.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 188
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. JOHN M. ROLL UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE.
(a) Designation.--The United States courthouse under
construction, as of the date of enactment of this Act, at 98
West First Street, Yuma, Arizona, shall be known and
designated as the ``John M. Roll United States Courthouse''.
(b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation,
document, paper, or other record of the United States to the
United States courthouse referred to in subsection (a) shall
be deemed to be a reference to the ``John M. Roll United
States Courthouse''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Denham) and the gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
General Leave
Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on S. 188.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, Senate bill 188 would designate the Federal courthouse
currently under construction in Yuma, Arizona, as the John M. Roll
United States Courthouse.
On January 8, our Nation suffered a horrendous tragedy. One of our
colleagues, the gentlewoman from California, Representative Giffords,
was carrying out her duties meeting with her constituents in Tucson,
Arizona, when a gunman shot 19 people, killing six. Among those killed
that day was Judge John Roll, who was simply stopping by on his way
back from attending Mass to say hi to his Congresswoman.
Judge Roll was chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the
District of Arizona and was first appointed to the Federal bench by
President George H.W. Bush in 1991.
His commitment to serving the public predated his appointment to
Federal court. For nearly 40 years, he dedicated his life to public
service and the law. Before becoming a Federal judge, Judge Roll was a
judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals, serving as presiding judge and
vice-chief judge. Earlier in his career, he was an Assistant U.S.
Attorney for the District of Arizona. He also served the citizens of
Arizona at the local level, first as a Tucson assistant attorney and
later as the deputy county attorney in Pima County. It is fitting to
honor Judge Roll in this way, given his reputation as a respected
jurist and his service to the law.
Although we are honoring the life of Judge Roll through naming a
Federal courthouse after him, we must also honor and remember the
others who were killed and wounded that tragic day. Among those killed
was one of
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Representative Giffords' staff members, a pastor, a secretary, a
homemaker, a grandmother, and a 9-year-old little girl who had just
been elected to her student council; each of them simply going that day
to meet their Congressman, never thinking their lives would be in
danger.
And in this tragedy, we must not forget the heroes, those who took
action, risking their own lives, stopping the gunman and preventing
more deaths and injuries.
Our prayers continue to be with Congresswoman Giffords, the others
who were wounded and the families of all the victims. In honoring Judge
Roll by passing this legislation, it is important that we do not forget
that all the victims that day should be honored and remembered.
I support passage of this legislation and urge my colleagues to do
the same.
I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1220
Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
S. 188 is a bill to honor the life and public service of Judge John
McCarthy Roll, who was gunned down, along with others, at a community
meeting in Tucson, Arizona.
Judge Roll graduated from the University of Arizona Law School in
1972, and he spent the next 40 years of his life dedicated to public
service. Upon graduation from law school, Judge Roll served as a
bailiff in the Pima County Superior Court and soon became Deputy County
Attorney for Pima County, where he prosecuted criminal cases until
1980.
After his service as Pima County prosecutor, Judge Roll moved to the
U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona, where he served both as a civil
attorney and criminal attorney until 1987, primarily prosecuting drug
cases for the Federal Government. Judge Roll then served as a State
court judge until he was appointed to the Federal bench by President
George H. W. Bush in 1991.
From this perch, Judge Roll earned his reputation as a giant amongst
the legal community in Arizona. Judge Roll was respected by his
colleagues and the attorneys that appeared before him as someone who
devoted his life to the rule of law and afforded all who appeared
before him a fair opportunity to present their case.
Judge Roll's 20-year service to the judiciary ended tragically on
January 8, 2011, when he was shot and killed while attending a local
event sponsored by the gentlewoman, our colleague from Arizona, Gabby
Giffords. Judge Roll attended the event in the course of his duties to
thank Congresswoman Giffords for sending a letter to the Chief Judge of
the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals requesting that he declare Judge
Roll's Federal district a judicial emergency because it was besieged
with a high number of immigration and drug cases. Judge Roll also
worked closely with Congresswoman Giffords to justify to Federal
officials the need for construction of the Yuma, Arizona, U.S.
Courthouse to adjudicate the growing backlog of these cases.
Madam Speaker, given Judge Roll's extraordinary service to his
country, it is so fitting and proper that we honor his memory by
designating that very same courthouse--the U.S. courthouse now under
construction in Yuma, Arizona--as the John M. Roll United States
Courthouse. This action today, Madam Speaker, will clear the bill for
the President and hopefully provide a small comfort to Judge Roll's
wife, Maureen, his three children and his five grandchildren, in honor
of his service.
I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting S. 188.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Quayle).
Mr. QUAYLE. I thank the gentleman from California for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 188.
I can think of no one more worthy of this honor than Judge John Roll.
Naming a Federal courthouse after Judge Roll won't make the pain of his
passing any easier for his family and close friends, but it will help
ensure that his exceptional legacy and final act of heroism will never
be forgotten. While the painful memories of the Tucson tragedy will
eventually begin to fade, there will always be a John M. Roll United
States Courthouse in Yuma.
Madam Speaker, John Roll's job was to look out for the people of
Arizona. That's what a good judge is supposed to do. And John Roll was
a great one. We've heard from friends and colleagues about how fair he
was in the courtroom and how he worked to make sure that Arizona's
judicial system--with its ever-growing caseload--was working
efficiently for the people. And it was no surprise, Madam Speaker, when
we learned that Judge Roll died while helping to save the life of
Ronald Barber, one of Congresswoman Giffords' staff members. So even at
the very end, Madam Speaker, Judge Roll was doing what he did every day
before that--looking out for the people of Arizona.
For your service to our great State and this country, Judge Roll, we
offer our deepest thanks. We will never forget you or the other good
Americans who passed away on that terrible day.
Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the
leader, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi).
Ms. PELOSI. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. I thank her and you,
Mr. Chairman, for bringing this resolution to the floor to name a
Federal courthouse in Yuma, Arizona, for John M. Roll. It will be
called the ``John M. Roll United States Courthouse.'' How appropriate.
Chief Judge Roll was a dedicated public servant, as our colleagues
have referenced, serving as a Federal judge in Arizona, a State judge,
and a prosecutor for the city, county, and at the Federal levels. Chief
Judge Roll was a proud son of Arizona, moving to Arizona as a little
boy, living there for the vast majority of his life, receiving his
undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Arizona.
Tragically, Chief Judge Roll was one of the six Americans who were
taken from us during the horrific shooting in Tucson. He died while
helping to save the life of Ron Barber, as has been mentioned, a
staffer for Congresswoman Giffords--protecting him. He had just come
from mass. I spoke to his wife, Maureen, the other day, and she said
that was his regular routine on Saturday, to go to mass in the morning.
He then went from there to see Congresswoman Gabby Giffords at Congress
on Your Corner, and you know what happened next. He was going to talk
to her about securing resources for the overwhelming court system. This
was characteristic, as he dedicated his entire life to ensuring
justice. He was known as a scholar of the law and a man of integrity.
He is an example of the public servants who are doing serious and
significant work in the judiciary every day.
We had the honor, when we went to Tucson with the President to visit
Gabby and to meet with some of the families, to also take pride in the
fact that Justice Anthony Kennedy from the Supreme Court came on the
trip, and Sandra Day O'Connor, who is from Arizona, was there that
evening as well. They were joined by other justices who served with
Judge Roll as a tribute to him personally and officially. It was
wonderful to hear the beautiful statements that they made in our
conversations about Chief Judge Roll, and they all sang the praises of
Maureen Roll.
So I hope it is a comfort to Maureen, to their three sons, and five
grandchildren that so many people are saddened by their loss. We're
praying for them at this very sad time. This courthouse will long stand
as a tribute--and an appropriate tribute--to Judge Roll.
Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Gosar).
(Mr. GOSAR asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. GOSAR. I stand here today in support of Senate Bill 188. Judge
Roll lost his life in the tragic shooting in Tucson 1 month ago, and I
believe it is a fitting tribute to honor his memory and service to our
country by designating the Yuma courthouse the John M. Roll United
States Courthouse.
Judge Roll loved his country. His service as a Federal judge and the
chief judge for the United States District Court was admirable. He
served selflessly, as he always worked to ensure that the rule of law
was upheld.
[[Page H562]]
Judge Roll loved Arizona. Attending the University of Arizona for his
undergraduate work and the University of Virginia for his law degree,
he returned to the State he loved to serve Pima County, Arizona, and
the United States.
Judge Roll's patriotism was evident in the fact that he went out to
talk with his Representative at the local Congress on Your Corner
event. His love for his country inspired him to serve and motivated him
to come and support Gabby Giffords.
Judge Roll lost his life trying to protect another. His act of
courage will always be remembered and his upstanding character will
never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family today.
The United States and Arizona has lost a distinguished public
servant, but he will always be remembered for diligence and dedication
to our Nation.
May God be with Judge Roll's family and all the victims of the
shooting in Tucson.
Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to another of our
colleagues from Arizona, Ed Pastor.
(Mr. PASTOR of Arizona asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. PASTOR of Arizona. First of all, I want to thank my colleague
from Maryland for yielding the time.
About 3 years ago, Judge Roll informed us that the courthouse in
Yuma, which is in southeastern Arizona, lacked the space because of the
increased cases dealing with the drug cases and immigration cases that
the Federal court was facing in the Yuma area.
{time} 1230
It was very interesting. At the time, the request was kind of unusual
because, in the line of things, at least in the court itinerary, the
Yuma court was not under consideration, but Judge Roll impressed on the
delegation that this was sorely needed in the Yuma area, which prompted
the Arizona delegation to work in bringing forth some moneys. I have to
tell you that, in the last appropriation bill that passed this House,
which was the omnibus bill, Chairman Jose Serrano, from New York, was
able to appropriate the moneys to have this courthouse constructed.
Also, I want to thank the leadership of the Congress, of the House of
Representatives, for bringing this bill forward. It is very appropriate
that we name this courthouse in the name of Judge Roll, who was the
presiding judge of the Arizona courts. As you have been told--and
rightfully so--he was a jurist, a scholar, and a man who had a deep
belief in God; but more than that, he was a father, a good husband, and
one who continually supported the efforts of his community.
So on behalf of the Arizonans, we thank this House for naming this
courthouse in Yuma, Arizona, in honor of Judge Roll. May he rest in
peace.
Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Flake).
Mr. FLAKE. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank the
committee for bringing this resolution forward. I rise in support of
it.
Madam Speaker, as Judge John Roll pored over the plans and designs
for a new courthouse to be built in Yuma, Arizona, I am sure his
intentions were not to cement a legacy in brick and mortar. To those
who knew him, maintaining a reputation as a fair, ethical and
intelligent jurist was legacy enough.
One Tucson attorney said, ``One of the finest compliments you could
give him was that you got a fair day in court.''
In fact, when the ability of the Arizona Federal court system to
ensure such timely care and attention in all of its proceedings came
into question by what he called a ``tsunami of felony cases,'' Judge
Roll declared a judicial emergency for the District of Arizona.
An Arizonan since childhood, a two-time graduate of the University of
Arizona and a public servant within the State for nearly 40 years,
Judge Roll was a tireless advocate. His mission would bring him to seek
the assistance of his Representative, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Eventually, their efforts helped to secure approval of the funding for
the Yuma courthouse.
With the construction of this building set to begin this July, Judge
Roll labored over the finishing touches. To him, the building
represented a means to an end to better serve the people of Arizona.
The Judge John M. Roll United States Courthouse will now represent and
commemorate Judge Roll's legacy as a selfless public servant.
Let me just say that I, along with some of my colleagues here, had
the honor to attend his funeral. I heard stories of selfless service,
of care and of what an incredible, wonderful jurist he was to represent
the United States Government--to ensure that justice was served and for
his service to the people of Arizona. There was such an outpouring of
love and support for the family and, basically, just an honoring of the
legacy of this great man. So I am glad we can do this small part to
ensure that people remember what he has done for the State and for his
country.
Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Schweikert).
Mr. SCHWEIKERT. Madam Speaker, I never met Judge Roll, but if you
were judged by the comments, the love, the number of touches I've
received just in the last 24 hours, we have a gentleman here with an
amazing history, an amazing reputation. Just walking up the stairs,
while coming here onto the floor of the House, I was on the floor with
a local attorney, named Steve Twist, who could not stop sharing
comments of the fairness and of the devotion to his faith.
The fact of the matter is Judge Roll was tough, but you were always
going to get your appropriate day in court. Therefore, I hope naming
this courthouse in Yuma that he painstakingly spent time on helping
design and get right is just the first step in a fitting tribute to a
life well lived.
Ms. EDWARDS. Madam Speaker, one of the things that we don't talk
about very often is that there are different ways that people choose to
serve. Some choose to serve in elected office. Some choose to serve in
uniform. Judge Roll chose to serve in our judiciary. It is one of those
parts of our system that Judge Roll rightly recognized as one in which
it is important to hear with fairness those who come before the court.
Every aspect of Judge Roll's service indicated, with regard to those
who appeared before him, that he operated and functioned fairly in his
courtroom. It is why he was so respected.
As we look at his 20-year service, ending so tragically just in
January of 2011, perhaps several months ago, one would not have thought
what the name of the courthouse would be under its construction in
Yuma, Arizona. Yet, today, because of Judge Roll's service and the
tragedy that met him, it seems so obvious that this courthouse should
be named for such an important public servant. Given Judge Roll's
extraordinary service to the country, it is true that, in his memory,
we will remember him as a public servant, but we will also remember the
purpose for which he served this country in our judiciary.
The John M. Roll United States Courthouse will be a place in which,
not just his wife, Maureen, and his family will be able to recognize
their memory, but will be one that other attorneys and judges and
litigants will recognize as a place of fairness, as a fair
representation of his service to this Nation.
So I do join my colleagues in supporting S. 188.
Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of
Judge John Roll, a tireless advocate for justice and a model public
servant. By designating the Federal courthouse under construction at 98
West First Street in Yuma, Arizona, as the ``John M. Roll United States
Courthouse,'' Congress has chosen to pass the legacy of a champion for
justice to many generations of Arizonans and Americans.
A native Pennsylvanian, Judge Roll moved to Arizona as a child. He
graduated from the University of Arizona with his Bachelor's Degree in
1969 and his J.D. in 1972. He began his legal career as a bailiff in
the Pima County Superior Court later that year.
Judge Roll became an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Tucson
and Deputy County Attorney for Pima County, prosecuting criminal cases
until 1980. He later joined the U.S. Attorney's Office where he led the
organized drug crimes task force, specializing in large drug cases,
from 1982 to 1986. From 1987 to 1991 he served as a judge on the State
Court of Appeals, and in 1991 also held a post on the Pima County
Superior Court.
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Judge Roll was appointed to the Federal bench in 1991 by President
George H.W. Bush and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. He served
as the chief judge of the District of Arizona from 2006 until his
tragic death on January 8, 2011. He displayed remarkable fairness and
evenhandedness in his rulings, and was often recognized by peers and
colleagues for setting aside his personal beliefs in service of the
law.
According to multiple witnesses, Judge Roll died protecting
Congresswoman Giffords' district office director, Ron Barber, who
continues his recovery. His sacrifice will never be forgotten by the
Arizona community. I believe many join me in extending heartfelt
sympathies to his widow Maureen, his three sons and his five
grandchildren.
For many years, Judge Roll pushed for the construction of a new
Federal courthouse in Yuma. He worked diligently with my office and Ms.
Giffords' office to secure the funding, which finally came through the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. His determination and
persistence were key factors, and it is fitting that the building will
bear his name.
John Roll was a great example to everyone of what a legal career can
mean to a nation and a community. His passing was a very sad day for
our State, and I can think of no greater tribute than to pass on his
name to future generations through the courthouse he fought so hard to
bring to Yuma.
Ms. EDWARDS. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Denham) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, S. 188.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. DENHAM. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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