[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 147 (Wednesday, October 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN HONOR OF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RICHARD A. SCHELL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 16, 2013

  Mr. HALL. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 25th year that United 
States District Judge Richard A. Schell has served with distinction on 
the Federal bench of the Eastern District of Texas. It is a privilege 
to recognize and pay tribute to him, along with members of the Eastern 
District of Texas Bar Association who will honor him at their 17th 
Annual Eastern District Bench Bar Conference October 30, November 1 in 
Plano, Texas.
  Judge Schell was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on April 13, 
1988, to a seat vacated by the late Judge William M. Steger. He was 
confirmed by the Senate on May 27, 1988, and received his commission on 
June 6, 1988. Judge Schell served as Chief Judge of the Eastern 
District from 1994 2001 and also served on the U.S. Judicial Conference 
Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules as well as the Board of the 
Federal Judges Association. During his tenure as Chief Judge he also 
supported the effort to create the Eastern District of Texas Bar 
Association, which today is recognized as one of the preeminent Federal 
bar associations in the United States.
  A native Texan, Judge Schell was raised in a family whose community 
involvement in Plano, Texas, stretches back over 130 years. His 
maternal great-grandfather served as mayor of Plano, and his paternal 
grandfather was the longest serving mayor in the City's history, 
serving more than 16 years. His father was the longest appointed 
official in Piano's history, serving as its representative on the North 
Texas Municipal Water District for 45 years.
  Judge Schell received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern 
Methodist University in 1972 and his Juris Doctorate from SMU's School 
of Law in 1975. He served as an instructor at the Law School from 1975-
1976, then became Assistant District Attorney for Collin County in 
1976. He practiced law in the private sector in McKinney from 1977-
1982, then returned to public service as Judge, Collin County Court-at-
Law, from 1982-1986. From 1986-1988 he presided as Judge of Collin 
County's 219th District Court before assuming the bench as U.S. 
District Judge. Since 2010 he also has served as a Visiting Professor 
at SMU's Dedman School of Law, which awarded him the Distinguished 
Alumni Award for Judicial Service in 2005. His law clerks and staff 
have established a programmatic endowment at the law school in his 
honor.
  During his tenure on the bench, Judge Schell presided over the 
Norplant MDL, several complex civil matters and a number of 
environmental issues. He is currently responsible for the continued 
oversight and enforcement of a consent decree that resolved a class 
action between the State of Texas and children who receive Medicaid 
benefits. As Resident Judge in Plano with a higher-than-average docket, 
Judge Schell spent 683 hours in the courtroom in the past year alone. 
This is 247 percent above the circuit median and 243 percent above the 
circuit average. Judge Schell is universally recognized for his 
excellent judicial temperament, work ethic, integrity, and fairness.
  Judge Schell has the support of a wonderful family--his wife, Janice, 
and sons Christopher and Ben. Christopher serves as the Legislative 
Director in my Washington, DC office, while attending law school in the 
evening at American University. Ben previously worked on the Space 
Subcommittee of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology during 
my tenure as Chairman.
  Mr. Speaker, our Nation is fortunate to have a Judge with as much 
integrity and commitment to justice as Judge Schell possesses. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this outstanding American 
and esteemed United States District Judge, Richard A. Schell, for his 
25 years of distinguished service on behalf of our Nation.

                          ____________________