[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 91 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E854-E855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF SENIOR JUDGE WILLIAM STAFFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 2015

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Judge William 
Stafford for his 40 years as a federal judge on the bench of the United 
States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. Since 
receiving his appointment by President Gerald Ford on May 30, 1975, 
Judge Stafford has worked tirelessly to uphold our Constitution, and 
his service is a true testament to his patriotism and commitment to 
justice.
   Judge Stafford's service to our Nation began many years prior to his 
appointment as a federal judge, when, as a recent law school graduate, 
he joined the United States Navy, serving with honor and distinction 
until 1960. After nearly a decade in private practice, Judge Stafford 
served as a United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida 
from 1969 until he received his appointment to serve as a federal 
judge.
   During his time on the bench, Judge Stafford has served in numerous 
important positions, including more than 10 years as Chief Judge of the 
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and 
nearly 20 years as Senior Judge. In addition, he also served for 7 
years as a judge on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, which 
helps ensure that our Nation remains safe from those who seek to do us 
harm.
   As a result of his excellence on the bench, Judge Stafford has 
received numerous professional appointments and awards. He served 
nearly a decade on the Committees of Judicial Conference of the United 
States, a position appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, 
in addition to myriad committee assignments with the Florida Bar, and a 
term as President of the District Judges Association of the Eleventh 
Circuit. Judge Stafford has also received recognitions including the 
Temple Law Alumni Achievement Award and the American Bar Association's 
Law Day USA National Speech Award, and his commitment to the legal 
profession saw him help found the American Inns of Court's Tallahassee 
Inn, which was renamed the William H. Stafford American Inn of Court in 
his honor.
   Judge Stafford's commitment to service and dedication to his 
community extend far beyond his judicial service, and he has served 
both St. John's Episcopal Church in Tallahassee and Christ Church in 
Pensacola, in addition to service in the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and 
the Dioceses of Florida and of the Central Gulf Coast. As a leader in 
civic society, Judge Stafford is a longtime Rotary Club member, having 
served as President of the Tallahassee Rotary Club and received awards 
such as the Frederick Clifton Moor Award; served as President of the 
Tallahassee YMCA; and served on numerous Boards, including the Friends 
of Leon County Library Board, Sacred Heart Hospital of Pensacola's 
Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors of the Pensacola 
Symphony. He is also a longtime member of fraternal organizations and 
has received both the Grand Cross of Honour from the Scottish Rite and 
was named Grand Orator.

[[Page E855]]

   Our Constitutional system of government enshrined checks and 
balances and three coequal but separate branches of government, and in 
order to uphold our Constitution, it is vital that we have honorable 
public servants like Judge Stafford willing to dedicate their 
professional careers to service in the judicial branch. On behalf of 
the House of Representatives, I am privileged to recognize Judge 
Stafford's 40 years on the federal bench, and my wife Vicki and I send 
our best wishes for many more years to Judge Stafford; his wife, Nancy; 
sons William III, Donald and David; six grandchildren; and the entire 
Stafford family.

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