[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING THOMAS EATON STAGG, JR.

  Mr. CASSIDY. Mr. President, I rise in support of designating the 
Shreveport Federal Building as the ``Tom Stagg Federal Building and 
United States Courthouse.'' The Honorable Thomas or ``Tom'' Eaton 
Stagg, Jr., of Shreveport passed away last June. He was an 
inspirational figure.
  He graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport and joined the U.S. 
Army preparing for World War II. He rose to the rank of captain, 
earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, a Bronze Star for valor, another 
Bronze Star for meritorious service, the Purple Heart with oak leaf 
cluster.
  At one point, he was saved from death when a German bullet was 
stopped by a Bible he carried in his pocket. It was as if he was fated 
to live. After World War II, Tom attended Cambridge and then LSU Law 
Center and then served in private practice.
  Tom's reputation was described as a combination of ``intelligence, 
spirit, patriotism, wisdom and wit'' and resulted in his nomination to 
serve on the Federal bench for the Western District of Louisiana in 
1974. He was named chief judge in 1984, a position he held until 1991. 
Many testimonials, one of which a close colleague said of Judge Stagg:

       Without a doubt he was the finest trial judge I have ever 
     met. Without ever knowing it, he had served as my silent 
     mentor, a role model. . . . To have served the job with Judge 
     Tom Staff on the federal bench for 12 years is a singular 
     honor. A giant has fallen . . . this remarkable man left a 
     legacy of love of family, of duty and honor and love of this 
     nation, its judicial system and the rule of law.

  The colleague continues:

       Tom Stagg loved being a federal judge. We will all miss 
     him.

  Judge Stagg assumed senior status on the court in 1992, but he didn't 
retire. He maintained a full caseload, serving on Federal circuit 
courts of appeals panels. Judge Stagg loved being a judge, but his love 
for the job also came second after his love for his family. Judge Stagg 
married the former Mary Margaret O'Brien in 1946 and is survived by her 
and their two grandchildren, Julie and Margaret Mary.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________