[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 72 (Monday, May 9, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S2615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. JAMES RICHARDSON

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the career of Dr. 
James ``Jim'' Richardson, who is retiring from the University of 
Nevada, Reno, UNR, this year.
  Dr. Richardson is stepping down from his positions as director of 
judicial studies and foundation professor of sociology and judicial 
studies after 48 years of service to UNR. His commitment and dedication 
to the judicial studies and justice management programs have been 
invaluable in preparing students for careers in the justice system. Dr. 
Richardson has enriched the lives of hundreds of students, including 
the many undergraduate students he introduced to the field of sociology 
and the doctoral candidates he mentored as they completed their 
dissertations.
  In addition to his teaching activities, Dr. Richardson has been a 
prolific researcher and writer. He was among the first researchers to 
focus on new religious movements. He has been praised for his 
interdisciplinary approach to sociology, particularly for his 
incorporation of subjects such as law, psychology, and economics into 
the study of religion. Dr. Richardson has authored or coauthored 9 
books, more than 150 articles, and 85 book chapters. In addition, he 
has held nearly 350 presentations in almost 30 countries. Through his 
work, Dr. Richardson has made important contributions to the 
scholarship of sociology and has enriched academia as a whole.
  Dr. Richardson has had an impact on the practice of law and the 
justice system in more direct settings as well. For instance, he has 
served as an expert witness on a variety of legal cases. He has also 
been a consultant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and has 
worked to help law enforcement officials better understand the 
interaction between the justice system and religious groups. In 
addition, Dr. Richardson has researched several issues for the Nevada 
Supreme Court.
  I congratulate Dr. Richardson on his many successes and decades of 
dedicated service to UNR and to the Silver State. Both the justice 
system and academia have benefitted from his work, and I wish him the 
best in his retirement and future endeavors.

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