[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 167 (Tuesday, November 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING JUDGE GORDON BARANCO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 22, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary 
career of Judge Gordon Baranco. I would like to congratulate him on his 
retirement and thank him for his invaluable service to our community.
  Born and raised in Oakland, California, Gordon graduated from Oakland 
High School in 1965. Gordon would become a star basketball player at 
the University of California, Davis, where he led the Aggies to win 
three league championships.
  Gordon's time spent at UC Davis would coincide with the Vietnam War 
and the Civil Rights Movement. This time in Gordon's life was critical 
to his academic and civic development, opening his eyes to injustices 
here in the United States and abroad.
  In 1969, Gordon graduated from UC Davis with a bachelor's degree in 
political science. Inspired by the idea that the law could be a vehicle 
to change society, he went on to enroll in law school. He graduated 
from the King School of Law at UC Davis in 1972.
  As an attorney, Gordon practiced as a Graduate Legal Assistant in the 
office of the California State Attorney General; a Deputy District 
Attorney in the office of the San Francisco District Attorney; as 
managing Attorney for the San Francisco Neighborhood Legal Assistance 
Foundation, and Assistant to the City Attorney in Oakland.
  At the young age of 32 he was made the Honorable Gordon Baranco, 
appointed to the Oakland Piedmont Emeryville Municipal Court by 
Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. After serving as presiding judge of the 
court, he was appointed by Governor George Deukmejian as a judge of the 
Alameda County Superior Court.
  In 2004, Judge Baranco was instrumental in establishing the Alameda 
County Homeless and Caring Court, which provides a much needed 
alternative to the traditional criminal justice court system for the 
homeless.
  On a personal note, Judge Baranco worked with me and helped lead our 
record remedy and expungement conferences for several years. Because of 
his boldness and commitment, many returning citizens have been able to 
move forward with their lives without the troubles of their past once 
their parole is completed. For this, I, along with so many others, am 
deeply grateful.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, Judge Gordon Baranco, salute you. I thank you for a lifetime 
of service and congratulate you on your achievements. I wish you and 
your loved ones the very best as you enjoy your well-deserved 
retirement.

                          ____________________