[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3457-H3458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING JUDGE PATRICIA GIFFORD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Indiana (Mrs. Brooks) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of

[[Page H3458]]

Judge Patricia Gifford, who recently passed away, unexpectedly, just 
shy of her 80th birthday.
  She was a pillar in the Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana, 
community; a role model for so many lawyers and judges; and a dear 
friend. She will be forever remembered for inspiring women and 
redefining the role of women in the courtroom.
  She was one of only two females in her law school class. She was part 
of a team of the first women in the country appointed to prosecute only 
sex crimes cases, primarily rape cases, and she was the sixth female to 
assume the bench in Indiana.
  In 1992, Judge Gifford gained international recognition for presiding 
over the famous rape trial of former heavyweight boxing champion Mike 
Tyson. The extensive international media coverage could have easily 
turned that trial into a circus, but not under her watch. Judge Gifford 
was widely praised throughout the country for keeping order throughout 
the trial and presiding over a fair trial. Those of us who practiced in 
her court expected nothing less.
  She retired after a 30-year distinguished career on the bench. The 
people of Indiana's Fifth Congressional District, and especially those 
in Marion County, are forever grateful for Judge Gifford's many 
contributions to our Hoosier community.
  We join her family--her husband, Bob Butsch; her daughter, Jennifer 
Butsch Petit; and her family--in mourning our loss.

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