[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 193 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 HONORING CONGRESSMAN JUDGE TED POE OF THE U.S. CONGRESSIONAL VICTIMS' 
            RIGHTS CAUCUS UPON HIS RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2018

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great Texas public 
servant, fellow founder of the Victims' Rights Caucus, and dear friend 
Congressman Judge Ted Poe, who is retiring from the U.S. House of 
Representatives at the end of the 115th Congress.
  Since 2005, Congressman Poe has served with distinction as a Member 
of Congress, providing excellent and compassionate service to his 
constituents in the 2nd Congressional District of Texas and the 
American people. For more than a decade, I have had the privilege of 
serving with him on the Victims' Rights Caucus, which has given a voice 
to crime victims, survivors, and the professionals who assist them. As 
a founder and co-chair of the caucus, Congressman Poe played a crucial 
role in enhancing Federal programs that support national, Federal, 
Tribal, state, and local victims' services, including the Victims of 
Crime Act, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Victims of Child 
Abuse Act. Over the years, he has distinguished himself as a national 
bipartisan leader in the fight to combat human trafficking and support 
victims and survivors, sponsoring enacted legislation such as the 
Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. In addition to the Victims' 
Rights Caucus, I also had the pleasure of serving with Congressman Poe 
on the Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue to strengthen and enhance 
the level of political discourse between American and European 
lawmakers.
  Prior to working in Congress, Representative Poe served in the United 
States Air Force Reserves, taught both high school and college courses, 
and received his law degree from the University of Houston. He first 
made his mark in the public eye during his eight years as an undefeated 
criminal prosecutor for Harris County and later became one of the 
youngest judges ever appointed in Texas. During his 22-year tenure on 
the bench, it became clear that he would play a prominent role in the 
victims' rights movement. Congressman Poe handed out innovative, 
unorthodox, and appropriate punishments intended to continually remind 
criminals of their offenses. As a judge, he became an example for 
others who served in the Texas judiciary for the way he treated victims 
of crime with dignity, fairness, and respect.
  Ted is admired by his peers and loved by his constituents--a 
reflection of a life spent in service to the United States, its people, 
and its ideals. During his time in Congress, he gave a voice to victims 
of crime, including human trafficking, and championed legislation to 
improve our criminal justice system. His remarkable impact on both his 
community and colleagues will not be forgotten. We will honor his great 
legacy in the U.S. House of Representatives and beyond, by continuing 
to build upon this commitment to his country. I would like to 
congratulate Congressman Judge Ted Poe on his extraordinary career and 
extend my gratitude for his noteworthy contributions to our nation. 
While Congressman Judge Ted Poe will be missed in these halls, I wish 
him a blessed future in his well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________