[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE HONORABLE JUDGE WALTER H. RICE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2018

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and applaud the 
Honorable Judge Walter H. Rice in conjunction with House passage of 
legislation to name the Federal Building and United States Courthouse 
in downtown Dayton, Ohio in his honor.
  Judge Rice was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from 
Northwestern University in 1958 and then attended Columbia University 
School of Law, earning a Juris Doctorate degree in 1962. Exhibiting the 
intelligence and hard work that would serve him so well throughout his 
career, Judge Rice also received a Master of Business Administration 
from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business Administration 
that same year.
  Judge Rice began his legal career in 1964 in Dayton, Ohio, as an 
Assistant County Prosecutor for Montgomery County. In 1966, he entered 
private practice, joining the law firm of Gallon & Miller. In June of 
1969, Judge Rice returned to public service as First Assistant 
Prosecuting Attorney for the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office.
  Judge Rice's distinguished judicial service commenced in November 
1969 when his fellow citizens elected him Judge of the Dayton Municipal 
Court. He held that position until 1971, when he was appointed Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas for Montgomery County. His exemplary judicial 
record and steady presence on the bench earned him re-election to the 
Court of Common Pleas in 1972 and 1978.
  Federal officials took note of Judge Rice's impressive track record 
and experience, and President Jimmy Carter appointed Judge Rice to the 
United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. After 
confirmation by the United States Senate, Judge Rice was sworn in as a 
Federal District Court judge in Dayton on June 4, 1980. During his 
tenure, Judge Rice spent seven years as Chief Judge for the Southern 
District of Ohio, leading that bench from October 13, 1996 to October 
12, 2003. He assumed senior status in 2004, maintaining a full docket.
  A recipient of numerous awards, honors, and recognitions, Judge Rice 
received the Thomas J. Moyer award for judicial excellence in 2014. 
This award recognizes a current or former Ohio state or federal judge 
who displays outstanding qualities of judicial excellence, including 
integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, 
professionalism, ethics, creativity, sound judgment, courage, and 
decisiveness. In receiving the award, Judge Rice was lauded for his 
commitment to serving the needs of the most vulnerable in our community 
and for his efforts to encourage dialogue among his fellow citizens.
  Judge Rice has been a tireless advocate for our community. He 
received the Citizen Legion of Honor Award from the Presidents Club of 
Dayton in recognition of his efforts as a champion of peace, inclusion, 
and civil rights. His volunteer efforts have included service with 
Wright Dunbar Inc., Inventing Flight, Aviation Heritage Foundation, 
American Veterans' Heritage Center, and the Montgomery County Ex-
Offender Reentry Policy Board. He was a founding member of the 
Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Project and Dayton's Dialogue on 
Race Relations. He taught for many years at the University of Dayton 
School of Law and Wright State University, and received an Honorary 
Doctor of Laws Degree from the University of Dayton in 1991 and an 
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Wright State University 
in 2000.
  It is only fitting that the chambers in which Judge Rice continues 
his long service to the Dayton community, the state of Ohio, and the 
American public at large as a Senior Judge for the United States 
District Court for the Southern District of Ohio should be in a 
building that bears his name. I thank Judge Rice, for his numerous 
contributions to the greater Dayton community and congratulations on 
this well-deserved honor.

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