[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING JUDGE ROMONDA D. BELCHER AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Judge Romonda D. Belcher, a 
District Associate Judge at the Polk County Justice Center in Des 
Moines, Iowa as the Iowan of the Week. Judge Belcher is the first 
African American female judge to serve in the state of Iowa. She was 
appointed to the bench on August 20, 2010 and serves our community with 
distinction.
  Like many young girls across this country, she set her goals high at 
a young age. She grew up in North Carolina and moved to Iowa to 
attempted Drake Law School. Before she was selected to be a judge, she 
worked in the Polk County Attorney's Office for 15 years, serving in 
multiple different capacities including important work in juvenile 
justice. She's been a mentor to women and attorneys across Iowa--
including mentoring those who move here from out of state about how to 
handle our winter.
  As District Associate Judge, she continues to exemplify justice and 
equality by treating those who come before her fairly, with compassion 
and respect. The late Iowa Supreme Court Justice Mark Cady believed it 
was these qualities in Judge Belcher that makes her so valuable to our 
community. He said that Judge Belcher's ``presence and her approach and 
the kindness she displays is very needed'' by the those who come before 
her courtroom.
  I have great respect and admiration for folks who stand up for people 
who can't always stand up for themselves. Judge Belcher has made it her 
mission to help and had a dedicated life of public service, and Iowans 
are better because of it. It is an honor to commemorate the outstanding 
achievements of Judge Belcher and celebrate her as our Iowan of the 
Week.

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