[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 9 (Friday, January 15, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E41]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING JUDGE STEVEN R. SANDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 15, 2021

  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Presiding Judge 
Steven R. Sanders for his legal career spanning 37 years as well as his 
nearly 34 years in public service. His professional accomplishments and 
leadership in the community of San Benito County have greatly improved 
the lives of those living on the central coast of California, and I 
congratulate him on his retirement.
  Judge Sanders is a Salinas native and has always felt he had an 
affinity for advocacy. This affinity would motivate Judge Sanders to 
put himself through college, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 
communications at the University of California, Davis. After 
graduation, he attended the University of the Pacific's McGeorge School 
of Law while working as a clerk at a Sacramento law firm. Judge Sanders 
said that the law was a natural direction for him to take.
  Upon returning to the Central Coast, Judge Sanders became a member of 
the San Benito County Counsel from 1987 to 2000, including six months 
as County Administrative Officer. He later became a Superior Court 
Judge from 2001 to 2021, which included 10 years as Presiding Judge. 
During his 20 years on the bench, Judge Sanders integrated a 
consolidated jury trial schedule to improve efficiency, founded a drug 
calendar for DEJP and Prop 36, created a library literacy program for 
the children of felony probationers to reduce recidivism, served as the 
Juvenile Dependency Court Judge for 14 years, and was a Professor of 
Law at Monterey College of Law for over 10 years where he taught Civil 
Procedure. Further, he established in-chambers discussion to manage 
increasing caseload, designed vertically integrated calendars, and 
formed collaborative courts including Drug Court, Behavioral Health 
Court, and Parental Responsibility and Truancy Court. In addition, 
Judge Sanders presided over the approval and construction of a new 
courthouse and the Veteran's Diversion and Mental Health Diversion 
calendars.
  Judge Sanders recently stated, ``I am proud of the fact that the 
Superior Court has continued to increase the public's access to 
justice, while maintaining the highest standards of fairness and 
impartiality to all. I am honored to have served all the people of San 
Benito County.'' We, on the Central Coast, are grateful for Judge 
Sanders' dedication to justice and his service to San Benito County. 
Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in 
honoring and congratulating Presiding Judge Steven R. Sanders on his 
retirement.

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