[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 21, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5012-S5013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JUSTICE ROGER BURDICK

 Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the retirement 
of Idaho

[[Page S5013]]

Supreme Court Justice Roger S. Burdick. Roger has served Idaho's 
judicial system with distinction and integrity for over 47 years.
  Roger graduated from Boise High School in 1965 and received his 
bachelor of science in finance from the University of Colorado in 1970. 
He graduated from the University of Idaho School of Law with a juris 
doctor degree in 1974. After graduation, he worked at the law firm of 
Webb, Pike, Burton & Carlson in Twin Falls, served as a deputy 
prosecutor in Ada County, and as a partner for the law firm of Hart, 
Burdick & Healzer in Jerome. In 1980, Justice Burdick was elected 
prosecutor for Jerome County.
  In 1981, Roger began his career as a judge, being appointed to 
magistrate judge for Jerome County. During that time, he became the 
first magistrate judge member of the Idaho Judicial Council. In 1993, 
he was appointed as a district judge in Twin Falls County.
  In Idaho, the saying, ``Whiskey is for drinking and water is for 
fighting'' fits all too well. Given his extensive legal and judicial 
experience, Judge Burdick was assigned one of the most difficult and 
challenging processes in Idaho in 2001, presiding over water rights 
determinations through the Snake River Basin Adjudication. During this 
time, he also became the administrative district judge for the Fifth 
Judicial District.
  Roger was appointed to the Idaho Supreme Court in 2003 by Governor 
Kempthorne. He won reelection three times, serving as vice chief 
justice of the court and two terms as chief justice. Before his 
retirement, he was again serving as vice chief justice. In retirement, 
he will apply to serve as a senior judge, taking on periodic cases to 
help ease the workload across the judiciary.
  In addition to being a judge and attorney, Justice Burdick has 
contributed to the Idaho judicial system by serving on various Idaho 
Supreme Court advisory committees, as the district judge member on the 
Idaho Judicial Council, and as president of the Idaho District Judges 
Association. Nationally, he served on the board of directors for the 
Conference of Chief Justices.
  As an avid waterfowl hunter, Roger makes time to enjoy this sport 
with family and friends. He also likes to spend time with his wife 
Rachel and his two grown sons, Phillip and Benjamin.
  Vicki and I wish you all the best in your retirement. Thank you for 
your outstanding service to Idaho and the Nation's judicial and legal 
system. You make Idaho proud.

                          ____________________