[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 165 (Tuesday, October 10, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E943-E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE 2023 WOMEN OF THE YEAR: JUDGE DIANA BECTON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2023

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker pro tempore, I rise today to recognize the 
contributions of Judge Diana Becton as she is honored as one of 
California's 8th Congressional District's Women of the Year.
  Diana Becton has been Contra Costa County's District Attorney since 
her 2017 swearing in. Diana is the first woman, first African American, 
and first woman of color to serve in the role since its creation in 
1850. This accomplishment alone shows the historical impact she has had 
on her community. For 22 years Diana, served as a judge in Contra Costa 
County where she was elected and became president of the National 
Association of Women Judges. She is known not only for upholding the 
law and holding people accountable, but also for striving to improve 
Contra Costa County's judicial system by focusing on disrupting the 
school to prison pipeline, creating safe alternatives for low-level 
non-violent offenders, and addressing the mental health needs of our 
community. She created the Reimagine Youth Justice Task Force to create 
alternatives to juvenile hall for young offenders and has made efforts 
to curb racial bias in her department by partnering with the non-profit 
Vera Institute of Justice to evaluate her office's decision making.
  Diana's accomplishments in the judiciary are too enumerable and 
impressive to list briefly

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as she is truly a pillar of her community and a testament to the 
excellence found in our district. Diana, far from doing business as 
usual, has aimed to fundamentally change many aspects of our often-
harsh criminal justice system to decrease bias and fulfill its duty to 
serve justice.
  On behalf of the people of California's 8th Congressional District, 
it is my pleasure to honor and recognize Diana Becton for her positive 
contributions to our community.

                          ____________________