[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JUDGE JAMES K. BREDAR

  Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I rise to congratulate James K. Bredar 
upon the completion of his service as chief judge of the United States 
District Court for the District of Maryland and his assumption of 
senior status.
  I was pleased to work with former Senator Barbara Mikulski to 
recommend Judge Bredar to President Obama for appointment as one of my 
first Maryland Federal judicial nominations in 2010. Notably, the 
Senate confirmed his nomination by unanimous consent.
  Judge Bredar served with great distinction for his nearly 7-year term 
as chief judge. In particular, I thank Judge Bredar for his vigorous 
oversight of the Federal consent decree between the U.S. Justice 
Department and the Baltimore Police Department, which arose out of the 
Freddie Gray case. This consent decree, when fully implemented, will 
guarantee effective, fair, and constitutional policing to Baltimore 
City residents.
  I have greatly appreciated Judge Bredar's tireless advocacy for the 
needs of the judges, litigants, witnesses, court personnel, and 
visitors to the Federal courthouses in Baltimore and Greenbelt.
  The Chief Justice of the United States showed his confidence in Judge 
Bredar's abilities through his past appointment as a member of the 
Judicial Conference Committee on Federal-State Jurisdiction, as well 
his continuing service on the Judicial Conference Committee on the 
Budget.
  I understand that Judge Bredar will continue to perform substantial 
judicial service as a judge on senior status, including taking on a new 
assignment to handle the complex litigation arising out of the recent 
Dali ship disaster at the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
  I congratulate Judge Bredar again for his remarkable service on the 
court. Marylanders can be proud and thankful of his extraordinary 
service to uphold the rule of law and to provide equal justice under 
the law to everyone who enters his courtroom. Judge Bredar has indeed 
lived up to his judicial oath to ``administer justice without respect 
to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich.''
  I extend my best wishes to Judge Bredar as he continues his service 
on the Federal bench in senior status.

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