[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 187 (Friday, November 7, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8001-S8002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CHARLES SIMPSON

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
good, longtime friend, U.S. District Court Judge for the Western 
District of Kentucky Charles R. Simpson III, in special celebration of 
the upcoming ceremony at the Gene Snyder U.S. Courthouse for the 
unveiling of his official portrait.
  Chuck and I have been friends for a while. In fact, our friendship 
goes all the way back to our internship with Henry Clay.
  Jokes aside, I am proud to have known Chuck for so long. We both 
attended the University of Louisville, but we didn't get to know each 
other until I came back to Kentucky to begin my law career. We 
practiced law together for a brief period. I was terrible and hated it. 
I wouldn't go to myself for a simple will. Chuck was great and loved 
it. And thankfully for me, Chuck also loved politics, so I got his help 
in running for Jefferson County judge-executive. We worked hard 
together on that first campaign. And amazingly, we won by 11,000 
votes--a sizeable victory for a Republican in a blue city--and I was 
lucky to keep Chuck on my team as legal counsel.
  Chuck was also there when I first ran for Senate. I headed back to 
DC, and Chuck stayed in Louisville to build on his law career, but we 
remained in touch. Only a couple years into my first term, I had the 
opportunity to recommend a candidate for appointment to the Federal 
bench. Knowing Chuck's character and legal chops, I didn't have to look 
any further. President Reagan made the wise choice of nominating Chuck 
in 1986 to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of 
Kentucky. He served as chief judge for several years, beginning in 
1994. Under his supervision as chief judge, the court underwent 
impressive transformations to improve its handling of administrative 
matters.
  I don't mean to brag in observing that Chuck's appointment turned out 
to be a great move. He has been an excellent judge who is respected 
throughout the legal community. He understands complex legal issues 
very quickly and always hears out both sides in court before making 
decisions. Judge Simpson's fairness and hard work earned him renown 
throughout Kentucky. He won the Louisville Bar's Judge of the Year in 
2000 and the Kentucky Bar's Outstanding Judge of the Year in 2005.
  Chuck's work is inspired not only by his hometown of Louisville, but 
also by his academic and professional journeys abroad. He brings with 
him a special set of skills, knowing how to connect with others 
internationally. He created a special sister court relationship between 
his court and one in Croatia, and Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme 
Court William Rehnquist even appointed him to an international judicial 
council.
  Of course, I would be remiss not to mention the time Judge Simpson 
made international news on a visit to Russia when he accidentally 
locked himself in

[[Page S8002]]

the courtroom cage usually reserved for the defendant. Apparently, it 
was quite difficult to find the key--in Russia, go figure. Everyone 
handled the situation with great humor, and luckily, his travels to 
other countries such as Cyprus, Slovenia, and many other places, did 
not include a similar experience--as far as I know.
  Devoted to the court and always finding enthusiasm for his work, 
Judge Simpson kept a sizeable caseload even after achieving senior 
status in 2013. He has a great sense of humor and his firm dedication 
to the law and commitment to improving the lives of others drives him 
every day.
  Judge Simpson's involvement in the community extends well outside of 
work too. He is a loyal member of local, State, and Federal bar 
associations, and his peers have entrusted him with leadership roles 
over the years because they know he represents them well and gets the 
job done. He holds status as an outstanding alumnus of UofL law school 
and received the Lawrence Grauman Award--the law school's most 
prestigious award--in 2006, honoring a lifetime record of leadership 
and service to the legal profession and community. Chuck's success is 
hard to encapsulate in just a few short pages. You never find him 
touting his own accolades since he is quick to credit others for his 
accomplishments, both on the bench and in his personal life.
  What he values and celebrates most is his family. Chuck is a devoted 
husband to his wife Clare, a proud father of their three children 
Charlie, Pam, and Lauren, and a loving grandfather to all his 
grandchildren. I have the pleasure of tailgating with Chuck and Clare 
several times a year to root on the Louisville Cardinals through thick 
and thin. It was also a joy to have their daughter Pam serve in my 
Washington office for several years. She was an integral member of the 
team.
  I know the entire Simpson family is beaming with pride today in 
celebration of this incredible man who devoted his career to serving 
the public and making a difference.
  I ask my colleagues to please join me in congratulating U.S. District 
Court Judge Charles Simpson on the special occasion, and recognizing 
his profound impact on Kentucky, the judiciary, and our country.

                          ____________________