[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 191 (Wednesday, November 12, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING KENTUCKY CHIEF JUSTICE DEBRA LAMBERT

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2025

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the first 
female Chief Justice of Kentucky Debra Hembree Lambert, who was elected 
to the helm of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Kentucky by her 
fellow Justices. Chief Justice Lambert will serve a four-year term, 
which began on January 6, 2025.
  Chief Justice Lambert is a proud native of Bell County, a rural 
community in Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains and part of Kentucky's 
5th Congressional District. During her investiture, she reflected on 
how her childhood shaped her pursuit of justice, stating, ``When you 
grow up so modestly, you develop a strong sense of a need for a level 
playing field and for everyone to be heard. Those concepts are 
foundational in my world view.''
  Chief Justice Lambert has 17 years of experience on the Kentucky 
Court of Justice, having served as Circuit Judge/Family Court division 
for the 28th Judicial Circuit, Kentucky Court of Appeals, and Justice 
for Kentucky's 3rd Supreme Court District. She was also tapped to lead 
the first Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health in 2022, 
working to improve the justice system for individuals with mental 
health issues, substance use disorders, and intellectual and 
developmental disabilities. In fact, she volunteers as a certified 
suicide prevention trainer, training others how to properly intervene 
to prevent suicide.
  Her compassion and fortitude for justice as a Family Court Judge 
inspired her to create the first Drug Court for Lincoln, Pulaski and 
Rockcastle counties. As the founder of Operation UNITE, I worked 
tirelessly to ensure those successful Drug Court efforts were funded 
and expanded into every county in Kentucky's 5th Congressional 
District, which are still in existence today. In 2002, Lambert was 
inducted into the Stanley M. Goldstein Drug Court Hall of Fame by the 
National Association of Drug Court Professionals. She also volunteered 
at local middle schools, working 10 weeks each semester with at-risk 
children and families to help them avoid truancy charges.
  As Chief Justice Lambert leads Kentucky's Judicial Branch of 
government, I am confident that she will continue to serve the 
Commonwealth of Kentucky with the utmost integrity and resilience, 
first forged in the hills of southeastern Kentucky. May God continue to 
bless Chief Justice Lambert and her family during her historic service 
as the first woman to lead our Judicial Branch.

                          ____________________