[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 134 (Thursday, August 20, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E799]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE EUGENE SILER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, August 20, 2026

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the Honorable Eugene Siler, Jr. and celebrate the designation of the 
federal courthouse annex in London, Kentucky as the ``Eugene E. Siler, 
Junior United States Courthouse Annex.'' My longtime friend and trusted 
adviser, the Honorable Eugene Siler, Jr. has served on the federal 
bench for nearly 50 years and was nominated by three U.S. Presidents. 
President Richard Nixon first nominated Siler as the U.S. Attorney for 
the Eastern District of Kentucky in 1970, followed by President Gerald 
Ford's appointment in 1975 as U.S. District Judge for the Eastern and 
Western Districts of Kentucky, and President George H.W. Bush's 
elevated appointment of Judge Siler to preside over the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in 1991.
  The Siler family legacy of public service is highly regarded in 
southern Kentucky. Eugene's father, and namesake, served as a judge on 
the Kentucky Court of Appeals before being elected as a Member of this 
House for the decade spanning 1955 to 1965. The senior Siler was known 
for being fiscally conservative, a man of great faith, and very 
generous, donating his expense allotment to build up scholarships at 
home in Kentucky. Likewise, his son has established a reputation as an 
acclaimed jurist, a compassionate community member, and a trusted 
source for legal advice at home and abroad. Both Silers joined the 
military before pursuing their law degrees, bravely serving and 
protecting this great Nation. Eugene Siler, Jr. was a U.S. Navy 
midshipman in 1957 and served as a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve from 
1958 to 1983.
  When I was first elected to represent the people of Kentucky's 5th 
Congressional District, Judge Siler swore me in during a ceremonial 
celebration in 1981 on the courthouse square in my hometown of 
Somerset, Kentucky. That moment will forever be one of my favorite 
memories, as I first stepped into this monumental responsibility of 
public service, surrounded by my mentors and closest friends. Fast 
forward to 2026, and I am proud to say that Judge Siler and I are still 
showing up for the people of this region every single day. He still 
carries a hefty caseload, five days a week, as a Senior Judge.
  It was an honor to join U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell's efforts to 
advance this worthy courthouse designation from both chambers of 
Congress. Judge Siler's legacy gives us a great sense of pride in 
southeastern Kentucky, and it is only fitting for his home court of 
justice, where he has mentored aspiring legal minds, to bear his name. 
This designation for Judge Siler is a small token of appreciation on 
behalf of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as we applaud his continued 
valiant service.

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