[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 7] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 10265-10266] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING GUAM SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JANET HEALY WEEKS ______ HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD of guam in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 19, 1999 Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, ``Justice'' is often represented by a blindfolded lady bearing scales on one hand and a sword and book on the other. The blindfold symbolizes equality for all under the law; the scales--balance; the sword--strength; and the book--intellect. In my opinion, Guam Supreme Court Justice Janet Healy Weeks is the absolute personification of this mythical figure. After having been personally acquainted with this dynamic lady for so many years, I have to give her my deepest respect and admiration. As Micronesia's first woman lawyer and first woman judge, Justice Weeks' niche in the annals of the Guam judicial system had long been secured. A native of Quincy, Massachusetts, Justice Weeks received a degree in Chemistry from Emmanuel College in Boston in 1955. She holds an L.L.D. from Boston College Law School and an honorary L.L.D. from the University of Guam. Upon her graduation from law school in 1958, she was selected for the Attorney General's Honor Graduate Program. She served under that capacity with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., until 1961. Having been admitted to practice law in the District Court of Guam, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, the U.S. Court of Military Appeals, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States, Justice Weeks became an associate in the law firm of Trapp and Gayle in 1971. In 1973, she was made a partner in the law firm of Trapp, Gayle, Teker, Weeks & Friedman. Appointed to the Superior Court of Guam in 1975, she went on to serve as a Superior Court Judge until 1996 when she was appointed to the newly created Supreme Court of Guam. She also sat in the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia from 1982 through 1988. From 1977 to 1993 and again from 1996 until April of this year, Justice Weeks was designated a judge at the U.S. District Court of Guam. In 1993, she was appointed Associate Justice in the Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau, a position she holds to this day. Justice Weeks holds memberships with the American Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Guam Bar Association, the [[Page 10266]] American Trial Lawyers Association, the American Judges Association and the National Association of Women Judges. In addition, she has also been involved with the Guam Law Revision Commission, the National Conference of Trial Judges, the Territorial Law Library and the Territorial Crime Commission, Task Force on Courts, Prosecution and Defense. In 1973, she was a member of the Catholic School Board of Guam. As a jurist, Justice Weeks is beyond reproach. While on the bench, she always endeavored to dispense equal justice to all. Favoritism and preferential treatment has no place in her courtroom. This fact is the source of my undying respect for her. Justice Weeks' devotion to the island of Guam, its people, and the judicial system is her utmost legacy. While on Guam, Justice Weeks lived through some personal misfortunes enough to overcome and embitter the best among us. For over a quarter of a century, she has chosen to stay on Guam and weather every storm that came her way. Through it all she maintained her grace and dignity--another reason why I have looked up to her all these years. Last April, Justice Weeks has decided to step down and retire from the bench. Although a welcome boon to family and friends, her retirement has surely left a great void within the island's judiciary. The decades of service she dedicated to the people of Guam has truly earned her a place in our hearts. Her husband, retired Navy Commander George H. Weeks, and their children, Susan and George, certainly have every right to celebrate and be proud of this esteemed lady, dedicated jurist, and fellow public servant. On behalf of the people of Guam, I say, ``Si Yu'os Ma'ase'' to a distinguished community leader for having been such an exemplary role model and for her invaluable services to the island of Guam. ____________________