[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 20039-20040]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO DENVER DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILLIAM RITTER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2004

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the notable accomplishments 
and extraordinary service of Denver District Attorney William (Bill) 
Ritter, Jr. This eminent public servant merits both our recognition and 
esteem as his impressive record of leadership and invaluable service 
has done much to improve the lives of our residents.
  Bill Ritter's standing within our community is unrivaled. His tenure 
has been defined by not only the skills and faculties that distinguish 
district attorneys, but by a deep and abiding commitment to justice, 
high ethical standards and professionalism.
  Bill Ritter was born on a farm in Colorado and is one of twelve 
children. He worked construction and used work-study programs to put 
himself through Colorado State University where he graduated with 
honors. He subsequently earned his Juris Doctor from the University of 
Colorado School of Law and served as a former Assistant United States 
Attorney and Chief Deputy District Attorney. Bill married Jeannie Lewis 
Ritter and they have raised a family of four: August (William), 
Abraham, Samuel and Natalie. In 1987, Bill interrupted his legal career 
to manage a food distribution and nutrition center in Zambia for three 
years.
  Former Governor Roy Romer appointed Bill Ritter to serve as District 
Attorney for the Second Judicial District of Colorado in 1993 and he 
has since been reelected District Attorney three times by the people of 
Denver. Bill understands that he has a public trust of considerable 
magnitude and he has been resolute in his commitment to protect the 
safety and welfare of our citizens. He and his staff are responsible 
for the prosecution of more than 5,000 felony and 15,000 misdemeanor 
cases every year. But for Bill Ritter, protecting the integrity of the 
legal process matters and he has done much to bring greater 
transparency and innovation to the District Attorneys Office. Whether 
helping our senior citizens fight scams, cracking down on identity 
theft and check-fraud, advocating for reasonable gun laws, fighting for 
needed funding to place juvenile offenders in effective programs, or 
advocating for responsible domestic violence laws, Bill Ritter has 
provided serious and thoughtful leadership on issues of public 
consequence. He has created a number of forward-thinking programs 
including the Denver Drug Court, Victims Services, Community 
Prosecution, Juvenile Diversion and the Courtrooms to Classrooms 
program. Many of these programs serve as models for other judicial 
districts in the nation.
  Bill Ritter is nationally recognized on issues ranging from community 
justice, juvenile diversion and white-collar crime. He has served as 
faculty for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, The National 
District Attorneys Advocacy Center and the National Conference on 
Juvenile Justice. He is past president of the Colorado District 
Attorneys Association, Chairman of the Board of Project P.A.V.E. 
(Promoting Alternatives to Violence Through Education), President of 
the American Prosecutors Research Institute and is a board member of 
the National District Attorneys Association, the National Association 
of Drug Court Professionals and the Mile High United Way.
  Bill Ritter has burnished a reputation as a powerful advocate for 
victims' rights and new approaches to both prevent and deter crime. But 
more importantly, he is a decent human being and his career has been 
defined by the courage to adopt new ideas and take the necessary risks 
to implement them. His efforts have made a real difference and under 
Bill Ritter's leadership, the Denver District Attorney's Office has 
made a positive impact on our justice system and improved the quality 
of life in our community.

[[Page 20040]]

  Bill Ritter's tenure as Denver District Attorney is quickly drawing 
to a close. His leadership has been exemplary and he has labored 
diligently to preserve and improve the administration of justice. His 
contributions are rich in consequence and on behalf of the citizens of 
the 1st Congressional District, I wish to express our gratitude and 
look forward to his continued involvement in our civic life.
  Please join me in commending William Ritter, Jr., a distinguished 
citizen and public servant. His character, leadership and 
accomplishments command our respect and serve to build a better future 
for all Americans.

                          ____________________