[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22726]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF JUDGE FERNANDO GAITAN, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 2005

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise today in recognition of the 
achievements of Judge Fernando Gaitan, Jr., an important resident of 
the 5th Congressional District of Missouri, and current United States 
District Judge for the Western District of Missouri. Judge Gaitan was 
recently inducted into the Missouri Walk of Fame, during a reception as 
part of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative 
Conference, an event held to honor the achievements of African-
Americans who have made significant contributions to Missouri.
  Judge Gaitan graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1970, and 
earned his law degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City--
where he was member of the Law Review. Judge Gaitan served first as a 
state trial judge for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in Kansas City, 
Missouri. He then went on to serve as an appellate judge on the 
Missouri Court of Appeals-Western District. He was elevated to the 
federal bench in 1991 by then-President George H. W. Bush. By the 
appointment of then Chief Justice William Rehnquist, he also served in 
the Federal-State Jurisdiction Committee of the Judicial Conference 
from 1997-2003.
  With a great desire to share this incalculable knowledge and 
experience with others in the community, Judge Gaitan serves as adjunct 
professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. In 
addition, he is a member of many non-for-profit boards as well as 
local, state and national bar associations.
  Throughout his career, Judge Gaitan has been noted for his steadfast 
judicial prudence. His rulings have been noted for their fairness and 
adherence to the letter and intent of the law. His scholarly approach 
to judicial decisions coupled with his fundamental commitment to 
equality and equity are well regarded across the federal judiciary.
  For those reasons and more, it was indeed an honor and privilege to 
recognize Judge Gaitan at the Missouri Walk of Fame reception, hosted 
by myself and fellow colleague, Missouri Representative William Lacy 
Clay of St. Louis.
  Mr. Speaker, please join with me in expressing our appreciation to 
Judge Gaitan and his endless commitment to serving the residents of the 
State of Missouri. He is a true role model not just to the African-
American community in Missouri, but to the entire African American 
community at large. May his success serve as a stepping stone for many 
other African-Americans eager to be just as successful in their 
endeavors.

                          ____________________