[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12398]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO EDWARD J. LODGE

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of myself and 
Senator Crapo to give recognition to U.S. District Judge Edward J. 
Lodge, the longest serving jurist in the great State of Idaho. This 
month, Judge Lodge marked 50 years on the bench in combined State and 
Federal service.
  His long and notable career on the bench began in 1963 when he was 
selected probate judge in Canyon County. Judge Lodge was then appointed 
by Governor Robert Smylie just 2 years later to serve on the Idaho 
State District Court. He was the youngest person to be appointed a 
district judge.
  After 23 years there, his name was put forth by U.S. Senator James 
McClure for a seat on the U.S. District Court for the District of 
Idaho. President George H.W. Bush appointed him in 1989 and shortly 
thereafter, his nomination was confirmed in the U.S. Senate by 
unanimous consent.
  Judge Lodge has earned the respect of his colleagues as a jurist who, 
no matter the pressure or how big the case, works to ensure a trial is 
fair. Throughout the years, he has consistently received high ratings 
from the Idaho State Bar.
  Though it may say more about my State than I would like, Judge Lodge 
is believed to have presided over more murder cases than any other 
judge in Idaho. And, in fact, he may just be the only judge who 
presided over two such cases simultaneously. These cases and the many 
others upon which he has presided distinguish Judge Lodge as a lifelong 
student of the law and as someone wholly dedicated to serving the 
people in judicial matters.
  A native of Caldwell, ID, Judge Lodge earned a bachelor's degree from 
the College of Idaho in nearby Nampa, where he graduated cum laude. He 
then went north to the University of Idaho in Moscow to earn his juris 
doctorate.
  Many may not know that throughout his education--from high school 
through university--he was an outstanding athlete. He was named three 
times an All-American in football at Caldwell High School, Boise Junior 
College and the College of Idaho. In addition, he was a Golden Gloves 
champion and successfully participated in track-and-field. These 
accomplishments landed him a place in the Boise State Athletic Hall of 
Fame and the College of Idaho Hall of Fame.
  Judge Lodge is married to long serving Idaho State Senator Patti Anne 
Lodge. They have three grown children: Mary-Jeanne, Edward and Anne-
Marie.
  Idaho is proud to call Judge Lodge a native son.

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