[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13796-13797]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    PAYING TRIBUTE TO JUDGE SARAH EVANS BARKER FOR HER 32 YEARS OF 
   EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN 
                          DISTRICT OF INDIANA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN W. BROOKS

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 2016

  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Judge Sarah Evans Barker and to her exceptional public service. The 
District Judges of The U.S. District Court, Southern District of 
Indiana signed a resolution naming Courtroom 216 in Judge Barker's 
honor, commemorating her 32 years of service. It is where Judge Barker 
has worked for much of her judicial career. The courtroom resides in 
the Birch Bayh Federal Building, which has been home to Indiana's 
Federal Court for over 100 years. The building and the ``Sarah Evans 
Barker Courtroom'' is sculpted from Indiana limestone and houses ornate 
decorative features, and it remains a place where history is made. This 
courtroom is the first Indiana courtroom to be named for a female 
judge, and it is fitting that Judge Barker should be the first woman to 
be honored as she also holds the distinctions of being the first female 
Assistant U.S. Attorney, first female federal judge, and first female 
chief judge for the United States District Court in Indiana. She has 
been a tireless advocate for women's leadership and a great connector 
of women throughout her career. The people of Indiana's Fifth 
Congressional District are forever grateful for Judge Barker's 
contributions to the Hoosier community and our country, and it is my 
privilege to honor her today.
  A lifelong Hoosier, Judge Barker was born in Mishawaka, Indiana. She 
earned her bachelor's degree in 1965 from Indiana University and later 
earned her Juris Doctorate from the American University Washington 
College of Law in 1969. She started her career as a Legislative 
Assistant to Congressman Gilbert Gude of Maryland and Senator Charles 
H. Percy of Illinois, eventually working as special counsel to the 
Senate Government Operations Subcommittee. After her time in 
Washington, D.C., Judge Barker continued her public service in 
Indianapolis as an Assistant United States Attorney from 1972 to 1976 
under United States Attorneys Stanley B. Miller and James B. Young. She 
then joined the Indianapolis law firm of Bose, McKinney & Evans where 
she became a partner. After her time in private practice, in 1981 
President Ronald Reagan appointed Judge Barker as the United States 
Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana and later, in 1984, he 
appointed her as the first female federal judge for the United States 
District Court, Southern District of Indiana.
  Ever since her appointment in 1984, Judge Barker has been an 
influential member of the bench. She has shaped judicial practice and 
policy through her appointments to numerous committees and commissions. 
In 2004, Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist appointed her to the 
Special Study Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability, otherwise 
known as the ``Breyer Committee.'' Chief Justice John G. Roberts asked 
the Committee to continue its work and reappointed Judge Barker. In 
addition, she works on the Judicial Conference of the United States, 
with the Executive Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, Standing 
Rules Committee, Budget Committee, and Judicial Branch Committee as 
well as a number of 7th Circuit committees. She served as president of 
the 900-member Federal Judges Association from 2007 to 2009 and 
currently sits on their Board of Directors.
  She has been, and continues to be, a dynamic member of the community 
through her work with various organizations. Judge Barker is an active 
member of the Morgantown United Methodist Church. She is a member of 
the Indiana Academy which seeks to encourage and promote charitable, 
scientific, literary, and educational goals in conjunction with 
institutions dedicated to these same objectives in the state of 
Indiana. She also sits on the boards of the Indiana Historical Society, 
the Indiana University Health Partners, and Conner Prairie. Higher 
education has a special place in her heart as she is a trustee on the 
advisory board for Indiana University, as well as its law schools. She 
has also been a part of search committees for IU law school deans, an 
IU chancellor, and two IU presidents. She was also appointed by 
Governor Mitch Daniels to participate in the Indiana Bicentennial 
Commission. Judge Barker is a member of the Gathering, the Lawyers Club 
and the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis where she shares her wit, 
good humor, and sharp mind with all in attendance.
  Judge Barker has been recognized for her work and contributions 
through many honors and awards. These awards include the Trailblazer 
Award given by the Indiana Commission for Women. She has been 
designated as a Distinguished Alumna of Indiana University. She was 
given the Living Legend award by the Indiana Historical Society. She 
was presented the Silver Gavel by the Indianapolis Bar Association. 
Several Midwestern colleges and universities have conferred ten 
honorary degrees upon her.
  Not only has Judge Barker received many awards and honors, but she 
continually seeks to nominate deserving women in the community to be 
recognized. I had the honor to first hear Judge Barker speak at my own 
law school commencement from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at 
Indiana University in May of 1985. Her dedication to provide guidance 
to young lawyers is inspiring. She is personally committed to 
championing the women of our community and has been an essential mentor 
to me as well as many others. Judge Barker is an amazing connector, by 
providing opportunities for Hoosier women to meet, socialize, and 
develop professionally. She is an exemplary role model for public 
servants, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for all the 
wonderful contributions she has made to the Hoosier community. Judge 
Barker has been a teacher, counselor, and friend to many aspiring 
public servants.
  Despite her long tenure on the bench, Judge Barker cares deeply about 
each case that comes through her courtroom; she demonstrates genuine 
care with her decisions,

[[Page 13797]]

particularly sentencing decisions, which greatly impact lives. Judge 
Barker has undoubtedly left an immensely profound influence on the 
court, and it is quite fitting that this beautiful and historic 
courtroom be named in her honor. On behalf of all Hoosiers, I'd like to 
congratulate Judge Barker on her success and wish her, her husband 
Kenneth, three children, and five grandchildren much joy as they 
celebrate Sarah's place in history.

                          ____________________