[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14633]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JIM SPEARS

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor circuit 
judge Jim Spears who will be retiring in December after serving the 
people of Sebastian County, AR, for more than 20 years.
  Judge Spears has been an active member of the legal community since 
graduating from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1973. 
Described by those who know him as ``kind, fair and approachable,'' his 
24 years presiding over the Sebastian County Circuit's Third Division 
have been a testament to his commitment to the people of Arkansas.
  Those who have stood in court before Judge Spears have expressed 
their utmost respect and admiration for his conduct and character.
  In addition to his passion for the law, his colleagues say that his 
commitment to civic involvement is equally important to his years on 
the bench. Judge Spears has worked closely with the Boy Scouts of 
America and served on the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission and as 
board chairman of the U.S. Marshals Museum. He has played a critical 
role in many community projects including leading the effort to create 
a bronze statue of U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves.
  Judge Spears has been honored by many organizations for his efforts, 
including the Arkansas Bar Association's Citizen Lawyer award in 2004 
for his exemplary service to his community.
  I am honored to know Judge Spears and want to thank him for his 
distinguished service as a leader in the justice system and the 
community. I wish him the best in his well-earned retirement from the 
bench, and I look forward to watching him use his talents and passion 
to continue to serve Arkansas in the years to come.

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