James Oberstar: “H.R. 2804 is a bill to designate the courthouse located at 95 Seventh Street in San Francisco, California, as the…”

“H.R. 2804 is a bill to designate the courthouse located at 95 Seventh Street in San Francisco, California, as the ``James R. Browning United States Courthouse''. I commend our colleague, Congresswoman Pelosi, for her diligence and hard work in bringing this bill through the Committee. I also thank Subcommittee Chairman LaTourette, Ranking Member Costello, and Committee Chairman Young for working with me to ensure that the bill received expeditious consideration. Judge Browning is a tireless and effective advocate for the Ninth Circuit, where he served as a U.S. District Court Judge for nearly 40 years. In 1976, the year Judge Browning became the circuit's Chief Judge, there was no guarantee of a speedy disposition of litigation. Substantial delays were commonplace, and the volume of cases far exceeded the capacity of the courts. Judge Browning convinced Congress and advocacy groups that reducing the size of the Ninth Circuit was not the answer. He then undertook a series of administrative reforms to ensure the prompt, effective administration of justice, and other circuits subsequently adopted many of these ideas. This bill honors his dedication to public service and his innovative reshaping of the procedures in the largest and busiest circuit in the country.”