On the recordFebruary 10, 2022
I rise today to celebrate the distinguished career of a Nebraska public servant, U.S. District Court Judge John Gerrard. After just over 10 years on the Federal bench in the District of Nebraska, he announced Monday that he will move to senior status starting next year. Judge Gerrard's impressive career has spanned more than four decades, and it is not over yet. After his successor is confirmed, he will remain on the bench with a reduced caseload. Judge Gerrard is a native Nebraskan. He grew up in Schuyler and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln. He left the good life, temporarily, to pursue an MPA at the University of Arizona and a JD at the University of the Pacific in California. I am grateful that he came home to Nebraska after law school. In 1981, Judge Gerrard began his career in private practice in Norfolk. A year later, he also began serving as a part-time city attorney for the neighboring community of Battle Creek. That was the start of 40 years and counting of selfless public service. In 1995, he was appointed to the Nebraska Supreme Court by then- Governor Ben Nelson. He was just 41 years old at the time, making him the youngest-ever Nebraska Supreme Court Justice. After more than 15 years on our State's highest court, he was nominated by President Obama to the Federal judgeship he holds now in 2011, serving as chief judge for 3 of those years.…
