James Norton: “Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2011 is a bill to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse at 100 East 8th Avenue…”

“Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2011 is a bill to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse at 100 East 8th Avenue in Pine Bluff, Arkansas as the George Howard, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse. Judge Howard, who recently died at age 82, was an icon of the judicial community in Arkansas. He had a lifetime filled with accomplishments, first African American Federal judge in Arkansas, distinguished legal career, Navy veteran, and dedicated family man. He served with distinction on the Arkansas Supreme Court, the Arkansas Court of Appeals, and the Arkansas State Claims Commission. After graduating from the University of Arkansas Law School, George Howard, Jr. began a long illustrious, trailblazing legal career in his home State of Arkansas. After initially working as an attorney in private practice, Judge Howard received his first appointment in 1967 to the Arkansas State Claims Commission. He was then appointed to the Arkansas State Supreme Court as an Arkansas State Supreme Court Justice, and was later appointed by then Governor Bill Clinton as State Court of Appeals judge in 1979. Judge Howard later began his Federal service in 1980, when President Jimmy Carter appointed him a Federal District Judge in Arkansas. The bill has bipartisan support from the Arkansas delegation. It is both fitting and appropriate that we honor Judge Howard's legacy with this designation.”