Louie Gohmert: “this week, America, Texas and East Texas mourn the loss of Federal District Court Judge William Merritt Steger. As…”

“this week, America, Texas and East Texas mourn the loss of Federal District Court Judge William Merritt Steger. As former law clerk and good friend Andy Tindel said, ``Judge Steger was one of the finest, fairest, most honest man I have ever had the privilege of practicing law before.'' While Bill Steger was studying prelaw, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. And within 24 hours the 21-year-old had withdrawn from Baylor University and volunteered for service. The Dallas native has always wanted the opportunity to become a pilot, and with the Nation entering World War II, he took a chance. On November 9, 1942, he got his wings. Then after training he was sent to Casablanca and flew 56 combat missions for which he received an air medal and four oak leaf clusters. While later training other pilots, Captain Steger also tested the first U.S. jet airplanes. Once his Nation was secure, Bill Steger went back to school and received his law degree from Southern Methodist University, that is, their law school. He married his wife, Ann Hollandsworth Steger, on Valentine's Day in 1948. They had one child, the late Merritt Reed Steger, who was one of my younger brother David's closest friends. Judge Steger entered and engaged in private practice in Longview and Tyler and headed up numerous east Texas campaign clubs for Dwight D. Eisenhower for President. After the election, President Eisenhower appointed Judge Steger in 1953 to the position of U.S.…”