INSIDE THIS ISSUE Judiciary Spotlights Issues for New Administration, Congress Judicial Conference Adopts Strategy to Improve Pay for Top Government Officials Representative Rogers' Support of Judiciary Recognized Judicial Conference Asks Congress to Address Areas of Concern in Bankruptcy Reform Bill Caseload Remains High in Federal Courts in Fiscal Year 2000 Many Familiar Faces Among Committee Chairs in 107th Congress New Chair Sees IT Advantages for Courts Judicial Milestones Judicial Boxscore D.C. Federal Courts Celebrate 200th

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Judiciary Spotlights Issues for New Administration, Congress

With a new Administration in place and the chairmen of several key congressional committees changing, Judicial Conference leaders have participated in several meetings to educate these key players on Conference issues. Early meetings have been held with Office of Management and Budget Director Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. and Representative Frank R. Wolf (R-VA), the new chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, State, Justice, the Judiciary and Related Agencies. In conjunction with the March session of the Judicial Conference, meetings were held with Attorney General John Ashcroft and with White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales. In addition, the Chief Justice with Judge David R. Hansen (8^th Cir.) kicked-off a pay summit that included Judiciary, bar association, and other leaders who have an interest in improving compensation for senior members of the three branches of government. See photos on page 2.

Participating in the White House meeting were (photo above left to right) Timothy E. Flanigan, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Counsel; Judge James M. Rosenbaum (D. Minn.); Chief Judge Edward R. Becker (3^rd Cir.); White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales; Chief Judge Juan R. Torruella (1^st Cir.); Chief Judge Charles H. Haden II (S.D. W. Va.); Director of the Administrative Office Leonidas Ralph Mecham; Chief Judge Deanell R. Tacha (10^th Cir.); and Chief Judge Charles R. Butler, Jr. (S.D. Ala.).