Vol. 36, Number 10—October 2004

Friends of Judiciary Honored

At a Supreme Court reception last month, the Judicial Conference honored three long-time friends of the Judiciary. They were Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), Representative C. W. (Bill) Young (R-FL), and Senator Ernest F. Hollings (D-SC). All three receivedresolutions from the Judicial Conference, thanking them for their many contributions to the federalJudiciary.

Stevens ends his term as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee at the end of this Congress, a position he held from 1997 to 2001 and again in the 108th Congress. "Chairman Stevens has always shown tremendous regard for the Judiciary in his willingness to support the fiscal needs of the Third Branch," the Conference resolution read, in part. "He has been a strong advocate of an independent Judiciary and has fostered these beliefs through his commitment to ensuring that it receive adequate funding."  

Young also is in his final term as a committee chair. He has been chair of the House Appropriations Committee since 1998. The Conference noted that Young "has always been out front in his support for not only adequate annual appropriations but has consistently backed the Judiciary's emergency needs ranging from terrorist trials to shortfalls in Defender Services. Bill Young has been an advocate for equitable judicial compensation and through the appropriations process has worked to provide appropriate compensation to judges."

Hollings, who retires from office at the end of the 108th Congress, has been a member of the Senate for over 38 years, serving for the last 27 years as chairman or ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies. The Conference resolution called Hollings "a staunch ally of the Judiciary, advancing both the fiscal and functional operations of the Third Branch. Senator Hollings' advocacy for the needs of the Judiciary have been far-reaching, addressing annual funding or critical supplemental needs, as well as supporting substantial legislative provisions to enhance the Judiciary's administration of justice."