Judiciary Prepares Y2K Continuity Plans

The Judiciary is preparing for Y2K like it is a natural—but avoidable—disaster. Preventive steps are being taken now, and continuity planning will help minimize any service interruptions later. According to Howard Grandier, Y2K Program Manager at the Administrative Office, the federal Judiciary is prepared for January 1, 2000, and especially January 3, when employees return to work in the new millennium. “The vast majority of courts have implemented the Y2K versions of their nationally supported computer applications,” said Grandier, “and nearly all court-developed software programs have been checked and are Y2K compliant. But we’re still asking courts to make back-up plans to conduct business just in case court computers or outside systems are disrupted.” It is impossible to be certain all computers will function perfectly as the year rolls over to 2000. For example, the Judiciary regularly interacts with the computer systems of the General Services Administration, the Treasury Department, and Social Security Administration. Y2K incompatibilities in any of these systems, in court programs infected with bad data, or even in the computer systems of local power companies could be overlooked and result in an interruption of service. Back-up or continuity plans address that possibility. Courts are asked to consider what services or products customers would miss most in the event of any system failure and then develop workable alternatives to guarantee there is no interruption in these critical services. Information on Y2K business continuity plans is available to all courts on the Judiciary’s internal Y2K website.

Conference Honors Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges

Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges completed his term as chair of the Judicial Conference Executive Committee on September 30. "With deep appreciation, respect and admiration," the Conference recognized "his exceptional intellect, keen analytical ability, and statesman-like demeanor" in a resolution presented to Hodges by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist at a reception in his honor.

A man of "impeccable integrity," the resolution read, "Judge Hodges has been a superb Executive Committee Chair and an outstanding leader, who never wavered from the high-quality professionalism that is his standard. He set the tone for each Committee meeting with his thorough preparation, receptiveness to views of other members, and insightful comments. Through his astute grasp of the issues, and quick analysis of concerns expressed during Committee discussions, he was consistently able to forge Executive Committee consensus."

Hodges was chair of the Executive Committee from October 1, 1996, to October 1, 1999, and a member of the Committee from 1994. He also served on a variety of Conference committees, including three years as chair of the Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules. He was only the second district judge in the history of the Conference to be appointed chair of the Executive Committee.

Full Slate of Nominees for U.S. Sentencing Commission

Nominations have been received by the Senate for all seven commissioner vacancies on the seven-member U.S. Sentencing Commission, and on October 7 the Senate Judiciary Com-mittee held a hearing to consider the nominations. The nominees are

Judge Diana E. Murphy (8^th Cir.), for the remainder of the term expiring October 31, 1999, to replace Judge Richard P. Conaboy (M.D. Penn.), who resigned, for a term expiring October 31, 2005, and to be Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, replacing Judge Richard P. Conaboy.

Judge Ruben Castillo (N.D. Ill.), for a term expiring October 31, 2003, to replace Michael Gelacak, whose term expired.

Judge Sterling R. Johnson, Jr. (E.D. N.Y.), for a term expiring October 31, 2001, to replace Judge Julie E. Carnes (N.D. Ga.), whose term expired.

Judge Joe Kendall (N.D. Tex.), for a term expiring October 31, 2001, to replace Judge David A. Mazzone (D. Mass.), whose term expired.

Michael O'Neill, assistant professor of law, George Mason University School of Law; for a term expiring October 31, 2003, to replace Judge Deanell Reece Tacha (10^th Cir.), whose term expired.

Judge William Sessions, III (D. Vt.), for a term expiring October 31, 2003, to replace Michael Goldsmith, whose term expired.

John R. Steer, General Counsel of the Sentencing Commission, for the remainder of the term expiring October 31, 1999, to replace Wayne Anthony Budd, who resigned, and for a term expiring October 31, 2005