[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     A TRIBUTE TO VICTORIA McMURRAY FOR 41 YEARS OF FEDERAL SERVICE

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                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 22, 2002

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to pay 
tribute to Victoria McMurray for her more than 41 years of service with 
the federal judiciary. Starting as a temporary bankruptcy clerk in 
1961, Ms. McMurray has worked her way up to be chief deputy of 
operations for the Central District of California, U.S. Bankruptcy 
Court.
  Nicky McMurray, as she is known to her friends and co-workers, began 
her service as a temporary clerk in the Riverside division, and was 
made a permanent clerk in 1962. She worked at every position in the 
office and was promoted to deputy-in-charge in 1974. She worked her way 
to become assistant chief deputy of operations for the Central District 
in 1996, while still serving as deputy in charge at the Riverside 
division.
  In her current job, Ms. McMurray manages 65 deputy clerks, who 
support four federal bankruptcy judges and their chambers staff. She 
has been highly praised by many co-workers, from judges to clerks, for 
her efficiency, compassion, sensitivity and consideration for everyone 
who works in the district.
  The Central District, which is largest bankruptcy court in the United 
States, was once ranked fifth worst among the 91 courts across the 
nation. Under Ms. McMurray's leadership, it is now ranked second best. 
She has successfully managed two major relocations of the Riverside 
Division, as well as two technology conversions.
  The Riverside Division under her direction has successfully completed 
a five-year Judicial Workload Equalization Program, pioneered hearings 
by video conference, and is now serving as a pilot project for digital 
court recording for the district.
  Ms. McMurray has been an ex-officio member of the board of directors 
of the Inland Empire Bankruptcy Forum since 1993, and is a member of 
the Bankruptcy Study Group, the National Council of Bankruptcy Clerks, 
and the Federal Court Clerks Association.
  Mr. Speaker, Nicky McMurray is retiring from the federal bankruptcy 
court system. I ask you and my colleagues to please join me in thanking 
her for those 41 years of dedicated public service, and wish her well 
in her future endeavors.

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