[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6] [Senate] [Pages 8325-8327] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]ROBERT K. RODIBAUGH UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURTHOUSE Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 460) to designate the United States courthouse located at 401 South Michigan Street in South Bend, Indiana, as the ``Robert K. Rodibaugh United States Bankruptcy Courthouse''. The Clerk read as follows: S. 460 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF ROBERT K. RODIBAUGH UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURTHOUSE. The United States courthouse located at 401 South Michigan Street in South Bend, Indiana, shall be known and designated as the [[Page 8326]] ``Robert K. Rodibaugh United States Bankruptcy Courthouse''. SEC. 2. REFERENCES. Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the United States courthouse referred to in section 1 shall be deemed to be a reference to the ``Robert K. Rodibaugh United States Bankruptcy Courthouse''. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan). Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Shows) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks). Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 460 designates the United States courthouse in South Bend, Indiana, as the ``Robert K. Rodibaugh United States Bankruptcy Courthouse.'' Judge Rodibaugh served the northern district of Indiana in the area of bankruptcy law since his appointment as a bankruptcy judge in 1960. During his tenure he oversaw the growth of the bankruptcy court from one small courtroom with a part-time referee and a clerk's office of four employees in South Bend to four separate courtrooms located throughout northern Indiana. In 1985, Judge Rodibaugh was appointed Chief Bankruptcy Judge and assumed senior status in 1986. Judge Rodibaugh has fulfilled his duties as a referee and a judge in bankruptcy proceedings with patience, fairness, dedication and legal scholarship, which is most worthy of recognition. It is a fitting tribute to honor him and his accomplishments in this manner today. This marks the third time the House has passed legislation honoring Judge Rodibaugh. I am pleased to note that this bill passed the other body earlier this year, and we can safely say that the third time is the charm. I support this act and urge my colleagues to support it as well. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I join in supporting S. 460, a bill to designate the Federal bankruptcy court in South Bend, Indiana, as the ``Robert K. Rodibaugh United States Bankruptcy Courthouse.'' As my colleagues all know, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Roemer) introduced an identical bill in the 104th and 105th Congress. Unfortunately, the Senate did not consider these measures before it adjourned. Judge Rodibaugh has served the citizens of Indiana with honor and distinction since 1960 and at the age of 80 years is one of the Nation's most senior judges. Judge Rodibaugh is a native of Elkhart County, Indiana, and received his education in the public schools. He graduated from Notre Dame and received his law degree from Notre Dame in 1941. During his judicial career, he has seen the rapid growth of the bankruptcy courts. He has seen the courts grow from one small courtroom with a part-time referee and a clerk's office with four employees to four different courtrooms in the cities of South Bend, Fort Wayne, Gary and Lafayette. Judge Rodibaugh is an active member of the Board of Governors of the St. Joseph County Bar Association, the Boy Scouts of America, the Red Cross and the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. Judge Rodibaugh is noted for his fairness, dedication and legal scholarship. He has set an example for his judicial clerks with his high standards and judicial excellence. It is fitting and proper to honor Judge Rodibaugh with this designation. Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 460 which recognizes the outstanding public service record of Judge Robert Kurtz Rodibaugh, a loyal and dedicated friend, and the senior bankruptcy judge for the South Bend Division of the Northern District of Indiana. It is truly a great honor for me to recognize Judge Rodibaugh, who has consistently demonstrated generosity and selfless dedication to the citizens and legal community of Northern Indiana. Mr. Speaker, as you may recall, I introduced identical legislation which was passed by the House of Representatives during the last Congress. I was honored to sponsor this legislation and pleased that the entire Indiana Congressional delegation cosponsored my bill. Unfortunately, the measure was not considered by the U.S. Senate before the 105th Congress adjourned. However, this legislation was reintroduced by the senior Senator of Indiana, Richard Lugar, and passed by the full Senate last month. This Senate-passed bill, S. 460, now under consideration, designates the recently dedicated courthouse on the corner of Western and South Michigan Streets in South Bend, Indiana in honor of Judge Rodibaugh and his numerous contributions to the legal community. Last year, I also had the privilege to attend the dedication ceremony for the ``Robert K. Rodibaugh United States Bankruptcy Courthouse.'' While this courthouse has already been dedicated, I believe that S. 460 is an appropriate way to express our gratitude for Judge Rodibaugh's life-long dedication to public service. Judge Rodibaugh is recognized by his community and his peers as an honorable man worthy of such a tribute. He is highly regarded throughout the entire country and has been a pillar of the community. Moreover, he is greatly respected by other judges and the bankruptcy bar in Northern Indiana. Since his initial appointment as a referee in bankruptcy in November 1960 and throughout his legal career as a bankruptcy judge, Judge Rodibaugh has served the citizens and legal community of the Northern District of Indiana wisely, efficiently, and honorably. A native of Elkhart County, Indiana, Judge Rodibaugh graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1940 and attended the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he served as the Associate Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review between 1940 and 1941. Judge Rodibaugh received his Juris Doctor degree in 1941. After gaining his admittance to practice law in 1941, Judge Rodibaugh entered active duty as a private in the United States Army. He was discharged in 1946 as a Captain after serving in the infantry and armored forces during World War II. Following his release, Judge Rodibaugh entered private practice in 1946. He also served as the Deputy Prosecuting Attorney of the 60th Judicial Circuit, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, from 1948 to 1950, and again from 1953 to 1957. In addition, Judge Rodibaugh served as Attorney for the St. Joseph County Board of Zoning Appeals between 1958 and 1960. Mr. Speaker, Judge Rodibaugh received the 33 Years of Distinguished Service to Bench and Bar Award from the Bankruptcy Judges of the Seventh Circuit in 1993, the 50 Year Golden Career Award from the Indiana State Bar Association in 1991, and the Notre Dame Law School's Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1991. Some of the significant cases that Judge Rodibaugh has decided include Papelow v. Foley and In the Matter of John Kelly Jeffers. Judge Rodibaugh has always enjoyed the challenge of bankruptcy law and has a special talent for working with corporate reorganizations. Recently, Judge Rodibaugh said: ``I still think bankruptcy law is one of the most fascinating areas of the law. When a reorganization is successful, it is a satisfying feeling.'' Mr. Speaker, throughout his tenure, Judge Rodibaugh has presided over the growth of the bankruptcy court in Northern Indiana from one small courtroom with a part-time referee and a clerk's office of two employees in South Bend, Indiana, to four different courtrooms in the cities of South Bend, Fort Wayne, Gary, and Lafayette, Indiana, with four full-time judges and a clerk's office of over forty employees. According to his colleague, Judge Harry Dees, also a bankruptcy judge for the Northern District of Indiana: ``Judge Rodibaugh never complained about all the weekly traveling, he just did it.'' Moreover, Judge Rodibaugh has fulfilled his duties as a bankruptcy judge with patience, fairness, dedication and legal scholarship which is most worthy of recognition. His high standards have benefitted the many law clerks and judicial personnel who have served under his tutelage, the lawyers who have practiced before the bankruptcy court, as well as the citizens residing in the Northern District of Indiana. In 1985, Judge Rodibaugh was appointed Chief Judge of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana. He served in that position until he assumed full-time recall status as a senior judge one year later. Today, Judge Rodibaugh continues in this position, carrying a full case load, and he has no plans to cut back on his work with the court. Currently, Judge Rodibaugh and his wife, Eunice, live in South Bend, Indiana. [[Page 8327]] Mr. Speaker, it is important for me to indicate that the firm of Panzica Development Company with Western Avenue Properties, LLC, graciously agreed to name the new privately-owned courthouse building in Judge Rodibaugh's honor, owing to his unblemished character and numerous professional achievements in the bankruptcy field. I am confident that the ``Robert K. Rodibaugh United States Bankruptcy Courthouse'' is an appropriate title for the new bankruptcy court facility. Judge Radibaugh is a shining example of the importance of public service, whose tireless contributions provide an invaluable service to our community. I am confident that Judge Rodibaugh will continue to play a constructive and important role in our community, and will continue to serve as a powerful inspiration to all of those who come into contact with him. Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Franks) that the House suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill, S. 460. The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor thereof) the rules were suspended and the Senate bill was passed. A motion to reconsider was laid on the table. ____________________