HOUSE PASSES REP. SUSAN DAVIS' BILL TO NAME NEW COURTHOUSE

December 27, 2012 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis moved to put the finishing touches on the new federal courthouse downtown when her bill to name the building passed the House of Representatives. After extensive input from the San Diego legal community, Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to have Judges James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep on San Diego’s new federal courthouse.

“Displaying true dedication to public service, both Judge Carter and Judge Keep worked tirelessly on and off the bench to better the San Diego community,” said Davis. “The new San Diego Courthouse will be a fitting testament to their careers and inspire others in the community to continue to follow their path.”

As the representative for the 53rd Congressional District that includes downtown, Davis put the question to San Diego’s legal community. After extensive discussion, the names of two trailblazing jurists emerged.  Judge James M. Carter was instrumental in establishing the Southern District of California and was its first Chief Judge. Judge Judith N. Keep was the first female Chief Judge of the Southern District.

The San Diego County Bar Association endorsed Davis’s legislation. In a letter of support, SDBCA President Marvin E. Mizell wrote: “Judge Carter and Judge Keep served the public with distinction and truly reflected the San Diego legal community’s shared values of excellence and integrity.”

The San Diego City Council unanimously approved a resolution in favor of Davis’s bill.

With passage in the House, the bill heads to the Senate for consideration.