J. Marvin Jones Federal Building and Mary Lou Robinson United States Courthouse

Floor Speech

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Mr. THORNBERRY. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the gentleman from Pennsylvania yielding and the support of the gentleman from Pennsylvania and the gentlewoman from Nevada for this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I introduced this legislation with a near unanimous request of the legal community and the broader leadership in the Texas Panhandle.

Since 1980, the Federal building and courthouse in Amarillo, Texas, has been known as the J. Marvin Jones Federal Building. Judge Jones led a remarkable life. He served in this House from 1917 to 1940, including as chair of the Committee on Agriculture. He was then appointed to the court of claims, took a leave of absence to serve in the Roosevelt administration during World War II, and went back to the court of claims, where he was the chief judge there from 1947 until his retirement in 1964.

As I said, it was a remarkable life, but there is another remarkable life that has made a lasting impact on the cause of justice in the Northern District of Texas, and it has also been an inspirational life.

Judge Mary Lou Robinson has served as a judge, as Members have heard, for more than 60 years, more than 35 years of which has been as a Federal district judge in the Northern District of Texas.

She is a pioneer:

She attended and graduated law school at the University of Texas at a time when very few women applied or were admitted to the law school at all.

When she went into private practice in Amarillo, she was one of two female attorneys practicing there.

In 1955, Judge Robinson became the first woman in Amarillo history to serve as a judge higher than the justice of the peace level and was the first Potter County court at law judge. Up until that time in Texas, women could not serve on juries.

She was elected State district court judge in 1960.

As you have heard, in 1973, she became an associate justice of the Seventh State Court of Appeals, making her the first female appellate judge in the entire State of Texas. She later became the chief justice of that court.

In 1979, Judge Robinson was nominated and confirmed to the Federal bench, again being only the second woman to serve as a U.S. district judge in Texas.

Then, day in and day out, for nearly 40 years, Judge Robinson presided over Federal and criminal cases with fairness and with high expectations fitting the American legal system. She took senior judge status in 2016.

As Members have heard, she has been honored repeatedly, such as the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for Professional Excellence from the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and the Texas Lawyer magazine's one of 100 Legal Legends in the State.

But I will say, Mr. Speaker, that Judge Mary Lou Robinson's influence extends even further than the trailblazing and remarkable longevity that her legal career would indicate.

Throughout it all, Judge Robinson has upheld the highest standards of legal ethics and professionalism, being a role model not only for those in the legal system, but for men and women throughout the region.

She is fair, but she is tough. And here I can speak from a bit of personal experience that no lawyer wanted to go unprepared into her courtroom. With her razor-sharp intellect and knowledge of the law, she was always well prepared and probably knew more about the law of the case than the lawyers arguing it. No one ever doubted that all sides of the case would get a fair hearing.

At the same time, those who know her off the bench know her to have a great sense of humor, compassion, and a warm human touch.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5772 would add Judge Mary Lou Robinson's name to the Federal building and courthouse in Amarillo, Texas, so that it would be known as the J. Marvin Jones Federal Building and Mary Lou Robinson United States Courthouse.

Marvin Jones served in all three branches of our Federal Government. Judge Robinson has served in the judicial branch of the State and Federal Government for more than 60 years. This designation honors each of them in a way that is fitting to each of them.

Adding Judge Robinson's name to that of Marvin Jones will not only honor the careers of two remarkable individuals, it will help inspire all of us to reach toward their high standards of integrity, professionalism, and service to our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I again thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania for yielding.

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