Heaney Courthouse Bill Headed to White House to Be Signed Into Law

Press Release

Heaney Courthouse Bill Headed to White House to Be Signed Into Law

A bill to name the Duluth Federal Building after retired U.S. District Court Judge Gerald Heaney has won final approval in the U.S. House of Representatives and is now on its way to the President's desk to be signed into law.

Heaney has had a long and distinguished career on the federal bench, working out of his office in the Duluth Federal building throughout his service. As a federal judge on the 8th Circuit Court, Heaney was involved in a landmark case that desegregated the public schools in St. Louis, Missouri.

Heaney was also a war hero. In World War II, Heaney led troops into battle at Omaha Beach in the Normandy invasion. He continued with his unit until the end of the war when U.S. forces met with allied Russian troops in Germany. Oberstar says Heaney's commitment to public service has left its mark on the nation. "He is enormously respected for his courage and standing and his steadfastness. Just as he pursued the German forces across France and Germany, he pursued justice in the name of all of our fellow citizens as a sitting judge."

Oberstar introduced legislation to rename the Duluth Federal Building for Heaney in January, and the House of Representatives approved Oberstar's bill on February 7th. That same day, Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced identical legislation in the U.S. Senate. The U.S. Senate approved their bill on March 29, and the legislation was sent back to the House of Representatives where it was given final approval by voice vote today. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law in the next few weeks.

Source