The Speaker Pro Tempore. Pursuant To The Rule, The Gentlewoman From Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) And -

Floor Speech

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Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. Mr. Speaker, after hearing the eloquent explanation from the sponsor of the legislation, I thank him for his leadership on this bill and many others.

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This bill would designate a Federal building and courthouse in Laredo, Texas as the ``George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''

Judge Kazen has served on the District Court for the Southern District of Texas since 1979.

From 1996 to 2003, Judge Kazen served as chief judge and, earlier this year he assumed senior status.

Prior to his appointment to the federal bench, Judge Kazen was in the private practice of law.

Earlier in his career he served in the JAG Corp as a U.S. Air Force Captain and worked as a briefing attorney for the Texas Supreme Court.

He received both his bachelor's degree and law degree from the University of Texas.

His career demonstrates his dedication to public service and the law.

I have no objections to the passage of this legislation.

Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2423, as amended, a bill to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 1300 Victoria Street in Laredo, Texas as the ``George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

The Federal building and U.S. Courthouse designation will become effective when Judge George P. Kazen retires and is no longer serving as a federal judge. The bill was introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. CUELLAR) and has bipartisan support.

George P. Kazen was born in Laredo, Texas, in 1940. In 1960, he earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas. He later earned his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1961. Kazen began his professional career as a Briefing Attorney for the Texas Supreme Court in 1961 and 1962. From 1962 to 1965, he was a U.S. Air Force Captain in the JAG Corps. Following his military service, Kazen worked in a private practice in Laredo until 1979.

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter nominated George P. Kazen as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of Texas. Judge Kazen has served on the bench for more than 30 years, including as Chief Judge from 1996 to 2003. On May 31, 2009, he assumed senior status on the court.

During his tenure on the bench, Judge Kazen considered a wide variety of cases. In Luna v. Van Zandt, a 1982 case, he invalidated a Texas statute that allowed for the detaining of individuals perceived as mentally ill for up to 14 days without a commitment hearing. In addition, Judge Kazen has testified before Congress and written several articles on issues of Federalism and the courts. Outside of the courtroom, Judge Kazen is a stalwart of his community, serving on numerous civic organizations in South Texas.

Given Judge George P. Kazen's exemplary public service, it is fitting to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 1300 Victoria Street in Laredo, Texas, as the ``George P. Kazen Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2423.

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Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2423, as amended.

The question was taken.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.

Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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