Tribute to Denver District Attorney William Ritter, Jr.

TRIBUTE TO DENVER DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILLIAM RITTER, JR. -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 29, 2004)

Ms. DEGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the notable accomplishments and extraordinary service of Denver District Attorney William (Bill) Ritter, Jr. This eminent public servant merits both our recognition and esteem as his impressive record of leadership and invaluable service has done much to improve the lives of our residents.

Bill Ritter's standing within our community is unrivaled. His tenure has been defined by not only the skills and faculties that distinguish district attorneys, but by a deep and abiding commitment to justice, high ethical standards and professionalism.

Bill Ritter was born on a farm in Colorado and is one of twelve children. He worked construction and used work-study programs to put himself through Colorado State University where he graduated with honors. He subsequently earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Colorado School of Law and served as a former Assistant United States Attorney and Chief Deputy District Attorney. Bill married Jeannie Lewis Ritter and they have raised a family of four: August (William), Abraham, Samuel and Natalie. In 1987, Bill interrupted his legal career to manage a food distribution and nutrition center in Zambia for three years.

Former Governor Roy Romer appointed Bill Ritter to serve as District Attorney for the Second Judicial District of Colorado in 1993 and he has since been reelected District Attorney three times by the people of Denver. Bill understands that he has a public trust of considerable magnitude and he has been resolute in his commitment to protect the safety and welfare of our citizens. He and his staff are responsible for the prosecution of more than 5,000 felony and 15,000 misdemeanor cases every year. But for Bill Ritter, protecting the integrity of the legal process matters and he has done much to bring greater transparency and innovation to the District Attorneys Office. Whether helping our senior citizens fight scams, cracking down on identity theft and check-fraud, advocating for reasonable gun laws, fighting for needed funding to place juvenile offenders in effective programs, or advocating for responsible domestic violence laws, Bill Ritter has provided serious and thoughtful leadership on issues of public consequence. He has created a number of forward-thinking programs including the Denver Drug Court, Victims Services, Community Prosecution, Juvenile Diversion and the Courtrooms to Classrooms program. Many of these programs serve as models for other judicial districts in the nation.

Bill Ritter is nationally recognized on issues ranging from community justice, juvenile diversion and white-collar crime. He has served as faculty for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, The National District Attorneys Advocacy Center and the National Conference on Juvenile Justice. He is past president of the Colorado District Attorneys Association, Chairman of the Board of Project P.A.V.E. (Promoting Alternatives to Violence Through Education), President of the American Prosecutors Research Institute and is a board member of the National District Attorneys Association, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and the Mile High United Way.

Bill Ritter has burnished a reputation as a powerful advocate for victims' rights and new approaches to both prevent and deter crime. But more importantly, he is a decent human being and his career has been defined by the courage to adopt new ideas and take the necessary risks to implement them. His efforts have made a real difference and under Bill Ritter's leadership, the Denver District Attorney's Office has made a positive impact on our justice system and improved the quality of life in our community.

Bill Ritter's tenure as Denver District Attorney is quickly drawing to a close. His leadership has been exemplary and he has labored diligently to preserve and improve the administration of justice. His contributions are rich in consequence and on behalf of the citizens of the 1st Congressional District, I wish to express our gratitude and look forward to his continued involvement in our civic life.

Please join me in commending William Ritter, Jr., a distinguished citizen and public servant. His character, leadership and accomplishments command our respect and serve to build a better future for all Americans.