Pelosi Announces Naming of James R. Browning United States Courthouse

November 20, 2004

Washington, DC - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced that the omnibus spending bill the House of Representatives passed today includes a provision sponsored by Pelosi naming the U.S. Courthouse located at 95 Seventh Street in San Francisco as the “James R. Browning United States Courthouse.”

“It is fitting that Judge Browning's achievements will be acknowledged by naming the historic federal building at Seventh and Mission Streets in his honor,” Pelosi said.  “I am pleased that Judge Browning can witness this much-deserved tribute to his lifetime of public service.”

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed James R. Browning to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and he became Chief Judge in 1976.  During his tenure, Judge Browning focused on improving the function of the Ninth Circuit by adding judges to the Court of Appeals, cutting the time required to decide appeals in half, eliminating a large case backlog, and improving communication and rapport among the justices.  His innovations have been adopted by other circuit courts, and his achievements have been recognized with several prestigious awards.

Judge Browning was the longest serving judge in the history of the Ninth Circuit.  Judge Browning stepped down as Chief Judge in 1988 but did not retire, remaining an active circuit judge and a member of myriad committees and judicial groups until he took senior status in September 2000.  

To see a photo of Judge Browning's reaction to learning of the courthouse naming in his honor, click here

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