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2001 SESSION

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002659896
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 279 Offered January 24, 2000 Memorializing Congress to amend the United States Constitution to provide for ten-year terms for federal judges. ---------- Patron-- Purkey ---------- Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections ----------

WHEREAS, federal district court judges are currently appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve life terms; and

WHEREAS, a change to that procedure involves a change to the Constitution of the United States as ratified by the states; and

WHEREAS, many people have called for the elimination of life terms for federal trial judges and a move toward reconfirmation following an appropriate length of service; and

WHEREAS, reform of judicial selection has become a major topic in light of the number of vacancies in the federal judiciary; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia General Assembly supports the amendment of the United States Constitution to provide for terms for United States District Court judges; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Congress of the United States is hereby memorialized to send to the states a constitutional amendment that would provide for ten year terms for judges of the United States District Courts.

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates transmit copies of this resolution to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and the members of the Virginia Congressional Delegation in order that they may be apprised of the sense of the Virginia General Assembly in this matter.