09.22.12

Juneau Courthouse Bill Passes Senate

Murkowski Sees Robert Boochever Courthouse as “Fitting Memorial”

The U.S. Senate today unanimously passed HR 4347, legislation to name the United States Courthouse in Juneau after Alaskan jurist Robert Boochever.  Senator Murkowski – co-sponsor of companion Senate legislation on this issue – had the following statement after passage:

“I am thrilled that the Senate unanimously agreed to designate the Juneau Courthouse as the Robert Boochever United States Courthouse.  We lost him last October, and I believe naming the courthouse after him is a fitting memorial for one of the pioneers of our legal community, and the first Alaskan to serve on the Ninth Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals.

“He served on the Alaska Supreme Court during one of its most productive periods, defining the legal principles that govern our young State – especially that of privacy for Alaskans. It is very appropriate that the Juneau building where the law is debated and enforced will bear the name of such a legal architect for our state and people.”

In addition to his legal work and impact, Judge Boochever was active in the Juneau community working with the American Red Cross, Chamber of Commerce and Juneau Rotary Club. In 1974, he was named Juneau Man of the Year.

The legislation now heads to the President’s desk.