Grassley has recommended four individuals for the Eighth Circuit bench. They are: U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. Melloy of Cedar Rapids; Iowa District Court Judge Linda R. Reade of Urbandale; Iowa Supreme Court Justice Marsha K. Ternus of Des Moines; and Iowa District Court Judge Robert D. Wilson of Clive.
"I have great confidence that any of these four individuals will make a superb addition to the bench," Grassley said. "Each candidate has the necessary experience both in the courtroom and as a judge to effectively serve on the Eighth Circuit."
Grassley also submitted to the president his nominees for U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of Iowa. They include: James E. Gritzner, Edward W. Remsburg and Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Ross A. Walters, all of West Des Moines.
"These three individuals have extensive experience and are fully qualified to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District," Grassley said.
According to Grassley, President Bush will forward one name for each judgeship to the Senate Judiciary Committee for confirmation hearings.
There are 11 circuit judgeships on the Eighth Circuit, which handles appeals from Iowa and six other states in the Midwest. Grassley is seeking to fill the vacancy on the bench created when Iowa Judge George Fagg announced his retirement in April 1999.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District has three active judges. A full-time spot on the bench will be available in October when Judge Charles R. Wolle plans to assume senior judge status, which allows him to handle a smaller caseload.
Grassley said that the White House will determine the time frame for the president's announcement and confirmation proceedings in the Senate will follow. "As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will do all I can to expedite the process," he said.
Following is information on each of the nominees for the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals:
Honorable Michael J. Melloy
United States District Judge for the Northern District of Iowa since August 1992, Chief Judge from January 1993 to January 2000; United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Iowa from January 1986 to August 1992; University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 1974; Loras College, B.A., 1970.
Honorable Linda R. Reade
Iowa District Court Judge since July 1993; Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa from November 1986 to July 1993; Drake University Law School, J.D., 1980; Iowa State University, M.S., 1973; Drake University, B.A., 1970.
Honorable Marsha K. Ternus
Iowa Supreme Court Justice, appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad in 1993; Private practice in Des Moines with Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor & Fairgrave from 1977 to 1993; Drake University Law School, J.D., 1977; University of Iowa, B.A., 1972.
Honorable Robert Wilson
Iowa District Court Judge, appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad in 1995; Clive City Council member from 1993 to 1995; Served as assistant attorney general for the State of Iowa for nine years; University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 1981; United States Military Academy, B.S., 1973.
Following is information on the nominees for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa:
James Gritzner
Private practice in Des Moines with Nyemaster, Goode, Voigts, West, Hansell & O'Brien, P.C., since 1982; Drake University Law School; J.D., 1979; University of Northern Iowa, M.A., 1974; Dakota Wesleyan University, B.A., 1969.
Edward Remsburg
Private practice in Des Moines with Ahlers, Cooney, Dorweiler, Haynie, Smith & Allbee, P.C., since 1981; University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 1973; University of Iowa, B.B.A., 1970.
Ross A. Walters
United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Iowa since 1994, Chief Magistrate Judge since 1998; Iowa District Court Judge, appointed by Gov. Terry Branstad in 1990; University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 1977; Pennsylvania State University, B.A., 1971.