Judge Priscilla Owen Followup

OK, so it's more of a prequel than a followup.

In May of 2001, I went to Washington DC to the National Day of Prayer event being held there at the Cannon House Office Building. The National Day of Prayer Task Force is headed up by Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family's Dr. James Dobson (who is, himself, probably more hated by the Hard Left than all of the world's evil dictators combined).

It was a wonderful morning, filled with strong Christian speakers and inspiring music. The keynote speaker was Chuck Colson, first of Watergate infamy, now head of Prison Fellowship Ministries. Following his talk and some words by Shirley Dobson and Dr. Dobson, the event moved into the heart of why we were there: Prayer.

Each branch of the government was given time. The government branch had a representative speak on what it's like to be part of that branch and what the needs (especially prayer needs) are for the people who work there. Then a member of the clergy came up and led prayer for that branch of the government.

Mel Martinez, then Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, spoke for the Executive Branch. I don't remember who spoke for the Legislative branch. An Admiral was supposed to speak for the military, but wasn't able to make it, so he sent the Navy's Chaplain Barry Black. Chaplain Black didn't speak so much as he preached! But that's another story (and he is now out of the military and serves as the Chaplain of the Senate).

Speaking for the Judicial branch was a judge from Texas that I'd never heard of before, but I remembered her name after that day. Priscilla Owen.

I don't remember the exact things she said (it's been four years), but I remember how impressed I was with her. She was articulate, confident in the things she said, and seemed to be a strong, godly woman. The prayers she desired for the judiciary were for wisdom and for faithfulness to the law and to the work of the courts. No requests for specific decisions or directions for the courts to take. Just that they would do their jobs well.

I was so thrilled, shortly after the National Day of Prayer, when I heard that she had been nominated by President Bush to one of the Circuit Courts. And it's been so disheartening to hear the way this faithful judge has been dragged through the mud by agenda-driven Democrats in the Senate. She did not deserve what the obstructionist have done to her. No doubt (to me) her faith is what has given her the strength to hang on through all of it.

I salute her steadfastness and look forward to the way her presence on the federal bench will be felt.