WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed legislation authored by U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin to designate the Clarksburg federal courthouse as the “Irene M. Keeley United States Courthouse.”
The legislation will now proceed to consideration in the House of Representatives.
Keeley was the first woman appointed as a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, a position in which she served for 30 years.
“I am thrilled the Senate unanimously passed our legislation to designate the Clarksburg federal courthouse in honor of Judge Keeley’s career and her decades of service to West Virginia,” Capito said.
“As the first female judge for the Northern District of West Virginia, and in her 30 years of service on the bench, Judge Keeley has earned a reputation as someone who conducts herself with integrity, consistently demonstrates a thorough understanding of the law, and treats each case before her with fairness and thoughtfulness,” Capito said.
“I am thankful we have widespread support for our effort to honor Judge Keeley, and appreciate the unanimous passage of this legislation by my colleagues in the Senate. We are one step closer to making this a reality, and I encourage the House of Representatives to quickly pass this legislation.”
“I’m pleased our bipartisan bill to dedicate the Clarksburg federal courthouse in Judge Keeley’s honor has unanimously passed the Senate,” Manchin said.
“As the former chief judge and first woman to serve on the bench for the Northern District of West Virginia, Judge Keeley has inspired generations of legal professionals through her commitment to justice and integrity. This tribute is beyond deserving, and I will continue working with Senator Capito and our colleagues to ensure the bill is signed into law by the president.”