The Sacramento Chapter of the Federal Bar Association held its annual dinner on February 22. Many members of the bench and bar attended the event at the Firehouse. Outgoing President Tory Griffin of Downey Brand LLP bestowed the Chapter's Outstanding Member Award on Matt Powell of Wilke Fleury Hoffelt Gould & Birney, LLP and Robin Taylor of the Office of the United States Attorney for their tireless service to the Chapter, the federal bar and the community. Congressman Dan Lungren, who served in Congress from 1978 to 1989 and as California Attorney General from 1991 to 1999 before returning to Congress in January, served as the keynote speaker. Congressman Lungren, who is a member of the judiciary, budget and homeland security committees, spoke of his regaining his seniority and being a member of the majority party in the House of Representatives. He also addressed the Eastern District's need for additional judges, explaining that the issue is inextricably intertwined with congressional efforts to split the Ninth Circuit. The congressman also observed that the current congressional calendar, in which Congress meets only from Tuesday to Thursday when in session, has made it more difficult to build bipartisan relationships.

March / April 2005