Speech #960325868

Here is a lady who. with the support and consent of her attorney husband. George Watai. and her family. returned to college after that family was raised. and through diligence and hard work. received her juris doctor degree. became a practicing attorney in the city of Gardena. and in June of 1978 was appointed to the municipal court bench in Los Angeles County. Judge Watais private law practice was directed toward immigration law. probate. business. domestic. and workers compensation matters. and she created for herself a most impressive and respected reputation. not only amongst the people whom she assisted. but also amongst her peers. She is a person with deep and sincere humanitarian convictions and this element of her being was always foremost in her law practice. Her achievement is outstanding. not only as a woman. but as an American of Japanese descent. She is the first woman from Gardena and the second Japanese woman in the State of California to receive an appointment to the bench. The list of associations and organizations with which she has been associated is most impressive. She has been very active in bar association activities. serving on the immigration and naturalization section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. the individual rights and responsibilities committee and the judicial qualifications committee of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. the California Women Lawyers Association. the Association of Immigration and Naturalization Lawyers. and is a charter member of the National Women Judges Association. In addition to all this. she finds time to be involved in the Gardena community. serving on numerous committees and commissions. and has received many awards and certificates of appreciation for her dedication and valuable contributions. The Honorable Madge S.