Judge Edward Becker Passed Away May 19th

Legendary judge Edward R. Becker passed away at the age of 73 after a battle with prostate cancer on Friday, May 19, 2006. He was a senior judge at the Third Circuit and from 1998 to 2003 was the chief judge of the Third Circuit. Deeply admired and respected among lawyers, Judge Becker was widely acclaimed as an exceptional judge and wonderful person.

Just one quote from a concurring opinion by Judge Becker in Abdulrahman v. Ashcroft, 330 F.3d 587 (3d Cir. 2003) in which the Third Circuit begrudgingly upheld an IJ's denial of an asylum claim:

The Immigration Judge's statements barely cross the line into the realm of fact
finding, although Judge Shadur is correct that, in view of our extremely narrow
standard of review, we are constrained to view them as so doing. While I
join in Judge Shadur's opinion, I write separately to highlight these statements
and to express my extreme discomfiture with them, as they border on the
cavalier. Indeed, in my view, they come extremely close to constituting
reversible error.

Special thanks to Nicole for pointing out Judge Becker's passing and how it would be appropriate to post a respectful note.