STARRETT WILL BE FINE ADDITION TO
OVERLOADED FEDERAL COURT

Circuit Court Judge Keith Starrett has made quite a name for himself in
southwest Mississippi and throughout the state with his pioneering efforts
in establishing the state's drug court. Now Starrett will have a chance to
exert his influence in the backlogged federal judicial system, following
his recent unanimous Senate confirmation to the U.S. Southern District
Court for Mississippi.

President Bush nominated Starrett to replace Judge Charles Pickering, who
was elevated earlier this year to the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Bush must have seen what residents of Lincoln, Pike and Walthall counties
have known for years - that Starrett is a jurist committed to fairness and
committed to the laws of our nation.

Starrett implemented the state's first felony drug court program here in
southwest Mississippi in 1999 on a lean budget. Now, 11 such courts operate
in the state, and five more are in the works. These courts offer a
treatment-based approach for non-violent drug offenders. And just this
year, the state Legislature passed a bill adding a $10 assessment to fund
drug court operations to fines for felony crimes and some misdemeanors and
an $8 assessment to other misdemeanors.

In crafting and implementing such a program, Starrett displayed wisdom and
foresight that will serve him well on the federal bench, which, in turn,
will serve the common good of our nation and its people.

We extend to Starrett our deep gratitude for his achievements in southwest
Mississippi and our sincere congratulations on his new role in the federal
judicial system.