Floor SpeechNeutral2026-05-11

REMEMBERING WILLIAM GREENBERG

TaxesEnvironmentForeign PolicyDefenseVeterans

Context

On 2026-05-11, Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING WILLIAM GREENBERG" in the Senate.

Full Text

REMEMBERING WILLIAM GREENBERG

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 79 (Monday, May 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 79 (Monday, May 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2195] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING WILLIAM GREENBERG Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today, along with Senator Blumenthal, we honor the life and mourn the loss of Judge William Greenberg, who dedicated more than 50 years of his life to public service in the U.S. military and as a civilian judicial leader. In both Kansas and Connecticut, we understand the value and sacrifice of military service. Judge Greenberg served our Nation proudly, enlisting in the 117th Cavalry, 50th Armored Division of the U.S. Army in 1967 and serving as a cavalry scout. He would go on to commission in the Judge Advocate General's Corps and remained in the Army Reserves for 27 years, eventually retiring as a brigadier general. After his time in uniform, he received his law degree from Rutgers University and said the highlight from his law school experience was his civil procedure class that was taught by future Supreme Court Justice, the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Following a judicial clerkship within his home State of New Jersey's Superior Court, he began a long and distinguished career as a trial lawyer. In 2009, he was appointed Chairman of the Reserve Forces Policy Board, where he advised the Secretary of Defense and led efforts to expand legal support for wounded and injured servicemembers. His dedication earned him the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, the Department of Defense's second-highest civilian honor. In November 2012, he was nominated to the Court of Veterans Appeals by President Barack Obama. Judge Greenberg dedicated his life to serving those who served our country, including founding a program in New Jersey that provides free legal assistance to reservists called to Active Duty and advocating for wounded servicemembers going through the medical discharge process. His commitment rightfully earned him national recognition, including being awarded the Medal of Honor from the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. The Court of Veterans Appeals was created in 1988 by President Reagan to examine claims for service-connected disability compensation and other benefits that are appealed by veterans and their families upon decisions by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the VA Board of Veterans Appeals. This court was the first of its kind and provided a forum for veterans and their dependents to advocate for themselves when they disagreed with VA. Judge Greenberg was the 17th judge appointed to serve on the court and did so faithfully for 13 years. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, then-chairman Senator Johnny Isakson charged Judge Greenberg to ``be an outspoken judge, just as you have been an outspoken lawyer.'' As judge, he lived up to this. He would go on to write more separate opinions than all of his colleagues, besides former Chief Judge Bruce Kasold. Judge Greenberg always looked for ways to improve the lives of his fellow veterans, and he should be an example for each of us to follow as we continue to seek to improve care, benefits, and services for veterans, servicemembers, and their families, caregivers, and survivors. We know his legacy will live on in the veteran community and with the people he loved. He will be sorely missed and our prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues. ____________________

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REMEMBERING WILLIAM GREENBERG Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 79 (Monday, May 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 79 (Monday, May 11, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2195] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING WILLIAM GREENBERG Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, today, along with Senator Blumenthal, we honor the life and mourn the loss of Judge William Greenberg, who dedicated more than 50 years of his life to public service in the U.S. military and as a civilian judicial leader. In both Kansas and Connecticut, we understand the value and sacrifice of military service. Judge Greenberg served our Nation proudly, enlisting in the 117th Cavalry, 50th Armored Division of the U.S. Army in 1967 and serving as a cavalry scout. He would go on to commission in the Judge Advocate General's Corps and remained in the Army Reserves for 27 years, eventually retiring as a brigadier general. After his time in uniform, he received his law degree from Rutgers University and said the highlight from his law school experience was his civil procedure class that was taught by future Supreme Court Justice, the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Following a judicial clerkship within his home State of New Jersey's Superior Court, he began a long and distinguished career as a trial lawyer. In 2009, he was appointed Chairman of the Reserve Forces Policy Board, where he advised the Secretary of Defense and led efforts to expand legal support for wounded and injured servicemembers. His dedication earned him the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, the Department of Defense's second-highest civilian honor. In November 2012, he was nominated to the Court of Veterans Appeals by President Barack Obama. Judge Greenberg dedicated his life to serving those who served our country, including founding a program in New Jersey that provides free legal assistance to reservists called to Active Duty and advocating for wounded servicemembers going through the medical discharge process. His commitment rightfully earned him national recognition, including being awarded the Medal of Honor from the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. The Court of Veterans Appeals was created in 1988 by President Reagan to examine claims for service-connected disability compensation and other benefits that are appealed by veterans and their families upon decisions by the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the VA Board of Veterans Appeals. This court was the first of its kind and provided a forum for veterans and their dependents to advocate for themselves when they disagreed with VA. Judge Greenberg was the 17th judge appointed to serve on the court and did so faithfully for 13 years. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, then-chairman Senator Johnny Isakson charged Judge Greenberg to ``be an outspoken judge, just as you have been an outspoken lawyer.'' As judge, he lived up to this. He would go on to write more separate opinions than all of his colleagues, besides former Chief Judge Bruce Kasold. Judge Greenberg always looked for ways to improve the lives of his fellow veterans, and he should be an example for each of us to follow as we continue to seek to improve care, benefits, and services for veterans, servicemembers, and their families, caregivers, and survivors. We know his legacy will live on in the veteran community and with the people he loved. He will be sorely missed and our prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues. ____________________