by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The Florida Theatre was filled with family, friends, colleagues and guests May 21 for the investiture of Marcia Morales Howard as a District Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Howard’s parents came to the United States from Cuba with only $10 and the clothes on their backs. They had three children, all of whom went to college, and Howard credited her parents for guiding her to a career in the law and to the bench.
“I would not be here today were it not for my parents. Not for the obvious reason,” she said. “They could have been bitter about their losses but they always impressed on us how important it is to be American citizens. That is my favorite part of this job. Naturalization ceremonies open the door of infinite opportunity solely by being an American citizen.
“Being a citizen also brings an obligation to serve America in some way. That’s what brought me down this path.”
United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan closed his remarks in Spanish and said, “Judge Howard is the future of our court. The future is bright indeed.”
Howard has been assigned to Ft. Myers and will move with her family this summer. The Middle District stretches from Jacksonville to Ft. Myers and includes federal courthouses in Tampa, Ocala and Orlando.