Governor's Office of General Counsel and Criminal Justice __________MEMO September 25, 1930 TO: Governor William P. Clements, Jr. FROM: David A. Dean (C Austin, Texas 78711 Phone (512) 475-3021 As you recall from our previous discussions, Joe Kilgore agreed to let us know when he got wind of any firm freeze on Pete Lowry's nomination for the federal court. Joe Kilgore called and said a freeze is on. He asked for your help to move Pete Lowry's nomination along. The Senate Judiciary Committee completed their hearings on Pete Lowry on September 23 but has not issued a report with their recommendations. The current minority position of the Judiciary Committee is to block any further nominations this year. Senator Strom Thurmond, South Carolina, ranking minority member of the Judiciary Committee, is the prime mover in whether or not the minority position would allow an exception to the present position and thereby allow Pete Lowry's nomination to go to the floor of the full Senate. Senator Tower is not taking a position on Pete Lowry but probably would go along with the present minority position of blocking any further nominations. Pete Lowry is a fine District Judge and has a good record. He will make a good Federal Judge and if he were to be appointed to the federal bench, this would give you an opportunity to appoint a judge to replace him and he would not have to run for election until 1982. It would appear appropriate for you to contact Senator Strom Thurmond and Senator Tower regarding Pete Lowry's nomination and see if they would be willing to make an exception in this particular case. You would get credit for helping to the extent you could even if you were unsuccessful, and if you were successful, you would have a new District Judge appointment plus the good will of the new Federal Judge. Joe Kilgore has asked that you do any- thing that you can and your telephone call would make him happy. If you are inclined to contact Senator Thurmond, his telephone number is (202) 224-5972. Senator Tower's telephone number is (202) 224-2934. The House and Senate have not agreed on a date of adjournment, but the tentative dates range from September 30 through October 2. blw DAVID A. DEAN General Counsel