{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2024/12/in-case-you-missed-it-judge-wynn-honored-following-his-retirement-announcement/de37e518-383e-49c5-8b3f-36335d38619e", "IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Judge Wynn Honored Following His Retirement Announcement", "2024-12-16", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "Senate", "NC", "Thom Tillis", "T000476", "www.tillis.senate.gov", "tillis", "https://www.tillis.senate.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In January 2024, Fourth Circuit Judge James Wynn announced his retirement, setting off a nomination process for his successor and a series of honors for Wynn, including a retirement party and awards like the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. However, in a blatantly partisan political move, Wynn shockingly reversed his decision because of the election of Donald Trump, violating many decades of precedent and likely igniting a stream of ethics complaints and recusal demands.\n\nJudge Wynn Announces Retirement: \u201cWhite House officials confirmed to McClatchy Tuesday morning that Wynn announced he is taking senior status, meaning he will semi-retire, after 14 years of serving in the 4th Circuit\u2026\u201d [SOURCE: McClatchy]\n\nA Retirement Celebration to Remember: \u201cWhen Judge James A. Wynn Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit announced his semi-retirement, he had no idea that his hometown community had a surprise celebration in store for him. More than 100 people gathered at Providence Baptist Church in Robersonville on March 10 to honor Wynn for his accomplishments and contributions \u2014 and to celebrate his 70th birthday.\u201d[SOURCE: Greenville Daily Reflector]\n\nAwarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine: \u201cThe top secret of the day was the Brown\u2019s presentation of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award to Wynn, being presented on behalf of Governor Roy Cooper. The award is the highest honor awarded to civilians in North Carolina.\u201d [SOURCE: Rocky Mountain Telegram]\n\nCommunity Proclaims \u201cJim Wynn Day\u201d: \u201cOne of Robersonville\u2019s commissioners read a proclamation declaring March 10 as Jim Wynn Day. The Rocky Mount chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity presented Wynn with an award as well.\u201d [SOURCE: Greenville Daily Reflector]\n\nCongressman Don Davis: \u201cOn behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1st District, [Congressman Don] Davis bestowed a special Congressional Recognition to Wynn in honor and celebration of his senior status on the federal bench.\u201d [SOURCE: Rocky Mountain Telegram]\n\nPresident Barack Obama: \u201cI hope today is full of warm memories from your friends and loved ones. And I\u2019m sending you and Jaqueline my very best for all that lies ahead.\u201d\n\nGovernor Roy Cooper: \u201cI am grateful for the work you have done, my best wishes for your very happy birthday and much-deserved semi-retirement.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.tillis.senate.gov/2024/12/in-case-you-missed-it-judge-wynn-honored-following-his-retirement-announcement/de37e518-383e-49c5-8b3f-36335d38619e"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 16.899996902793646, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}