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Honaker is an elder at Providence (formerly Pilgrim's) Reformed Church in Rock Springs, a small congregation akin to conservative [[Presbyterian]].<ref>http://incolor.inebraska.com/stuart/justice.htm</ref> In 1978, he married the former Shannon Kathleen Casey (born 1957), originally from the state of Cheyenne in Laramie County. The wedding ceremony, held in the home of Shannon's parents, was performed by U.S. District Judge Alan Bond Johnson, based in Cheyenne. Johnson first met Honaker when Honaker headed the indigent defender program. Judge Johnson describes Honaker as having a "warm and attentive demeanor to all persons without regard to their station in life." If confirmed to the court, Honaker and Johnson would be judicial colleagues.<ref>Letter to Craig Thomas from Alan B. Johnson, October 26, 2006.</ref>​

Honaker is an elder at Providence (formerly Pilgrim's) Reformed Church in Rock Springs, a small congregation akin to conservative [[Presbyterian]].<ref>http://incolor.inebraska.com/stuart/justice.htm</ref> In 1978, he married the former Shannon Kathleen Casey (born 1957), originally from the state of Cheyenne in Laramie County. The wedding ceremony, held in the home of Shannon's parents, was performed by U.S. District Judge Alan Bond Johnson, based in Cheyenne. Johnson first met Honaker when Honaker headed the indigent defender program. Judge Johnson describes Honaker as having a "warm and attentive demeanor to all persons without regard to their station in life." If confirmed to the court, Honaker and Johnson would be judicial colleagues.<ref>Letter to Craig Thomas from Alan B. Johnson, October 26, 2006.</ref>​

 

The Honakers have three children. Shannon Honaker is the chairman of the Sweetwater County Republican Party and a trustee of Western Wyoming Community College.<ref>http://www.wygop.org/About/Default.aspx?SectionId=431; http://www.wwcc.wy.edu/admissions/gen-info.htm</ref> The Shannon C. Honaker Scholarship, created by then Representative Honaker in 1991, is given annually to a home-educated student attending the University of Wyoming.<ref>http://www.honakerlaw.com/hl_bio.htmlM</ref>​

The Honakers have three children. Shannon Honaker is the chairman of the Sweetwater County Republican Party and a trustee of Western Wyoming Community College.<ref>http://www.wygop.org/About/Default.aspx?SectionId=431; http://www.wwcc.wy.edu/admissions/gen-info.htm</ref> The Shannon C. Honaker Scholarship, created by then Representative Honaker in 1991, is given annually to a home-educated student attending the University of Wyoming.<ref>http://www.honakerlaw.com/hl_bio.htmlM</ref>​

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==Abortion question==​

==Abortion politics==

 

The [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] under Chairman [[Patrick Leahy]] of [[Vermont]] delayed holding a hearing on Honaker's nomination until February 12, 2008. His nomination was held up in committee. Opposition also came from interest groups which support access to [[abortion]], including [[Planned Parenthood]], among others.<ref>[http://www.benchmarkcampaign.org/php/CircuitCourtNomineeProfile.php?Cnom=24 BenchMark: NCJWs Campaign to Save Roe<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

The [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] under Chairman [[Patrick Leahy]] of [[Vermont]] delayed holding a hearing on Honaker's nomination until February 12, 2008. His nomination was held up in committee. Opposition also came from interest groups which support access to [[abortion]], including [[Planned Parenthood]], among others.<ref>[http://www.benchmarkcampaign.org/php/CircuitCourtNomineeProfile.php?Cnom=24 BenchMark: NCJWs Campaign to Save Roe<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

 

In his legislative races, Honaker was supported by the Wyoming National Right to Life Committee. In 1991 and 1992, Honaker introduced a bill that would prohibit abortion in Wyoming except in cases of [[rape]], [[incest]], or the threat to the survival of the mother. His colleagues defeated the bill both years. Honaker explains that his activity post-dated the [[United States Supreme Court]]'s decision in ''Webster v. Reproductive Health Services,'' a 1989 case from [[Missouri]]. The court then had implied that legislation regarding abortion from the states would be considered. In the 1992 ''[[Planned Parenthood v. Casey]]'' decision, the court closed the door on such proposals. More than forty states considered abortion legislation during that time.<ref name=honaker/>​

In his legislative races, Honaker was supported by the Wyoming National Right to Life Committee. In 1991 and 1992, Honaker introduced a bill that would prohibit abortion in Wyoming except in cases of [[rape]], [[incest]], or the threat to the survival of the mother. His colleagues defeated the bill both years. Honaker explains that his activity post-dated the [[United States Supreme Court]]'s decision in ''Webster v. Reproductive Health Services,'' a 1989 case from [[Missouri]]. The court then had implied that legislation regarding abortion from the states would be considered. In the 1992 ''[[Planned Parenthood v. Casey]]'' decision, the court closed the door on such proposals. More than forty states considered abortion legislation during that time.<ref name=honaker/>​

 

In 1994, Honaker represented a political action committee that sought to get the anti-abortion measure on the ballot as a statewide initiative.<ref>[http://feministlawprofs.law.sc.edu/?m=200703&paged=2 Feminist Law Professors » 2007» March<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The case was reported as ''Wyoming NARAL v. Karpan''. Honaker was not involved in drafting the initiative because he maintained that the ''Casey'' decision had rendered the measure moot. "My client, the PAC, thought otherwise and paid me to represent their views. . . . I won the case, and then the voters of Wyoming voted down the initiative" by a 61-39 percent margin," Honaker explained.<ref name=honaker/>​

In 1994, Honaker represented a political action committee that sought to get the anti-abortion measure on the ballot as a statewide initiative.<ref>[http://feministlawprofs.law.sc.edu/?m=200703&paged=2 Feminist Law Professors » 2007» March<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The case was reported as ''Wyoming NARAL v. Karpan''. Honaker was not involved in drafting the initiative because he maintained that the ''Casey'' decision had rendered the measure moot. "My client, the PAC, thought otherwise and paid me to represent their views. . . . I won the case, and then the voters of Wyoming voted down the initiative" by a 61-39 percent margin," Honaker explained.<ref name=honaker/>​

 

At the time, Honaker said: "Unborn children are human beings, and abortion is the taking of the life of an unborn child who is a member of the human race," a statement which alarmed pro-choice advocates.<ref name=autogenerated2 />​ Honaker has, however, procured support from some abortion supporters for the judicial seat: Robert Shively, a Casper lawyer who formerly represented Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains,<ref>Letter from Robert Shively to Patrick Leahy, July 12, 2007.</ref> Kate Fox of Cheyenne, who formerly represented Wyoming NARAL in the case,<ref>Letter from Kate Fox to Patrick Leahy, July 16, 2007.</ref> and former Democratic state Senator Lisa Kinney<ref>Letter from Lisa Kinney to Patrick Leahy, July 5, 2007.</ref> and Bob Reese,<ref>Bob Reese, Guest Editorial, ''The Casper Star-Tribune,'' February 24, 2008.</ref> and State Representative Don Sullivan of Cheyenne.<ref>Letter from Don Sullivan to U.S. Senator [[Joseph Biden]] of [[Delaware]], February 21, 2008.</ref>​

At the time, Honaker said: "Unborn children are human beings, and abortion is the taking of the life of an unborn child who is a member of the human race," a statement which alarmed pro-choice advocates.<ref name=autogenerated2 />​ Honaker has, however, procured support from some abortion supporters for the judicial seat: Robert Shively, a Casper lawyer who formerly represented Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains,<ref>Letter from Robert Shively to Patrick Leahy, July 12, 2007.</ref> Kate Fox of Cheyenne, who formerly represented Wyoming NARAL in the case,<ref>Letter from Kate Fox to Patrick Leahy, July 16, 2007.</ref> and former Democratic state Senator Lisa Kinney<ref>Letter from Lisa Kinney to Patrick Leahy, July 5, 2007.</ref> and Bob Reese,<ref>Bob Reese, Guest Editorial, ''The Casper Star-Tribune,'' February 24, 2008.</ref> and State Representative Don Sullivan of Cheyenne.<ref>Letter from Don Sullivan to U.S. Senator [[Joseph Biden]] of [[Delaware]], February 21, 2008.</ref>​

 

Eric M. Alden of Wheatland in southeastern Wyoming, a former Republican legislator who opposed Honaker's anti-abortion bills, was nevertheless quoted accordingly in ''The Casper Star-Tribune'':​

Eric M. Alden of Wheatland in southeastern Wyoming, a former Republican legislator who opposed Honaker's anti-abortion bills, was nevertheless quoted accordingly in ''The Casper Star-Tribune'':​

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==Wyoming leaders support Honaker for judgeship==​

==Wyoming leaders support Honaker for judgeship==​

Shortly before his death, Senator Thomas released a statement which asserts that Honaker "has a broad range of experience over the last thirty years in both state and federal courts in Wyoming. While his credentials are certainly outstanding, I am particularly impressed with his character and his values which are deeply rooted in Wyoming. He has the right judicial philosophy &mdash; he knows the importance of interpreting the law while not legislating from the bench.<ref name=casper/>​

Shortly before his death, Senator Thomas released a statement which asserts that Honaker "has a broad range of experience over the last thirty years in both state and federal courts in Wyoming. While his credentials are certainly outstanding, I am particularly impressed with his character and his values which are deeply rooted in Wyoming. He has the right judicial philosophy &mdash; he knows the importance of interpreting the law while not legislating from the bench.<ref name=casper/>​

 

Republican U.S. Senator [[Mike Enzi]] also hailed Honaker's nomination: "[He] will be an excellent jurist . . . He has the experience and the temperament to serve our state and the judiciary well. . . . He knows the difference between legislating—from his experience as a Wyoming representative—and judging—from all his years of court work. Since the criteria is fairness, I want to assure you, Richard is among the fairest people I know."<ref name=enzi>http://enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?​

Republican U.S. Senator [[Mike Enzi]] also hailed Honaker's nomination: "[He] will be an excellent jurist . . . He has the experience and the temperament to serve our state and the judiciary well. . . . He knows the difference between legislating—from his experience as a Wyoming representative—and judging—from all his years of court work. Since the criteria is fairness, I want to assure you, Richard is among the fairest people I know."<ref name=enzi>http://enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?​

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