On February 13, 1979, Cire was nominated by President Jimmy Carter to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 10, 1979, and received his commission on May 11, 1979. Cire served in that capacity until his death on May 5, 1985, in Houston.
