Before the Senate Committee on the Judiciary

Executive Business Meeting

Pending Judicial and Executive Nominations

I am extremely pleased that the Committee today will consider six excellent nominations.

My review of the three judicial nominees has convinced me that they will serve the judiciary with competence, fairness, and honor. Judge Gregory’s extensive legal experience, character, and good judgment make him an excellent choice for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. His nomination by President Bush – with the hard work and support of Senators Warner and Allen – is well deserved. It is also, by the way, a clear gesture of bipartisanship by President Bush, which I must add is unprecedented in modern times.

The two nominees for the District of Montana also demonstrate the rewards of bipartisanship. Judge Cebull and Sam Haddon enjoy the support of both Montana senators – Republican Senator Burns and Democrat Senator Baucus. And it’s easy to see why. Judge Cebull has an outstanding record as a lawyer with 28 years of experience in private practice and as a federal magistrate judge. Mr. Haddon has also developed considerable expertise in a broad range of litigation topics – both at the trial and appellate levels. These judges will not only perform their duties with distinction, but also will help ease the excessive caseload currently being handled by Montana’s single full-time federal district judge.

Turning to the executive branch nominations, I could not be more pleased with the nomination of Ralph Boyd to be Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. Mr. Boyd’s knowledge of the law stems from his career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and as a partner at a prestigious Boston law firm. Equally important, Mr. Boyd has devoted considerable energy to volunteer activities that demonstrate not only a familiarity with civil rights issues, but also a commitment to equal justice.

Robert McCallum is similarly well-suited to be Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. He has the judgment and skill to handle the important work of representing the United States, its departments, agencies, and employees in civil litigation.

Last but not least, Eileen O’Connor, the nominee for Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division, is a perfect fit to lead the Division that supervises all federal criminal tax prosecutions. She has worked as a partner for national accounting firms, a corporate tax law specialist for the Internal Revenue Service, a sole practitioner, and a law professor. This broad-based expertise gives her the personal resources necessary to fulfill her responsibilities.

So, Mr. Chairman, I think we have six excellent nominations before the Committee today, and I hope and expect that all of them will be voted out favorably today so the full Senate can proceed quickly to confirmation.

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