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Nomination of Myrna Perez
Madam President, let me close with reference to a vote that we face today.
We have another qualified nominee, Myrna Perez, for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. She is really competent and experienced. She has been handling complex civil litigation and will be ready to serve on the Second Circuit on day one.
She has earned degrees from Yale University, Harvard University, and Columbia Law School. After graduating, she clerked for the U.S. District Court for the District of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. She has dedicated her career to defending Americans' right to vote through her work at the Brennan Center for Justice, where she serves as the director of the Voting Rights and Election section. In this capacity, she has led their efforts to defend the Voting Rights Act and to protect, as John Lewis said, this ``precious, almost sacred right.''
Far too few nominees to the Federal bench have significant experience in handling civil rights and voting rights matters. In Ms. Perez, the Senate has the opportunity to confirm a competent judge who will bring this experience to the bench. Importantly, she understands the difference between being an advocate and a judge. I have every confidence she will serve with diligence, fairness, and impartiality.
And she will also bring demographic diversity to the Second Circuit. She will be the first Latina to serve on that court since former Judge Sonia Sotomayor--now Justice Sotomayor.
Ms. Perez's nomination has received broad support--across the spectrum--from national civil rights groups, leaders in law enforcement, academics, faith leaders, as well as Senators from her own State, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand.
One group of police chiefs and sheriffs and prosecutors sent a letter extolling her virtues. I ask unanimous consent to have it printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
July 9, 2021.Re Law Enforcement Support for Nomination of Myrna Perez to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Hon. Charles Schumer,Majority Leader, U.S. Senate,Washington, DC.Hon. Richard Durbin,Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.Hon. Mitch McConnell,Minority Leader, U.S. Senate,Washington, DC.Hon. Charles Grassley,Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary,U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Majority Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell, Chairman Durbin, and Ranking Member Grassley: As members of law enforcement, across the political spectrum, we write to express our support for the confirmation of Myrna Perez to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The undersigned include current and former police chiefs, sheriffs, and federal, state, and local chief prosecutors from jurisdictions throughout the United States.
Ms. Perez' distinguished legal career includes leading the Brennan Center for Justice's Voting Rights and Election Program, serving as the Civil Rights Fellow at Relman, Dane & Colfax, and clerking for the Honorable Anita B. Brody of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Honorable Julio M. Fuentes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. For nearly two decades, Ms. Perez' primary concern has been honoring the Constitution to ensure that our nation's democracy is inclusive, voting rights are protected, and elections are administered fairly.
As leaders in law enforcement, we are deeply concerned with the rule of law and view public safety as intrinsically linked with the public's confidence and trust in our nation's democracy. Ms. Perez has spent her entire career as a civil rights attorney and public servant, frequently working alongside the law enforcement community in efforts to restore federal and state voting rights for ex-offenders disenfranchised by a felony conviction. We are confident that Ms. Perez will bring diversity of thought and experience to the federal bench and that her conviction for what is fair and just will strengthen the integrity of our nation's judiciary.
We respectfully urge the Senate Committee on the Judiciary to swiftly advance Ms. Perez's nomination and for the Senate to confirm this exceptional nominee without delay.
Sincerely,
Jim Bueermann, Former President, National Police Foundation, Former Police Chief, Redlands, California;
Zachary W. Carter, Former Corporations Counsel, New York, New York, Former U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of New York;
Steve Conrad, Former Police Chief, Louisville, Kentucky;
Barry Grissom, Former U.S. Attorney, Kansas;
Ronald Hampton, Former Executive Director, National Black Police Association;
Peter Holmes, City Attorney, Seattle, Washington;
John Hummel, District Attorney, Deschutes County, Oregon;
James E. Johnson, Former Corporation Counsel, New York, New York, Former Undersecretary for Enforcement, U.S. Department of the Treasury;
Joel Merry, Sheriff, Sagadahoc County, Maine, Former President, Maine Sheriffs Association;
Melba Pearson, Former President, National Black Prosecutors Association, Former Assistant State Attorney, Miami-Dade County, Florida;
Richard Pocker, Former U.S. Attorney, Nevada;
Donald Raley, Former Police Chief, Artesia, New Mexico;
Kathleen O'Toole, Former Police Chief, Seattle, Washington, Former Police Commissioner, Boston, Massachusetts, Former Public Safety Secretary, Massachusetts.
Mr. DURBIN. Several faith leaders also submitted letters, including Rev. Allison DeFoor, who wrote that Ms. Perez is ``an individual of the highest integrity. She is thoughtful and sound in her judgment and committed to principles of justice that transcend politics. She embodies the true meaning of public service and would be an exceptional federal judge.''
Ms. Perez's nomination received bipartisan support in the Judiciary Committee.
In short, she is a seasoned litigator, ready to take on an important job. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting her.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Ohio.
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 187
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