[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 106 (Thursday, July 18, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S8327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that, as in 
executive session, the Senate immediately proceed to the consideration 
of the following Executive Calendar nominations, No. 513, James Jones; 
No. 576, Donald Molloy.
  I further ask unanimous consent that the nominations be confirmed, en 
bloc, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, en bloc, and 
the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action; that any 
statements relating to any of the nominations appear at the appropriate 
place in the Record, and the Senate then immediately return to 
legislative session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The nominations were considered and confirmed, en bloc, as follows:


                             the judiciary

       James P. Jones, of Virginia, to be U.S. District Judge for 
     the Western District of Virginia.
       Donald W. Molloy, of Montana, to be U.S. District Judge for 
     the District of Montana.


                      nomination of james p. jones

  Mr. ROBB. Mr. President, one characteristic shared by most top-notch 
judges is patience. It is an attribute which James P. Jones, the 
President's nominee to be United States District Judge for the Western 
District of Virginia, has in abundance. This is fortunate, because he 
has waited a very long time for this day. Jim was first nominated to be 
a Federal district judge over 16 years ago, but his nomination became 
entangled in presidential politics and never came to the Senate floor 
for consideration. That was 1980. He was recommended for this position 
again last summer, renominated last December, favorably reported 
unanimously by the Judiciary Committee in March, and has been pending 
on the Executive Calendar ever since. I know he's relieved to have 
finally completed this torturous journey, and I'm pleased that he will 
finally be able to demonstrate what those of us acquainted with him 
have known for years--that he will make an exemplary judge.
  I have known Jim Jones for over 20 years. His experience will help 
him discharge the responsibilities which will be placed upon him. He's 
been a litigator in private practice for almost 28 years. He has served 
as a state senator, assistant attorney general for the Commonwealth, 
and law clerk in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  In addition to his keen intellect and superior legal skills, Jim has 
the character and even disposition crucial for a successful jurist. Not 
only is Jim well-suited for the position, he has dedicated much of his 
life outside his legal practice to public service. He has been involved 
in many community and bar-related activities, and he has recently 
served as president of the Virginia Board of Education.
  I was pleased to be given the opportunity to recommend Jim Jones to 
the President for this nomination, and I am confident that Jim will 
serve with distinction as a Federal district court judge in the western 
district of Virginia. I'm glad he will finally have a chance to serve.
  With that Mr. President, I thank my colleagues for supporting this 
nomination and I yield the floor.

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