[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S12634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONFIRMATION OF JUDGE WILLIAM P. GREENE, JR., AS ASSOCIATE JUDGE, U.S. 
                       COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS

 Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I want to express my enormous 
delight that Judge William P. Greene, Jr., was recently confirmed for 
the position of associate judge for the U.S. Court of Veterans Appeals. 
Judge Greene brings to this job a lifetime of experience in the armed 
services and the law, and I believe President Clinton made an excellent 
choice in nominating him for this position.
  Bill is extremely qualified to serve on the court. After graduating 
from Howard University School of Law in 1968, he joined the U.S. Army, 
where he proudly served for 25 years. Bill was an officer in the U.S. 
Army Judge Advocates Group Corps, and earned the Legion of Merit, 
Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal more than once.
  Since 1993, Bill has served as an immigration judge for the 
Department of Justice in Baltimore. His leadership skills and ability 
to make clear, decisive, and just decisions have been well tried--and 
well proven.
  In addition to his many other fine attributes, Bill has another that 
makes me especially proud of him--he is a native West Virginian. Bill 
was born in Bluefield, WV, and lived there until he was 10. He grew up 
in a military family and although they moved around to many different 
places, Bill always considered West Virginia home, and returned to West 
Virginia to attend West Virginia State College.
  Bill's father was a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and 
was awarded the Silver Star for valor. So it is no surprise to me that 
Bill possesses an enormous sense of patriotism and pride in his 
country. The learning experience of growing up in a military family, 
combined with the experience of his own military career, will be 
enormously helpful to him in the job that lies ahead.
  Everyone who has worked with me on the Senate Committee on Veterans' 
Affairs knows that I have long been a supporter of the court, so you 
can be sure that the quality of those who serve there is important to 
me. I am confident that Judge Greene will bring to the court the 
wisdom, judgment, and sensitivity so necessary for the court's vital 
work. In doing so, he will serve both our country and his fellow 
veterans well.

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