[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 48 (Monday, April 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3647-S3648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   The nomination of gregory m. sleet

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I rise to recognize Judge Gregory Sleet, who 
was confirmed by the Senate earlier today as a District Judge for 
Delaware. Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to personally 
greet him or his family when they came to the Capitol for his hearing 
before the Judiciary Committee just over a month ago. But today, it is 
my pleasure to congratulate Judge Sleet, his wife Mary and their two 
children on this achievement.
  Since 1994, Greg Sleet has served Delaware as our U.S. Attorney. From 
that post, he was appointed by Attorney General Janet Reno to serve as 
the Vice-Chair of her Advisory Committee.
  While his record of public service is impressive, so, too, is his 
previous work in the private sector. You see, Judge Sleet served 
Hercules Incorporated, an outstanding Delaware company, as legal 
counsel before becoming our U.S. Attorney. Having worked in the same 
capacity with Hercules some years earlier, I know first-hand that they 
hire only the sharpest young lawyers to handle their legal affairs.
  Mr. President, the Senate needed not even four months to complete our 
work on Judge Sleet's nomination. I thank Judiciary Committee Chairman 
Hatch  for his efforts to review the nomination in such an expeditious 
manner. Such prompt action speaks to the quality of the nominee, and I 
am happy to again congratulate Judge Sleet on the occasion of his 
confirmation by the Senate.
  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I support the confirmation of the 
nomination of Greg Sleet to be the 22d Federal district court judge in 
Delaware.

[[Page S3648]]

  One of the most important duties of any U.S. Senator is the duty of 
advice and consent to the President's judicial appointments. I have 
worked hard throughout my career to ensure that the Senate provides the 
Federal courts with a steady supply of judges to enforce our Federal 
laws.
  But, after serving on the Judiciary Committee for the last 20 years, 
and after serving as U.S. Senator from Delaware for the last 25 years, 
this is my first opportunity to recommend a Federal district court 
judge for Delaware.
  I took this responsibility very seriously. And I have no doubt that 
Greg Sleet is the most qualified and experienced person for this 
position.
  This is the second time President Clinton has put Greg's name through 
the rigors of Senate confirmation. But this is no surprise--he enjoys a 
reputation for impeccable integrity in the Delaware legal community.
  In 1993, when I recommended Greg as U.S. attorney for Delaware, 
President Clinton was wise to follow my advice--he could not have 
nominated a more qualified, well-rounded, experienced Delawarean.
  Greg was confirmed unanimously and flawlessly, and for the past 4 
years has exceeded even my highest expectations.
  And it is not only his distinguished service for Delaware, but also 
the breadth of Greg's experience that has impressed Delawareans, and 
convinced me that he will make a distinguished Federal judge.
  Greg is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law and completed 
his undergraduate work at Hampton University in Virginia.
  He began his legal career in 1976 by serving for 7 years as a 
Philadelphia public defender--arguing before juries and representing 
indigent defendants at all stages of the criminal process--from pre-
trial through the appellate courts.
  He than gained experience in civil litigation, civil rights, estates, 
and criminal defense as an associate in private firms--most recently as 
a sole practitioner for his own firm. I know how tough--and rewarding--
running your own firm can be.
  In 1990, Greg began his service as deputy attorney general for the 
State of Delaware, where he gained experience prosecuting a variety of 
criminal cases at the State level.
  He has practiced corporate and commercial law as well--working as an 
attorney in the legal department for Hercules Inc., where he helped 
manage corporate operations and litigation, and provided advice on 
acquisitions and antitrust matters.
  Since Greg became U.S. attorney, he has demonstrated strong 
leadership as my State's chief Federal law enforcement officer--
  He has developed a solid reputation by prosecuting many significant 
criminal cases, including numerous Federal drug and gun cases.
  He has prosecuted hate crimes and fraud cases more aggressively than 
ever before.
  And, in addition to his accomplishments in the criminal court at the 
Federal level, he has made it a priority to strengthen the civil 
division in Delaware's U.S. attorney's office.
  Mr. President, I will not take up any more time--other than to repeat 
my ``bottom line'' from Greg's Judiciary Committee hearing:
  Greg Sleet's record speaks for itself--the Federal bench needs judges 
like him. His background makes him exceptionally qualified to service 
on the Federal bench, and his record shows that he is tough--as we need 
our Federal judges to be--with the practical abilities and experience 
to do the job.
  I am deeply proud to be associated with Greg's service as Delaware's 
U.S. attorney, and look forward to his service as a U.S. district court 
judge.
  I commend my colleagues for taking the time to review Greg's record 
and thank them for their support for the candidacy of this fine 
nominee.

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