[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S1199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMFIRMATION OF RICHARD J. LEON, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE FOR DC

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to Mr. Richard 
``Dick'' J. Leon, the new U.S. District Judge for the District of 
Columbia. I have known Dick for many years, and I was pleased that the 
Senate unanimously confirmed him on February 14, 2002.
  Dick has all the key qualities necessary to be a fine a District 
Judge. He is bright, thoughtful, and ethical. He is a personable 
individual, who cares deeply about the law. I first worked with Dick in 
1987, when I was serving on the Senate/House Select Iran-contra 
Committee. He had been a distinguished Federal prosecutor for the 
Justice Department, when our ranking Republican on the committee, Dick 
Cheney, hired him to serve as our deputy counsel. His performance on 
our staff was outstanding and his legal skills as an investigator, 
counselor, and examiner of witnesses were critical to the work of the 
select committee.
  Dick Leon has distinguished himself as a counselor, handling complex 
criminal and civil litigation. But, his commitment to legal education 
is also noteworthy. Over his 28 year career, Dick has served in various 
positions helping teach others about law. He was a full-time law 
professor for 4 years at St. John's University Law School in New York, 
and he currently serves as an adjunct law professor at both the 
Georgetown University and Catholic University law schools in 
Washington, DC.
  From time to time, Dick has been called to assist Congress with 
highly sensitive matters. Whether it has been counseling a bipartisan 
task force or serving on a congressional commission, he always has 
conducted himself with the utmost integrity. Dick Leon has earned the 
respect of both Republican and Democratic Members alike.
  I have every confidence that Dick is fully prepared for the 
challenges of being a U.S. District Court Judge. I congratulate him on 
his new assignment and wish him; his wife, Christina; and their son, 
Nicholas, all the best.

                          ____________________