[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 116 (Thursday, July 31, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S10603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NOMINATION OF PAUL MICHAEL WARNER

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise in support of the nomination of Paul 
M. Warner of Salt Lake City, who has been renominated by President Bush 
for the position of U.S. attorney for the District of Utah.
  Paul Warner has had a remarkable career in public service. After 
graduating from the J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1976, he enlisted in 
the U.S. Navy Reserve Judge Advocate General Corps, where he served as 
both prosecutor and defense counsel. From 1982 to 1989, Mr. Warner 
served in the Utah Attorney General's Office, where he did tremendous 
work on both civil and criminal matters. In 1983, he enlisted with the 
Utah Army National Guard, Judge Advocate Branch, where he has risen to 
the rank of colonel. Since 1989 he has served in the U.S. Attorney's 
Office for the District of Utah, where he has worked on both civil 
litigation and criminal prosecution. He became the U.S. Attorney for 
the District of Utah in 1998 and has served ably in that office ever 
since.
  I think it is important to have a career prosecutor with the 
reputation and ability of Paul Warner to lead the Federal law 
enforcement effort in Utah. He is a man committed to the rule of law 
and has a proven track record on the problems that affect Utah, notably 
methamphetamine proliferation and illegal reentry by criminal aliens.
  Paul Warner has been able to be so effective because he has developed 
a great working relationship with Federal, State, and local law 
enforcement personnel. I believe that without exception he is respected 
and trusted as a skillful prosecutor and an able administrator.
  Paul Warner has had several notable career achievements. Most notably 
he rose to the Olympic challenge of presiding over one of the largest 
peace time mobilizations of law enforcement personnel in United States 
history. I can't give him enough credit for facilitating the 
cooperation of Federal, State, and local law enforcement personnel that 
allowed the Salt Lake Olympic Games to run so smoothly. It was a 
tremendous undertaking, and the State of Utah, the United States of 
America, and the World Olympic Community owe a debt of gratitude to 
Paul Warner for negotiating the Herculean task of facilitating a safe 
environment that allowed the Salt Lake City Olympic Games to be enjoyed 
by so many throughout the world.
  Paul Warner has also used his legal acumen and personal relationships 
to defuse several tense situations, including the controversies 
surrounding the Federal land use policies affecting Utah and the 
imposition of background checks at the Salt Lake International Airport 
following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
  Paul Warner has been honored on several occasions for his commitment 
to public service. He is the recipient of the United States Army 
Commendation Medal for meritorious service during Operation Desert 
Storm for legal work done in mobilizing members of the Utah Army 
National Guard. He later received two oak leaf clusters for meritorious 
service as Staff Judge Advocate. Mr. Warner was given a Special 
Achievement Award from the U.S. Department of Justice, and a Special 
Commendation from U.S. Attorney, District of Utah, for outstanding work 
as First Assistant U.S. Attorney. Finally, he has received the 
Community Relationship Award from the Salt Lake City branch of the 
NAACP.
  Paul Warner is a man of integrity and honesty. He is a great American 
who has spent his career in public service. I can't say enough about 
this honorable and talented man. I have no doubt that he will continue 
to be an able U.S. attorney. He deserves a speedy confirmation by this 
committee and by the full Senate. I sincerely hope that my colleagues 
will join me in supporting his renomination to be the United States 
Attorney for the District of Utah.

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