[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 25, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S114]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO PAUL MICHAEL WARNER

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a wonderful 
man, brilliant lawyer, and dedicated public servant--Mr. Paul Michael 
Warner. Paul has been serving as the United States Attorney for the 
District of Utah for almost 8 years, and will be stepping down this 
week to continue his work in other capacities within the legal system. 
As he embarks on a new chapter of life, I wanted to take this 
opportunity to honor him for the leadership he has provided, and 
commend him for his dedication to our country's legal system.
  Paul was nominated by President Bill Clinton on July 29, 1998 to be 
the United States Attorney for Utah. He was unanimously confirmed by 
the United States Senate just one month later and by the end of August 
he had assumed the full duties of this important position. After 
President George W. Bush took office, he recognized the tremendous 
leadership Mr. Warner was providing and reappointed him to this 
position. He was then reconfirmed once again by the United States 
Senate and has continued to serve with strength and honor.
  Prior to being appointed United States Attorney, Paul first joined 
this office in 1989 and has served in various positions including: 
First Assistant United States Attorney, interim U.S. Attorney, Violent 
and Hate Crimes Coordinator, and the Chief of the Criminal Division. 
For 7 years before joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, he worked in the 
Utah Attorney General's Office as the Chief of the Litigation Division 
and as an Associate Chief Deputy to the Attorney General.
  Throughout his many years of service within the criminal justice 
system, Paul has established himself as an effective leader in the 
fight against crime. He has always greatly valued cohesive working 
relationships with Federal, State, and local law enforcement personnel. 
I believe that without exception, he has become a highly respected and 
trusted prosecutor and able administrator.
  While serving in the Bush Administration, Paul was appointed the 
Chairman of U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft's Advisory Committee of 
U.S. Attorneys. He also previously chaired the Subcommittee on 
Terrorism for this Committee, and continues as an ex-officio member of 
the Committee to this day.
  Paul's legal career began when he graduated with the first class of 
the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University--BYU--in 
1976. He later went on to receive a masters' degree in public 
administration from the Marriott School of Management at BYU.
  Following graduation from law school, Paul served 6 years as a trial 
lawyer in the Judge Advocate General Corps of the United States Navy. 
In 1983, he enlisted with the Utah Army National Guard, Judge Advocate 
Branch, where he rose to the rank of Colonel. He is currently serving 
as the State Staff Judge Advocate, supervising a staff of 17 attorneys. 
He is also the past president of the Utah National Guard Association. 
The leadership and work he has provided to the military has been 
invaluable as he has worked on cases not only important to our Nation, 
but to the men and women who fight to preserve our freedoms.
  Paul has also been involved in many professional organizations 
including serving as a Master of the Bench in the American Inns of 
Court, and Chairman of the Board of Visitors for the BYU Law School. He 
has also been honored by numerous military and civilian organizations 
with awards including: the United States Army's Meritorious Service 
Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the 2004 Honored Alumni of the Year 
for the BYU Law School, the Utah State Bar's 2004 Dorothy Merrill 
Brothers Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession, 
the Federal Bar Association's Distinguished Service Award for 2003, and 
the NAACP's 2002 Community Relations Award for Civil Rights.
  Throughout my years of working with Paul I have always been impressed 
with his utmost integrity and honesty. He has a strong desire to do 
what is right. He has garnered the respect and admiration of the staff 
he has led, and has served as a mentor and friend to many future 
leaders in Utah's legal community. He diligently strives to treat all 
parties with dignity and fairness, and his work has been an example of 
his commitment to individual rights and the rule of law.
  His work within the legal community has been lauded, but perhaps his 
most important accomplishments have occurred within his family and 
neighborhood. Paul is a devoted husband to Linda, and wonderful father 
to four children. He has been a friend to many from all walks of life, 
and all persuasions. His work has been an outstanding example of 
someone who has dedicated his life to helping others while upholding 
the principles and ideals embodied in the foundation of our country the 
Constitution.
  I am grateful for the service Paul Warner has rendered throughout his 
years of public service--but most importantly as the United States 
Attorney for Utah. He is a truly dedicated public servant, strong 
leader, and special friend. I want to wish him well as he travels new 
pathways in life. I know that he will continue to guide and enrich the 
lives of those who have the privilege of working with him; and will 
remain steadfast in his commitment to enhancing and furthering the 
important work of our judicial system.

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