[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 42 (Wednesday, April 5, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2898-S2899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NOMINATION OF MICHAEL A. CHAGARES

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I rise in strong support of the 
nomination of Michael A. Chagares to be a Circuit Judge on the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
  It is an honor that another person from my home State of New Jersey 
has

[[Page S2899]]

been called to serve this Nation by the administration. The 
confirmation of a judge to a lifetime appointment is a vital 
responsibility given to this body by the Constitution and one that I 
take very seriously.
  Mr. Chagares has been nominated to replace the current Secretary of 
Homeland Security, Michael Chertoff, on the Third Circuit. No matter 
one's political persuasion, we all take pride in the honor that has 
been bestowed on a fellow New Jerseyan.
  Mr. Chagares is a New Jersey native who graduated from Gettysburg 
College and Seton Hall School of Law, with honors. Upon graduation, he 
clerked for Judge Greenberg on the Third Circuit. Over the past 15 
years, Mr. Chagares has served the public with distinction in the U.S. 
Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey and has also worked in 
private practice.
  In addition, he is a popular Professor of both appellate advocacy and 
civil trial practice at Seton Hall. I believe this popularity is a 
testament to his ability to both convey the essence of the subject 
matter and do it in a way that excites a new generation of lawyers.
  The American Bar Association has rated Mr. Chagares as ``well 
qualified'' for the position that he has been nominated. It is a view 
that I share as well.
  I am pleased that see that people of his quality are willing to serve 
our Nation in the administration of justice, and join Senator 
Lautenberg in commending him to the Senate.
  Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support the nomination of Mr. 
Chagares to be a judge on our Nation's Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

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