[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 106 (Thursday, June 28, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S8673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NOMINATION OF JOSEPH S. VAN BOKKELEN TO BE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 
                  FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the next nomination.
  The assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Joseph S. Van 
Bokkelen, of Indiana, to be United States District Judge for the 
northern district of Indiana.
  Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I appreciate this opportunity to support 
the President's nomination of Joseph S. Van Bokkelen to serve as a U.S. 
district judge for the Northern District of Indiana.
  I would first like to thank Senate Judiciary chairman, Pat Leahy; 
ranking member, Arlen Specter; and the respective leaders for their 
important work to facilitate timely consideration of this nomination.
  In July of last year, Judge Rudy Lozano informed me of his decision 
to assume senior status after a distinguished career of public service. 
He was a remarkable leader on the Federal bench, and I applaud his 
leadership to Indiana and to the legal community.
  Given this upcoming vacancy and the need for strong leadership, I was 
pleased to commend to President Bush Joe Van Bokkelen to serve on the 
Federal court in the Northern District of Indiana.
  I have known Joe for many years, and I have always been impressed 
with his high energy, resolute integrity, and remarkable dedication to 
public service.
  Joe Van Bokkelen attended Indiana University where he received both 
his undergraduate and law degrees. He then served in the Indiana 
Attorney General's Office followed by his first experience in the 
United States Attorney's Office in the Northern District.
  After many years of private practice, Joe assumed his current 
position of United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana 
on September 21, 2001. His performance in this position has been 
nothing short of remarkable. He has undertaken the most aggressive 
public corruption initiative in the history of the office. Since 2002, 
over 30 public officials have been indicted and convicted. Joe has also 
used his office to target the use and possession of illegal firearms, 
combat gang activity, implement drug demand reduction programs, and 
cultivate community partnerships.
  Likewise, Joe has demonstrated leadership in the Justice Department 
where he serves on several of the Attorney General's advisory 
committees, including Violent and Organized Crime, White Collar Crime, 
Sentencing Guidelines, and the Regional Information Sharing Working 
Group.
  Newspapers across northern Indiana contain articles and editorials 
applauding his determination to bring about effective law enforcement. 
The Northwest Indiana Times recently commented that Joe Van Bokkelen 
``has an excellent track record for the five years he has led the U.S. 
Attorney's office in Northern Indiana.''
  Joe has received a number of high performance ratings, including the 
A.V. rating from Martindale-Hubbell and the highest judicial rating 
from the American Bar Association.
  Outside of his public service, Joe is involved with a number of 
community activities and civic organizations.
  I would again like to thank Chairman Leahy and Ranking Member Specter 
for their leadership in facilitating consideration of Joe Van 
Bokkelen's nomination to serve as a Federal judge. I believe that he 
will demonstrate remarkable leadership to northern Indiana and will 
appropriately uphold and defend our laws under the Constitution.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is, Will the Senate advise and 
consent to the nomination of Joseph S. Van Bokkelen, of Indiana, to be 
United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana.
  The nomination was confirmed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, motions to 
reconsider these votes are laid on the table. The President shall be 
notified of the Senate's actions.

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