[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 114 (Friday, August 2, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING HON. B. TODD JONES ON HIS CONFIRMATION BY THE U.S. 
SENATE AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS AND 
                               EXPLOSIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 2, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to congratulate my 
constituent and friend, the Honorable B. Todd Jones, on his 
confirmation by the United States Senate to be the director of the 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). As the first 
permanent director since 2006, Director Jones knows the job well; he 
has been leading this important federal law enforcement agency as 
``acting director'' since 2011. While serving as acting director, Mr. 
Jones has also been serving as the United States Attorney for 
Minnesota. The hefty and time consuming responsibility of leading two 
important federal offices has proven to be a testament to Mr. Jones' 
commitment to public service, his stamina, and the gracious support of 
his wife, Margaret, and his children.
  Nominated by President Obama to serve as ATF's permanent director in 
January 2013, Mr. Jones endured a Senate confirmation process that too 
often neglected the gun violence crisis in this country and instead 
degenerated into a partisan political smear campaign with unfounded 
attacks on an outstanding public servant. The Senate vote to confirm 
Mr. Jones was very partisan. The six Republicans who voted for cloture 
thus allowing an up or down vote on this nomination deserve to be 
commended for their fairness. I also want to commend Minnesota's two 
Senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, for shepherding this nomination 
through very difficult political terrain.
  There is no doubt that President Obama got it right when he tapped 
Mr. Jones to lead the ATE. Todd's career in public service is stellar--
a Marine Corps infantryman, Marine Corps Judge Advocate, federal 
prosecutor, and the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota in both the Clinton and 
Obama administrations. This is a man of integrity, character, and 
determination who has never hesitated to serve his country when called 
upon.
  As the director of ATF, B. Todd Jones will have the opportunity to 
strengthen and offer much needed stability to an agency that has been 
denied a permanent director by Republicans in Congress even when a 
nominee was put forth by President Bush. Both ATF staff and law 
enforcement officials all across the U.S. will have a partner and an 
advocate in the new director. As gun violence continues to plague 
America's cities, towns, families, and, most tragically, our schools, 
ATF needs a leader who will respect gun rights, but champion gun safety 
and safe communities. That's the kind of leader Todd Jones will be and 
I am very proud of his on-going service to our country.

                          ____________________