[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 212 (Tuesday, December 15, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S7495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DOUG JONES

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, as a nation, today we find ourselves 
contemplating the key tenets upon which our country was founded: the 
importance of truth and equality, the pursuit of justice, and the 
determination of what is right. Doug Jones has pursued justice and has 
fought for equality and for what is right for his entire career. Doug 
is one of the most dedicated, thoughtful and decent public servants I 
have ever had the privilege to know and work with in my time in the 
Senate. He leaves the Senate having only furthered that record of 
public service.
  Doug brought with him to the Senate a passion for civil rights and 
for resolving prior injustices. As U.S. attorney for the Northern 
District of Alabama, he fought against entrenched racial injustice. He 
prosecuted the men responsible for the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street 
Baptist Church: and indicted domestic terrorist Eric Rudolph. In the 
Senate, he continued the pursuit of justice as a vocal advocate for 
greater government transparency and authored legislation that has 
expanded access to criminal investigation records for civil rights 
cases, helping families and individuals to resolve injustices after 
decades of inaction.
  I am certain that, even as he leaves the Senate, Doug will continue 
to represent and to fight for what is right. His has been an important 
and uniquely qualified voice for justice voice in the Senate these last 
few years, and I will miss his sound judgment and thoughtful advocacy. 
I know his long record of public service will only continue. Marcelle 
and I wish Doug and his wife Louise and their entire family all the 
best.
  I have great respect for him. He is one of the most impressive 
Senators I have served with, and I am so proud of all he has 
accomplished

                          ____________________