[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 214 (Thursday, December 17, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MARY MORIARTY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ILHAN OMAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 17, 2020

  Ms. OMAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Moriarty, who 
embodies what it means to be a public defender. For 30 years, Ms. 
Moriarty has dedicated herself to the Hennepin County Chief Public 
Defender's Office. Her tireless commitment to our community, providing 
quality representation to our most marginalized and vulnerable 
neighbors should not go unappreciated.
  Ms. Moriarty was appointed Chief Public Defender in 2014. Her 
leadership resulted in significant reforms, providing ample and often 
training to new lawyers, bringing in social workers for misdemeanor 
cases, and requiring lawyers to have knowledge in forensic science and 
DNA analysis.
  An evaluation from the National Center for State Courts Public 
Defender's Office under Ms. Moriarty's leadership validated that she 
runs one of the best public defender offices in the country, one that 
is as successful as a private firm. Dr. Brian Ostrom stated this: ``let 
me say unequivocally that Ms. Moriarty is the most accomplished, 
passionate, and articulate public defender I have ever met.''
  In her tenure Ms. Moriarty has been a devoted champion in addressing 
the racial inequalities in the justice system: whether that be 
advocating for more awareness of implicit bias for jurors, or 
requesting data that shows police disproportionately stop and charge 
African American's with obstruction of justice, compared to Caucasians. 
Ms. Moriarty has first-hand seen the disparities that impact our 
community through the legal system and has worked diligently to reform 
them.
  To me, Ms. Moriarty represents what the standard should be for a 
public defender: someone who is committed to their clients and provides 
service to the highest of their ability, someone willing to call out 
the injustices and inequalities our neighbors endure, and working to 
reform them. Ms. Moriarty deserves the upmost admiration for continuing 
the good fight of improving our justice system, even in the face of 
considerable pushback.
  I thank Chief Public Defender Mary Moriarty for her service to our 
community. It has been an honor to work alongside her to make our 
state, country and justice system a better, fairer place.

                          ____________________