[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 175 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6901-S6902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Lauren J. King

  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination 
of Lauren King to serve as U.S. District Court judge for the Western 
District of Washington in the Seattle courthouse.
  Ms. King is an immensely talented and experienced practitioner of the 
law, whom I had the honor of recommending to the President for this 
position, and I am proud to be advocating for her confirmation here 
today.
  Ms. King currently chairs Foster Garvey's Native American Law 
Practice Group and has served as a pro tem appellate judge for the 
Northwest Intertribal Court System since 2013. She has served as a 
commissioner on the Washington State Gambling Commission and taught 
Federal Indian law at Seattle University School of Law.
  Her qualifications are exemplary, and Ms. King's confirmation will 
also be a historic one. She is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, and 
she would be the first-ever Native American Federal judge in the 
history of my home State of Washington.
  Out of the 890 currently confirmed Federal judges, only 3 are Native 
American. Ms. King would become the fourth, and she would be the sixth-
ever Native American judge in U.S. history.
  While this number is still too low, Ms. King's confirmation will be 
an important step toward making sure the members of the Federal 
judiciary reflect the diversity of our Nation and have critical 
experience and insight into the unique relationship between our Federal 
Government and Native Tribes.
  This is especially important in Washington State, which for those who 
don't know, is home to 29 federally recognized Indian Tribes.

[[Page S6902]]

  So it is not just important but essential that our Federal judges 
understand the unique histories and perspectives of Native people and 
the legal principles that protect and preserve Native American standing 
under Federal law.
  I believe this is a perspective that matters and one that has been 
missing for far too long. With her experience in the Northwest 
Intertribal Court System and representing Tribes in private practice, 
Ms. King has a deep understanding of these principles and the legal 
issues that Tribes in Washington State face. And she has the support of 
major Native voices in the space. She has been strongly endorsed by the 
National Native American Bar Association, the National Congress of 
American Indians, the Native American Rights Fund, and more.
  She has earned the support by being a sharp legal mind and a fair and 
just arbiter of the law. I firmly believe Ms. King has the experience, 
knowledge, and perspective required to serve on our Federal judiciary 
with distinction.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting her nomination. We can 
confirm highly qualified judges, and we can make sure our Federal bench 
reflects the diversity of the people it serves.
  And before I close, I also want to acknowledge the two historic U.S. 
attorneys for Washington State who were confirmed last week. Nick 
Brown, of Seattle, is the first Black U.S. attorney for the Western 
District of Washington, and Vanessa Waldref, of Spokane, is the first 
U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
  I know that both of these historic appointees have the experience 
needed to be successful, and I am confident they will work diligently 
to pursue justice for the people of my home State.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Tennessee.