[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Lara E. Montecalvo

  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues who voted 
yesterday, on a bipartisan basis, to advance the nomination of Lara 
Montecalvo to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First 
Circuit. I look forward to her confirmation later today.
  She will soon fill the seat that is being vacated by Judge O. 
Rogeriee Thompson, who is a trailblazing and outstanding jurist whom I 
was proud to recommend and who is taking senior status. She will 
continue to hear cases on a more limited basis, along with Judge Bruce 
Selya, another distinguished judge from Rhode Island who has taken 
senior status and who continues to hear cases on the First Circuit.
  Like Judge Thompson and Judge Selya, Lara Montecalvo is someone with 
great integrity, intellect, and capacity for judicial independence. I 
am delighted that President Biden nominated her for Rhode Island's 
traditional seat on the First Circuit. I am pleased that the Judiciary 
Committee reported her nomination on a bipartisan vote. And I am 
grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who voted 
yesterday to advance her nomination.
  Her resume speaks for itself. As Rhode Island's chief public 
defender, Ms. Montecalvo has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to 
upholding our constitutional rights, including the Fifth Amendment 
right to due process and the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.
  Ms. Montecalvo was a gifted student, who holds degrees from 
Swarthmore College and Boston College Law School, where she graduated 
magna cum laude in 2000.
  After graduating from law school, she was immediately drawn to public 
service. She started her legal career at the Department of Justice for 
4 years, focusing on civil tax matters in the Federal courts. In 2004, 
she joined the Rhode Island Public Defender's Office and has risen 
through the ranks to lead that office.
  Ms. Montecalvo has more than 20 years of experience as a trial and 
appellate attorney. She has appeared in just about every court in Rhode 
Island, including in the State's highest court. Her extensive courtroom 
experience will add valuable perspectives to the deliberations of the 
First Circuit.
  But it is more than her resume. Within the Rhode Island legal 
community, Ms. Montecalvo is known for her zealous advocacy for her 
clients and her keen sense of justice. She has won accolades from 
judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials. And individuals 
across the political spectrum have endorsed her nomination, including 
five Rhode Island attorneys general and two former U.S. attorneys, one 
appointed by President Obama and one by President Trump.
  I know Ms. Montecalvo will serve on the First Circuit with honor and 
distinction as she has at every step of her legal career.
  I urge my colleagues to confirm this highly qualified nominee to 
serve as a judge on the First Circuit.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.