[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S7022]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Jerry W. Blackwell

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Jerry Blackwell to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of 
Minnesota.
  Mr. Blackwell will bring outstanding qualifications and deep 
experience to the Federal bench. He received his undergraduate and law 
degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before 
entering private practice and, eventually, establishing his own law 
firm. Mr. Blackwell has specialized in commercial litigation, including 
mass torts, and he has represented Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 
companies in a variety of matters.
  But in addition to his success in the private sector, Mr. Blackwell 
has also answered the call to serve. In 2021, he served as a special 
prosecutor in the trial of Derek Chauvin, who was convicted for the 
horrific murder of George Floyd. Mr. Blackwell has also committed 
himself to increasing diversity in the legal profession by serving as a 
founding member of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers and the 
Minnesota Equity and Justice Project.
  Given his broad, extensive experience, it is no surprise that the 
American Bar Association unanimously rated Mr. Blackwell ``well 
qualified'' to serve on the district court. He also enjoys the strong 
support of his home State Senators, Ms. Klobuchar and Ms. Smith. I am 
proud to support Mr. Blackwell's nomination, and I strongly urge my 
colleagues to do the same.

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