[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 14, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S381-S382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Adrienne C. Nelson

  Mr. President, I want to use my time to offer my unwavering support 
for the confirmation of Associate Justice Adrienne Nelson to the U.S. 
District Court for Oregon.
  Through a powerful combination of legal knowledge and a commitment to 
justice for all, Justice Adrienne Nelson has amassed an extraordinary 
record, earning her a well-deserved seat on the Oregon Supreme Court, 
the first Black woman ever to serve there.
  Before she was the first Black woman Oregon Supreme Court justice, 
before law school, before her impressive legal career, which includes 
her 12 years of experience on Multnomah County Circuit Court, in 
private practice, as a public defender, even before she could vote, 
Judge Nelson was No. 1 in her class at an Arkansas high school that 
wouldn't recognize her as valedictorian because of the color of her 
skin. The lawsuit that followed in her name ensured that no student 
could be denied any accomplishment based on their race, and that 
victory activated a lifelong legal mind and civil rights champion.
  Around my State, Justice Nelson is lauded for her prodigious work 
ethic, her integrity, and her humility. Support for her nomination 
comes from her fellow Justices on the Oregon Supreme Court, nonprofit 
and business leaders, law enforcement officials from urban and rural 
communities; and that includes district attorneys, the sheriff of our 
largest county, and a former U.S. Attorney who served under both 
Democratic and Republican administrations.
  There is so much to like about Judge Nelson, but what I like most is 
that she is a role modeled for young people. Young people in my State 
really look up to Judge Nelson. In fact, there is an Adrienne C. Nelson 
High School in Happy Valley, OR. I think everybody reports that the 
students there just adore her.
  In addition to these impressive accomplishments and the praise and 
her service as a role model, she has never lost sight of that 
valedictorian fighting tooth and nail within the American legal system 
to make ours a better and even stronger country for everybody. I am 
certain she is going to bring that dedication and commitment to justice 
for all to every single case that crosses her desk.
  There is no question that, with Justice Nelson's top-notch 
qualifications, she is going to make a superb Federal judge. It is all 
these reasons together that causes me tonight to urge our colleagues--
it will happen shortly, later in the week--to vote for this supremely 
qualified candidate to the U.S. District Court.
  In Oregon, we are all so proud of Judge Adrienne Nelson, and I 
believe all Americans will be when she is in service on the court.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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