[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 29, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Nomination of Jamel Semper

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam President, I rise today to proudly vote for the 
confirmation of Jamel Semper to the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.
  Mr. Semper, whom I personally recommended to President Biden, is 
exceptionally well-qualified for this position, and you don't have to 
take my word for it. Mr. Semper received strong, bipartisan support on 
the Judiciary Committee. So there is no reason he shouldn't enjoy that 
same bipartisan support here on the Senate floor.
  For more than 15 years, Mr. Semper has tirelessly sought justice for 
the residents who call New Jersey home. Indeed, it is the central theme 
that runs throughout Mr. Semper's career--an unwavering commitment to 
the rule of law and to the communities the law is meant to protect.
  He began his career as an assistant prosecutor in Union County, 
handling a wide range of cases across the appellate, juvenile, and 
adult trial units. Then, in Essex County, he went after carjackers and 
murderers, including the first prosecution of a homicide under New 
Jersey's domestic terrorism statute.
  In 2018, he was sworn in as an assistant U.S. attorney in Newark, 
climbing the ladder and ultimately serving as chief of both the violent 
crime and organized crime units. Today, he is the deputy chief of the 
criminal division, a role in which he is responsible for supervising 
all phases of criminal investigation and prosecution.
  In each of these positions, Mr. Semper has demonstrated unflinching 
fidelity to the rule of law. Time and time again, Mr. Semper has kept 
New Jerseyans safe, while also building bridges between residents and 
those who have sworn an oath to protect them.
  This community-focused approach to law enforcement has earned Mr. 
Semper plaudits from individuals and organizations representing diverse 
interests, especially those who advocate for communities of color in 
the Garden State.
  Consider the words of Rev. Ron Slaughter, the pastor of St. James AME 
in Newark. He said:

       ``Semper has touched all the bases, stayed connected to the 
     community, and remained patient. This is a great day for New 
     Jersey, America, our judiciary, and my community.''

  Truer words haven't been spoken.
  Mr. Semper's confirmation today not only furthers our collective goal 
of addressing judicial vacancies across our country; it also advances 
our efforts to diversify the Federal bench. It brings us one step 
closer toward ensuring that our most hallowed institutions reflect the 
rich tapestry of America.
  For nearly 18 years, I have always taken my constitutional duty to 
provide advice and consent on judicial nominees seriously. It is one of 
the most solemn obligations as U.S. Senators that we have, and it is 
one of the most consequential impacts we have on our democracy as 
Senators--confirming judges who interpret and shape the law and our 
Constitution for decades to come.
  So I am a firm believer that our independent judiciary must reflect 
the very best of America's values and its citizens, which is why I can 
honestly say that Jamel Semper's relentless commitment to public 
service, combined with his temperament and the trust he has built with 
New Jerseyans--all this is exactly what we look for in a Federal judge.
  He will, no doubt, be an asset to New Jersey's Federal bench, and I 
encourage all my colleagues to support Jamel Semper to be in his 
rightful place on the District Court of New Jersey.