[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 87 (Monday, May 20, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3771-S3774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Seth Robert Aframe

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Seth Aframe to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Mr. 
Aframe has deep ties to the First Circuit. Born in Boston, he received 
his B.A., summa cum laude, from Tufts University and his J.D., magna 
cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center before clerking for 
Justice Judith A. Cowin on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. He 
then entered private practice in Boston, where he worked at a large 
firm and primarily practiced employment law. In 2003, he moved to New 
Hampshire, where he clerked for Judge Jeffrey R. Howard on the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Concord.
  In 2007, Mr. Aframe joined the civil division of the U.S. Attorney's 
Office for the District of New Hampshire as an assistant U.S. attorney. 
In 2010, he was appointed to serve as the appellate chief within the 
criminal division, and he was promoted to chief of the criminal 
division in 2023. Mr. Aframe has tried 19 cases to verdict, including 
18 jury trials; and he has argued approximately 100 cases in the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. In addition to his work as a 
litigator, Mr. Aframe also serves as the District of New Hampshire's 
elections officer and civil rights coordinator, and he represents the 
U.S. attorney on the District of New Hampshire's alternative drug 
court.
  Mr. Aframe is strongly supported by both of his home State Senators--
Mrs. Shaheen and Ms. Hassan--and the American Bar Association 
unanimously rated him as ``well qualified'' to serve on the First 
Circuit. His significant litigation background and extensive experience 
in Federal court ensure that he will be a valuable addition to the 
First Circuit.
  In a letter supporting Mr. Aframe's nomination, a bipartisan group of 
former U.S. attorneys for the District of New Hampshire wrote that, 
``[t]o our minds, there is no one better-suited or better qualified to 
join the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.'' I am 
of the same mind. I am proud to support this nominee, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, I come to the floor today in support 
of Seth Aframe's nomination to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. 
Without a doubt, the depth of Mr. Aframe's legal expertise and his 
extensive experience at the U.S. Attorney's Office make him eminently 
qualified to serve on the First Circuit. The American Bar Association 
agrees. They gave Mr. Aframe a unanimous rating of ``well qualified.''

  But I think what might be most impressive about Mr. Aframe is his 
overwhelming dedication to serving his community. In fact, one of Mr. 
Aframe's earliest formative experiences as an aspiring public servant 
was when he served as a Senate page on this very floor. As we hope all 
pages will do when their time in the Senate comes to an end, Mr. Aframe 
carried a passion for public service with him, and it informed his 
professional trajectory.
  After graduating from college, Mr. Aframe decided to pursue a law 
career, going on to attend Georgetown University Law Center. From 
Georgetown, he spent 3 years in private practice, developing his skills 
in complex civil litigation before moving to New Hampshire, where he 
clerked for Judge Jeffrey Howard on the First Circuit. From there, he 
went on to join the U.S. Attorney's Office in Concord. He has served as 
Chief of both the Criminal Division and the Appellate Section of the 
U.S. Attorney's Office. During his tenure, Mr. Aframe has tried 20 
cases in Federal district court and has argued more than 100 appeals 
before the First Circuit, giving Mr. Aframe more appellate experience 
than almost any attorney in New Hampshire.
  Still, in his limited free time, Mr. Aframe has made it a priority to 
give back to the next generation of legal minds.
  Outside of the courtroom, he is an adjunct professor at the 
University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, where he 
teaches First Amendment law. He is also a frequent and popular 
volunteer at Civics 603!, which is a nonprofit that provides civics 
education to New Hampshire students, ranging from elementary to high 
school.
  Beyond the classroom, Mr. Aframe has continued to take on numerous 
leadership positions, including as the U.S. Attorney's Office 
representative to New Hampshire's LASER Program, which allows low- and 
mid-level drug defendants to participate in a yearlong recovery program 
that centers on rehabilitation and productive reintegration into 
society.
  Mr. Aframe's commitment to his community and to sharing the wealth of 
his legal experience to better the lives of others is truly 
commendable. I am confident that Mr. Aframe will carry his sentiment 
with him to the First Circuit and will continue to make the Granite 
State proud.
  Before I close, though, I want to address some of the misinformation 
that has been circulated in an attempt to portray Mr. Aframe--a 17-year 
Federal prosecutor--as soft on crime. There have been distortions of 
Mr. Aframe's record in two specific cases, and I want to talk about 
those now. Notably, in both of those cases, the court handed down a 
shorter sentence than what was requested by Mr. Aframe.
  In one of the cases, the government didn't seek a life sentence 
because doing so would have required the young victim to appear at a 
sentencing hearing. After consulting with the victim's family, the 
government concluded that to call the victim would have likely imposed 
unwarranted additional trauma. As a result, Mr. Aframe requested a 405-
month sentence. The court ultimately sentenced the defendant to 384 
months. To allege that Mr. Aframe is soft on crime because of his 
decision to

[[Page S3772]]

abide by the wishes of a victim's family is not only deeply misguided, 
but it also sets a dangerous precedent.
  In the second case, as Mr. Aframe has noted, the government requested 
a sentence of 60 years. The court, in deciding the government's request 
was too harsh, issued a sentence of 50 years--10 fewer than Mr. Aframe 
had requested. Unfortunately, the allegations against Mr. Aframe are 
not only inaccurate and unfair, but they are based on partisan 
opposition to any judge that is nominated by this President. Those of 
us who know Mr. Aframe and his record know he has been a dedicated 
prosecutor and that he will be a fair jurist.
  Once again, let me emphasize that I am grateful that the State of New 
Hampshire has had a career prosecutor like Mr. Aframe, who has so 
diligently fought for justice on behalf of the victims of horrific 
crimes, and it has become abundantly clear that all who work with him 
feel the same way.
  In a joint letter, all four former U.S. attorneys whom Mr. Aframe has 
served under and who were appointed by both Republican and Democratic 
Presidents said:

       Each of us regards Mr. Aframe as a distinguished and 
     persuasive appellate advocate who has successfully 
     represented the government and earned a well-deserved 
     reputation for excellence. His knowledge of the law is 
     extensive. His writing is pristine and persuasive. We doubt 
     there is any practicing attorney who has briefed and argued 
     more cases before the First Circuit.

  Mr. Aframe's praise doesn't come just from prosecutors. A group of 
defense attorneys whom he litigated against many times has also lauded 
his nomination, stating:

       [W]e believe Seth has a perfect judicial temperament. . . . 
     In what is often a difficult role as a prosecutor, he 
     epitomizes open-mindedness, courtesy, patience, freedom from 
     bias, and commitment to equal justice under the law.

  To name a few others, Mr. Aframe has received letters of support from 
the former president of the New Hampshire Association of Criminal 
Defense Lawyers, from New Hampshire law enforcement officials, and from 
past presidents of the New Hampshire Bar, and I have some of these 
letters of support here.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that these letters be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                 October 23, 2023.
     Re Seth Robert Aframe, Nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals 
         for the First Circuit.

     Hon. Richard J. Durbin,
     Chair, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Lindsey O. Graham,
     Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Graham: As former 
     United States Attorneys for the District of New Hampshire, it 
     is our honor to enthusiastically support the confirmation of 
     our former colleague, Assistant United States Attorney Seth 
     Robert Aframe, to the United States Court of Appeals for the 
     First Circuit.
       As prosecutors, we have abiding faith in the rule of law 
     and, as long-time practitioners before courts in the First 
     Circuit, we understand the vital role of the First Circuit 
     Court of Appeals in deciding appeals affecting every aspect 
     of American life. We have unwavering confidence in Mr. 
     Aframe's qualifications to join the distinguished First 
     Circuit bench by reason of his deep appellate and trial 
     experience, and his scholarship, legal acumen and compassion.
       Attorney Thomas Colantuono hired Mr. Aframe as an Assistant 
     U.S. Attorney following his tenure as a law clerk to the 
     Honorable Judith A. Cowan, Associate Justice, Massachusetts 
     Supreme Judicial Court, and to the Honorable Jeffrey R. 
     Howard, Circuit Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the 
     First Circuit. At the time, Mr. Aframe impressed Mr. 
     Colantuono as a bright, able and articulate attorney who 
     would meet the Office's highest standards of excellence and 
     be a strong asset to the complement of Assistant United 
     States Attorneys.
       During his long tenure in the Office, Mr. Aframe has 
     fulfilled that promise and more: each of us regards Mr. 
     Aframe as a distinguished and persuasive appellate advocate 
     who has successfully represented the government and earned a 
     well-deserved reputation for excellence. His knowledge of the 
     law is extensive. His writing is pristine and persuasive. We 
     doubt that there is any practicing attorney who has briefed 
     and argued more cases before the First Circuit, or who has an 
     equal reputation for outstanding scholarship, candor toward 
     the tribunal and fidelity to the rule of law. Indeed, none of 
     us was ever more proud than we were to see the Office's name, 
     and ours, inscribed on the cover of a brief authored by Mr. 
     Aframe, or a decision rendered by the Court thereafter.
       While Mr. Aframe readily grasps and articulates the most 
     sophisticated legal concepts, as United States Attorneys, we 
     also valued his pragmatism, candor and generosity. He has 
     traveled easily in the rarified environment of appellate 
     advocacy, but has also diligently earned the trust of juries 
     and of victims of some of the most heinous crimes imaginable. 
     He has frequently volunteered as trial counsel in complex 
     cases, served his colleagues as a trusted advisor, and taken 
     a leadership role in numerous initiatives, including the 
     LASER program, the District Court's drug court. In 
     recognition of this, and of his considerable talents, he now 
     serves as the Criminal Bureau Chief at the USAO-DNH.
       Mr. Aframe is a person of the highest integrity who will 
     consistently demonstrate patience, courtesy, empathy and 
     equanimity as a member of the Court. He will serve the cause 
     of justice and decide all cases before him according to the 
     rule of law, and without fear or favor. To our minds, there 
     is no one better-suited or better qualified to join the 
     United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and we 
     urge the Committee on the Judiciary to unanimously confirm 
     his nomination.
           Sincerely,
     Thomas P. Colantuono, Esq.,
       USA-DNH 2001-2009.
     John P. Kacavas, Esq.,
       USA-DNH 2009-2015.
     Emily Gray Rice, Esq.,
       USA-DNH 2016-2017.
     Scott W. Murray, Esq.,
       USA-DNH 2018-2021.
                                  ____

                                                 October 20, 2023.
     Hon. Richard Durbin,
     Chair, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Lindsey Graham,
     Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chair Durbin and Ranking Member Graham: We, the 
     undersigned law enforcement officers, submit this letter in 
     support of the nomination of Seth Aframe to the distinguished 
     position of Circuit Judge for the United States Court of 
     Appeals for the First Circuit. Each of us have forged strong 
     working relationships with Seth in his current position as an 
     Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New 
     Hampshire.
       As case agents and task force officers of multiple federal 
     investigations, ranging from a single individual to multi-
     defendant, complex conspiracies, each of us has worked 
     closely with Seth and experienced his expertise in all areas 
     of criminal prosecution. From drafting search warrants and 
     Title III applications to interviewing cooperating witnesses 
     to negotiating with defendants and their counsel, Seth played 
     an integral role in the planning and execution of legal 
     strategy for each investigation. Through his leadership and 
     guidance, each member of the prosecution team grew their 
     investigative abilities, all culminating in many successful 
     prosecutions.
       Seth's magnetic personality fosters his ability to 
     coordinate and collaborate with multiple law enforcement 
     agencies from federal, state, county and local entities. 
     Seth's dedication and willingness to work all hours of the 
     day, including holidays and weekends, is a testament to his 
     commitment to his peers and his community. Without 
     reservation, we believe Seth will bring that same passion and 
     work ethic to his duties on the Court.
       We have observed, firsthand, Seth's professionalism and 
     unmatched abilities as a federal prosecutor. His honesty, 
     straightforward demeanor and overall compassion for people 
     have distinguished him in that role. Those qualities and his 
     commitment to be firm, but always fair, will undoubtedly 
     prepare him for his new role. We, the undersigned law 
     enforcement officers, unequivocally support Seth's nomination 
     to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
           Very Respectfully,
         Christopher Gosselin, Detective, York Police Department; 
           Task Force Officer, U.S. Drug Enforcement 
           Administration; Steven Hamel, Detective (Retired), 
           Kittery Police Department, Detective, Berwick Police 
           Department, Task Force Officer, U.S. Drug Enforcement 
           Administration; Robert Lukacz, Detective, Portsmouth 
           Police Department, Task Force Officer, U.S. Drug 
           Enforcement Administration; Michael McGee, Detective, 
           Manchester Police Department, Task Force Officer, U.S. 
           Federal Bureau of Investigation; Pat Broderick, 
           Lieutenant, Hudson Police Department, Former Task Force 
           Officer, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; 
           Christopher Day, Detective (Retired), Manchester Police 
           Department, Former Task Force Officer, U.S. Drug 
           Enforcement Administration; Joseph DeWitt, Sergeant, 
           Nashua Police Department, Former Task Force Officer, 
           U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Juan Infante, 
           Detective Sergeant, New Hampshire State Police, Former 
           Task Force Officer, U.S. Drug Enforcement 
           Administration; Michael Molloy, Lieutenant, 
           Hillsborough County Sheriff, Former Task Force Officer, 
           U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Kevin Rutina, 
           Trooper First

[[Page S3773]]

           Class (Retired), New Hampshire State Police, Deputy, 
           Strafford County Sheriff, Former Task Force Officer, 
           U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
                                  ____

                                                 October 20, 2023.
     Re Nomination of Assistant United States Attorney Seth Aframe 
         to the United States Court of Appeals for the First 
         Circuit.

     Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senators: We are former Presidents of the New 
     Hampshire Bar Association writing to you as individuals and 
     as New Hampshire attorneys to endorse the nomination of 
     Assistant United States Attorney Seth Aframe, of the United 
     States Attorney's Office in New Hampshire, to serve as a 
     judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the First 
     Circuit.
       Attorney Aframe has been an Assistant United States 
     Attorney since 2007. He has tried many cases in federal 
     district court as a prosecutor, and he has litigated more 
     than 100 appeals at the United States Court of Appeals for 
     the First Circuit. He was appointed Chief of the Criminal 
     Division of the United States Attorney's Office in New 
     Hampshire in 2023. He is also the Appellate Chief for that 
     office. In addition to his extensive work on criminal cases, 
     Attorney Aframe worked in the Civil Division, handling 
     defense and asset-forfeiture cases.
       As members of the New Hampshire Bar, we know Attorney 
     Aframe either personally or by his excellent reputation. He 
     is highly regarded for his commitment to justice, his 
     character and integrity, and his intellect. Attorney Aframe 
     is a skilled prosecutor, but he is also one who pays careful 
     attention to the goals of justice and fairness for all 
     involved. The citizens of this country would be well-served 
     to have him as a judge on the Court of Appeals.
       By our authorized ``signature'' below, we endorse Attorney 
     Seth Aframe's nomination and hope that he will be confirmed 
     by your committee.
           Thank you,
         Jonathan M. Eck, 2022-23; David W. McGrath, 2018-19; 
           Scott H. Harris, 2017-18; Lawrence A. Vogelman, 2012-
           13; Jennifer L. Parent, 2011-12; Ellen L. Arnold, 2008-
           09; Eleanor Wm. Dahar, 2007-08; Russell F. Hilliard, 
           2003-04; George R. Moore, 1999-2000; Randall F. Cooper, 
           1998-99; Patrick T. Hayes, 1997-98; Bruce W. Felmly, 
           1995-96; Jack P. Crisp, Jr., 1994-95; Philip R. 
           Waystack, 1987-88; Walter L. Mitchell, 1984-85.
                                  ____

                                                 October 23, 2023.
     Re Nomination of Seth Robert Aframe to the First Circuit 
         Court of Appeals.

     Hon. Richard J. Durbin,
     Chair, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Lindsey Graham,
     Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Graham: I am 
     writing as a representative of a group of New Hampshire 
     criminal defense lawyers who represent the bulk of the 
     federal criminal defendants in this jurisdiction. Please note 
     we write in our individual capacities and not on behalf of 
     any law firm or organization with which we may be affiliated. 
     We offer the highest possible recommendation for Seth Aframe 
     to become a member of the United States Court of Appeals for 
     the First Circuit.
       I have been a criminal defense lawyer for almost 20 years, 
     and prior to that I was a state and federal prosecutor. I 
     have previously served as president of the New Hampshire 
     Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. The group of 
     signatories to this letter have many decades of combined 
     experience representing hundreds of criminal defendants in 
     the federal court here in New Hampshire. We have all come to 
     know Seth in one form or another, many of us coming to know 
     him quite well. Quite simply, he will be an excellent 
     appellate judge.
       As defense attorneys in federal court, we have all had 
     difficult cases and clients that make our jobs sometimes 
     especially challenging. They sometimes face years and decades 
     in prison. Due to his abilities, Seth is often assigned the 
     most challenging--factually and/or legally--cases that the 
     United States Attorney's Office handles here. In each case in 
     which Seth has represented the United States, he has 
     demonstrated to his surpassing intellect, professionalism, 
     and integrity. He is a difficult adversary when he needs to 
     be, but he is never unfair. He takes the idea of prosecutor's 
     role to seek justice very seriously, and he embodies that 
     throughout his prosecutorial practice. Through handling 
     difficult cases, and this being a very small federal bar, 
     many of us have come to know Seth personally. I consider him 
     a friend at this point, and I have been glad for him (and the 
     USAO) to see him rise in the ranks in that office over the 
     years. He is an exemplary member of the federal bar.
       Seth demonstrates the highest professional competence in 
     his practice. In addition to handling many, if not all, of 
     the truly intricate legal matters that make their way through 
     the criminal division of his office, he also oversaw the 
     Court's drug court program for many years. His writing 
     ability is unparalleled, as are his analytical abilities. Due 
     to his abilities, Seth handles most, if not all, of the 
     appellate matters that come through his office, as well. He 
     always understands the core issues quickly, frames them 
     succinctly, and addresses them in such an analytical manner 
     that it makes it quite easy for the court to understand the 
     central legal issues. His knowledge of federal criminal law, 
     both substantive and procedural seems to be limitless.
       As well, Seth has demonstrated the highest and most 
     unwavering integrity during the time that we have known him. 
     He has always--whether it be in an individual case, 
     representing the government in drug court, or advocating for 
     certain policy positions in the office, demonstrated that his 
     sole focus was justice and fairness in a system that is often 
     dictated by factors and players outside the courtroom.
       Finally, we believe Seth has a perfect judicial 
     temperament. He shows compassion to victims, witnesses, those 
     he prosecutes, and those with whom he interacts in any other 
     respect in a case. He is and has always been open-minded, but 
     he is quite decisive. In what is often a difficult role as a 
     prosecutor, he epitomizes open-mindedness, courtesy, 
     patience, freedom from bias, and commitment to equal justice 
     under the law.
       Seth is what any good lawyer would want in an appellate 
     judge. He is smart, he works hard, he has a large mind, and 
     seeks to do the right thing under the law. I hope that he is 
     approved without reservation. It would serve all who appear 
     before him.
       Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am happy to 
     discuss this matter further with you at any time.
           Sincerely,
         Charles J. Keefe, Esq.; Donald Kennedy, Esq.; Robin 
           Melone, Esq.; Adam Bernstein, Esq.; William Christie, 
           Esq.; Michael Iacopino, Esq.; Jeffrey Odland, Esq.; 
           Eric Wolpin, Esq.; Theodore Lothstein, Esq.; Michael 
           Connolly, Esq.; Jeffrey Levin, Esq.; David Vicinanzo, 
           Esq.; Matthew Vicinanzo, Esq.; Steven Gordon, Esq.; 
           John Newman, Esq.; Robert Carey, Esq.; Daniel Deane, 
           Esq.; Mark Knights, Esq.; Brian Quirk, Esq.; Mark 
           Sisti, Esq.
                                  ____

                                                 October 12, 2023.
     Re Nomination of Seth Robert Aframe to the First Circuit 
         Court of Appeals.

     Hon. Richard J. Durbin,
     Chair, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Lindsey Graham,
     Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary,
     U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Graham: I write to 
     enthusiastically support the nomination of Seth Aframe to the 
     United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. I have 
     been a criminal defense lawyer for over 40 years and have 
     served as past President of the New Hampshire Association of 
     Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Board Chair of the New 
     Hampshire Public Defender Program. I have represented many 
     people in our federal court and have come to know Attorney 
     Aframe extremely well. He possesses all of the attributes 
     that an appellate judge should have.
       Attorney Aframe certainly has the intellectual capacity to 
     excel as an appellate judge. He has been the member of the 
     United States Attorney's Office most often called upon to 
     handle its appellate work as well as the office's most 
     complicated cases. His writing is clear and persuasive, and 
     his legal analysis is first rate.
       What sets Attorney Aframe apart and makes him such a 
     wonderful choice for this role is his judgment as well as his 
     capacity for empathy and compassion. I have observed him deal 
     with defendants, victims, witnesses, law enforcement and all 
     stakeholders in the criminal justice system. He treats 
     everyone with the respect that they deserve in our judicial 
     system. He is a man of great integrity, and I have come to 
     completely trust him. We have had difficult cases together, 
     but he keenly understands that his role is to do justice, and 
     he has the ability to be open-minded, listen, and consider 
     what is fair in a particular situation.
       I have spoken with numerous fellow criminal defense lawyers 
     about this nomination. The widespread sentiment is strong 
     support for his confirmation, with the uniform comment that 
     he will be missed as a force for justice and fairness in the 
     United States Attorney's Office. It is not that he is viewed 
     as a soft or lenient prosecutor, but we know him as a good 
     and empathetic person who is committed to the cause of 
     justice. I am confident that he will be a highly competent 
     and deeply compassionate judge who will be an asset to the 
     Court.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                   Cathy J. Green.

  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Seth Aframe is uniquely positioned to serve on the 
Federal bench, and I know that his unwavering integrity and deep 
appellate experience will make him an exceptional addition to the First 
Circuit.
  I was pleased with the cloture vote last Thursday, and I urge my 
colleagues to support his nomination.
  With that, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire.
  Ms. HASSAN. Madam President, I rise today to add my voice to that of 
my colleague's, Senator Shaheen, in supporting the confirmation of Seth 
Aframe of Hopkinton, NH, to serve as a judge on the U.S. Court of 
Appeals for

[[Page S3774]]

the First Circuit. As you have heard from Senator Shaheen, Mr. Aframe 
would be a valuable addition to the First Circuit bench.
  Granite Staters know Mr. Aframe as someone who brings thoughtful 
judgment and a commitment to fairness to whatever work he is 
undertaking. He has demonstrated this unwavering commitment to 
fairness, to justice time and again in his work at the U.S. Attorney's 
Office, including when he argued cases before the First Circuit.
  He exemplified those same values in his work on the LASER Docket, 
which is a drug court that helps people struggling with addiction to 
get the treatment that they need--an issue that is particularly 
important to the people of New Hampshire who have been hit hard by the 
fentanyl crisis.
  His excellence on the job goes hand in hand with the commitment to 
his community. Even in the midst of his demanding legal career, he 
continues to find time to give back to his community. He has served 
both as a member of his local school board and as president of his 
synagogue, Temple Beth Jacob. Mr. Aframe has also been dedicated to 
raising up our next generation of advocates and judges. He taught at 
the University of New Hampshire's law school for 15 years, where he has 
regularly given his time to serve as a judge at student mock trials.
  Mr. Aframe's commitment to the law as well as to his community 
extends far beyond the confines of his office or work schedule and 
reflects the values of someone who understands that the commitment to 
equal justice so essential to our democracy must be highlighted and 
revered at every level and in every corner of our society.
  Throughout the nomination process, members of New Hampshire's legal 
community have also voiced their strong support for Mr. Aframe's 
confirmation. Four previous U.S. Attorneys for the District of New 
Hampshire--appointed by Presidents from both parties--wrote a letter, 
stating:

       Each of us regards Mr. Aframe as a distinguished and 
     persuasive appellate advocate who has successfully 
     represented the government and earned a well-deserved 
     reputation for excellence.

  It is not only Mr. Aframe's fellow prosecutors who have confidence in 
his abilities; New Hampshire defense attorneys, including public 
defenders, also trust and support Mr. Aframe.
  Charles J. Keefe, in a letter on behalf of New Hampshire defense 
attorneys, wrote:

       In what is often a difficult role as a prosecutor, he 
     epitomizes open-mindedness, courtesy, patience, freedom from 
     bias, and commitment to equal justice under the law.

  Mr. Aframe also has the backing of many New Hampshire law enforcement 
officers, including one letter that highlighted:

       We have observed, firsthand, Seth's professionalism and 
     unmatched abilities as a Federal prosecutor. His honesty, 
     straightforward demeanor, and overall compassion for people 
     have distinguished him in that role.

  I will add that at Friday's New Hampshire Police Memorial Day 
ceremony, there was more than one member of law enforcement who 
approached me and said that Seth Aframe is the right person for this 
job.
  It speaks to Mr. Aframe's capabilities and character that he has 
received such enthusiastic support from both sides of the courtroom--
from the legal community and law enforcement alike.
  Mr. Aframe receives such widespread support because people from 
across our legal system see in him someone who is skilled and 
thoughtful in equal measure; who is always looking for more ways to 
serve his community and his country; who serves in every role without 
fear or favor; who needs to be confirmed so that he can continue his 
lifetime of service--next on the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
  I yield the floor.

                          ____________________