[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 22, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     Nomination of Dena M. Coggins

  Ms. BUTLER. Madam President, in just a few moments, this Chamber is 
going to consider the confirmation of Judge Dena Coggins to be U.S. 
judge for the Eastern District of California, and I would proudly want 
to rise and speak in support of her confirmation.
  Before I begin, I do want to appreciate that Judge Coggins's family 
is watching proudly and eagerly the Senate floor today. Her mother, 
Cynthia Ambrose, Judge Coggins's son Elias and her daughter Elaya, who 
I met during their nominations hearing--I know they are excited about 
the opportunity today for their mother to continue her public service 
at the highest levels in one of the busiest districts in the State and 
in the country. And so I just want to take the time to thank Ms. 
Coggins's mother, Ms. Ambrose; Elias; and Elaya for supporting their 
mom, their daughter. She, indeed, is an incredible woman.
  If confirmed, Judge Coggins will join the Federal bench at a critical 
moment for California's Eastern District. The Eastern District of 
California is currently seeing an average of 803 filings for each 
judgeship on the court. That caseload level is the sixth highest in any 
Federal district in the country.
  And given her remarkable track record serving Californians from all 
walks of life, I have the utmost certainty and confidence in Judge 
Coggins's readiness for this role. Her work ethic, integrity, and 
unwavering commitment to the rule of law make her an exceptional 
nominee to meet this moment with the urgency that it demands, and I am 
confident that she will be successful.
  Born and raised in Sacramento, Judge Coggins has devoted her career 
to serving the community in which she was raised. She completed her 
undergraduate degree at California State University Sacramento, 
received her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of the Pacific 
McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. Judge Coggins began her career in 
general litigation and family law, where she built a strong reputation 
as a skilled litigator with experience in both Federal and State court.
  From 2015 to 2017, and again from 2018 to 2021, Judge Coggins served 
as an administrative law judge at the State of California's Office of 
Administrative Hearings. In this capacity, Judge Coggins presided over 
more than 150 evidentiary hearings and trials. She also served as 
supervising attorney and hearing officer for the California Victim 
Compensation Board, where she oversaw legal proceedings and ensured 
that victims of violent crimes receive the compensation and the support 
that they needed.
  Since 2021, Judge Coggins has served in the Superior Court of 
California in Sacramento County. She has handled assignments in both 
the criminal division and the juvenile court. And since 2023, she has 
served as the presiding judge of the juvenile court, presiding over 100 
juvenile dependency trials.
  I will also note that if Judge Coggins is confirmed, she would be 
filling the seat currently held by Chief Judge Kimberly J. Mueller, who 
was the first woman to ever serve on the district court of California 
and for whom Judge Coggins served as an extern early in her legal 
career.
  Judge Coggins is an experienced jurist who has seamlessly 
transitioned to and excelled in numerous roles on the State bench. The 
respect and reverence she has earned is validated by the overwhelming 
support she has received since her nomination, including a letter 
written by several of her colleagues at the State bench addressed to 
the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  Speaking of her service on the juvenile court as a juvenile court 
judge, they said:

       She is a humble and quiet leader, not seeking the spotlight 
     or the fanfare, simply working day in and day out to improve 
     the court. We know when she speaks, she has put considerable 
     thought into her words and that her reasoning and judgment 
     are sound.

  They go on to say:

       In the courtroom, she also demonstrates her steady and fair 
     temperament. She is thorough and diligent. Judge Coggins is 
     efficient with her time on the bench and has handled 
     substantial caseloads. She analyzes issues in a careful and 
     balanced manner and provides thoughtful, well-reasoned, and 
     common-sense decisions. She is compassionate to all who 
     appear before her and takes time to understand the impact 
     each decision will have on them.

  Judge Coggins is exactly the kind of jurist that we need in the 
Eastern District and has exactly the kind of experience California's 
Federal bench needs. Her legal intellect, her composure, her record as 
an effective, efficient, thoughtful jurist makes her a strong nominee.
  And her appointment to the bench comes at a historic time. Just this 
morning, we marked the milestone of confirming President Biden's 200th 
appointment to the Federal judiciary, including 1 Supreme Court 
Justice, 42 Circuit Court judges, 155 District Court judges, and 2 
judges to the U.S. Court of International Trade.
  President Biden has nominated and the Senate has confirmed 126 non-
White Federal judges, more than any President in history. The majority 
of these judges are women--127 exceptionally qualified jurists. 
Notably, the professional diversity of these confirmations are so 
remarkable and unprecedented, including public defenders and other 
legal backgrounds whose perspectives and experiences have not been 
fully represented on our Federal bench.
  With this in mind, confirmation of Judge Coggins's nomination is a 
part of our broader work to strengthen our judicial system. So I urge 
my colleagues to join me in supporting her confirmation to the Eastern 
District of California.
  I yield the floor.