[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 4505]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                             JESSE SEROYER

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, the people of the great state of 
Alabama are going to benefit from the wisdom of President George W. 
Bush in appointing Jesse Seroyer as their United States Marshal. I came 
to know Jesse well when I was elected Attorney General of Alabama in 
1994. My respect for him grew continuously. Jesse had one primary 
motivation--to do the right thing. He was proud of his work and wanted 
the Alabama Attorney General's office to be the best it could be. His 
focus was always on the right goal--investigating cases thoroughly, 
clearing the innocent and prosecuting the guilty. Jesse leads by 
example. He works hard, does the right thing and expects others to do 
the same. While he is cooperative and a team player, he will not 
participate in or condone wrongdoing.
  Jesse's career began with the Opelika police department in 1976. He 
worked vice and narcotics and worked with many different law 
enforcement agencies making cases all over Alabama. In 1987 he joined 
the Attorney General's office as chief investigator. During his time 
with the Attorney General's office Jesse has been invaluable in a host 
of important cases and activities. He has investigated white collar 
crime, corruption, voter fraud, and violent crime cases. In addition, 
he trained other investigators in his unit, conducted investigations of 
judges for the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission, provided security 
and protection for the Attorney General and others, conducted all 
investigations under the Alabama Sports Agent Act, and assisted 
countless state, federal and local investigators in important 
investigations. In addition, he has helped develop and plan the 
investigative priorities of the Attorney General's office. Jesse also 
served as a certified instructor for Peace Officer Standard and 
Training program for Alabama.
  I, and Senator Richard Shelby, were pleased to recommend him to 
President Bush and I am certain that these qualities will make him a 
great Marshal.
  When I became Attorney General, the office faced a serious budget 
crisis. Indeed, it was a disaster. The office was forced to reduce its 
size by one-third and to completely reorganize to meet our challenges 
with less personnel. That is when I saw Jesse Seroyer rise to the 
challenge. He took on many challenges and extra duties. Most 
importantly, as the investigator with the most institutional knowledge, 
he was invaluable to me and others in the office. It was a difficult 
time and he was a tower of strength. Without his leadership and 
cooperation we could not have been successful.
  More than just a respected law officer, Jesse Seroyer is a man of 
faith and family. He married a very special lady, Novelette K. Ward, in 
1973 not long after graduating from Opelika High School. Their marriage 
has produced two children, Steve and Jessica.
  His faith is central to his life. He and his wife are active members 
of Greater Peace Baptist Church where he serves as a Deacon. He also 
serves as a Director for Boy Scout Troop 373, Opelika, Ala., and is a 
member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement 
Executives.
  Novelette is extremely talented in her own right. She is also a state 
employee with the State Department of Education. She is a woman of rich 
Christian faith. At Jesse's investiture, she blessed the large crowd 
beautifully singing ``America.'' It was a special way indeed for Jesse 
to start his new work.
  Jesse Seroyer loves his God, his family and his country. He is 
trained and ready for this new step in his career. I extend my special 
appreciation to President Bush for this nomination and to the Senate 
for its unanimous confirmation. He will serve superbly.

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