[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20116]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY THOMAS P. SWANTON

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I pay tribute to a very distinguished 
lawyer, Thomas P. Swanton, who has been in my office for more than 2 
years on assignment from the Department of Justice, and I thank the 
Attorney General and the Department of Justice for this program which 
enables Senators to have excellent legal service and gives a different 
perspective to those who are assigned to a Senate office.
  Tom Swanton is an extraordinary lawyer. He has come to my office with 
extensive trial skills and has done extraordinary work on counseling in 
my office, on post-9/11 legislation, on working on nominations, on 
legislative packages involving the death penalty, and the war on 
terrorism.
  He has worked hard on these issues--each time jumping in feet first, 
soaking up knowledge, and moving legislation forward in this often 
complicated process. From his first assignment, he earned the respect 
of my staff, as well as mine.
  Tom's primary duty consisted of working as my legal counsel for 
Judiciary matters where he handled a wide variety of issues. He also 
proved to be of invaluable assistance in crafting several pieces of 
post-September 11 legislation, all the while leading an investigation 
on terrorism financing. His skills and judgment in this arena are 
exceptional. My staff and I were constantly impressed with the wealth 
of knowledge he demonstrated.
  Tom also provided a tremendous service to the people of Pennsylvania 
in working on issues such as class action reform and the Patents Bill 
of Rights. He demonstrated a remarkable amount of enthusiasm and 
initiative throughout his entire fellowship.
  His dedication to each project was remarkable, and the assistance he 
provided to my office will not be easily matched. However, for Tom this 
level of dedication is par for the course. Since his graduation from 
West Point in 1983, he has consistently served our country. Prior to 
his service with the U.S. Attorney's office, Tom served in the United 
States Army and is currently a LTC in the Army Reserve.
  Tom's personal record is equally distinguished. Those who know him 
well consistently praise his qualities as a devoted husband and father 
of four beautiful children.
  I urge my colleagues to join me today in commending Tom Swanton for 
his service as a legal fellow and for his devotion and leadership to 
our country.

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