[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11051]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       CONFIRMATION OF RON WEICH

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, before I turn this over to Senator Durbin to 
close, I want to say a word or two about this nomination we just 
completed. That is the nomination of Ron Weich.
  I know Ron has waited with his family for a long time to get this 
done, but I have tremendously mixed emotions. A part of me was saying: 
I wish maybe he would not get confirmed. But the better part of me and, 
of course, common sense dictates that the country needs him. For me, to 
lose him from my staff is really very difficult. He was such an 
important part of what we have been able to accomplish here in the 
Senate. He is a really a fine lawyer with a great legal mind. I have 
worked closely with him for years.
  He is going to lead the Justice Department regarding legislative 
affairs. He has had prosecutorial experience and Government experience. 
I know and respect all he has done to strengthen our national security, 
forward the cause of justice, and raise the ethics standards of our 
Government and in the whole country. In fact, Ron took a lead role in 
the last Congress, as we passed the most sweeping ethics and lobbying 
reforms in the history of our Congress and our country.
  Those who know and work with Ron value not only his extensive 
experience but just the person he is. I express my appreciation to Ron 
Weich for his sound judgment, his collegiality, his honesty, and 
loyalty to me. Eric Holder will find the same there.
  While many of his colleagues from Columbia University and Yale Law 
School, where he was educated, are out in the private sector making a 
lot of money, Ron has spent most of his life in public service. He came 
back to the Senate after having been in a renowned law firm downtown. 
But he came back because this is what he wants to do. He is able to 
make enough money to raise his family. He is not interested in how much 
money he makes. He is interested in what good he can do for our 
country.
  Our Nation benefits immensely when people as good at what they do as 
Ron is--and as good to others as Ron is--choose to make a difference.
  As I have indicated, I am sad to see him leave this Capitol complex. 
I am comforted by knowing that Ron will play an important role in 
rebuilding Attorney General Holder's Justice Department to a place 
where all are once again equal under the law, protected by the law, and 
no one is above the law.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Illinois.

                          ____________________