[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Pages 8409-8410]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    IN SUPPORT OF JUDGE EDWARD CHEN

  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of Edward Chen, 
nominee for Federal judgeship in the United States District Court for 
the Northern District of California. Judge Chen has been a respected 
Federal magistrate judge for over 8 years. He is held in high regard by 
his judicial colleagues and by the attorneys, litigants, and witnesses 
who have appeared before him, including non partisan prosecutors and 
law enforcement officials. Judge Chen has issued hundreds of rulings in 
accordance with the rule of law, and without bias or unfairness. He has 
facilitated the fair settlement of hundreds of cases, ranging from 
complex business disputes to civil rights claims. For these reasons, 
Judge Chen received the highest possible rating of ``well qualified'' 
from the American Bar Association.
  Given his wide support from the legal community, and his record of 
fairness, what could prevent the U.S. Senate from confirming this 
outstanding jurist's appointment to the District Court of the Northern 
District of California?
  I am in the opinion that nothing should prevent it. But elements of 
the extremist media have launched cynical attacks against Judge Chen. 
Unarmed by facts, accusers resort to tired smears that Judge Chen is a 
``radical leftist,'' someone ``who doesn't appear to love America.''

[[Page 8410]]

  But these charges are completely without basis. Those interested in 
the true picture of Judge Chen's work and outlook need only look at his 
actual 8-year record on the Federal bench. I believe that this record 
is exactly where discussions of his nomination should focus in our 
Senate Chambers, where good judgment should prevail. Judge Chen has 
written over 300 published opinions, and what those opinions show is a 
judge who is committed to the rule of law. He follows case precedent. 
He checks any personal views at the courthouse door, and rules 
impartially in each and every case. His decisions reveal a belief in 
fairness to all.
  Judge Chen, like so many others, values diversity in the Federal 
judiciary. Judges from different backgrounds bring varied life 
experiences to the court, and this diversity of background and 
experience helps foster balanced and accurate decisionmaking according 
to the rule of law.
  Judge Chen's belief in the value of diversity is joined also by 
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. During his 2006 confirmation 
hearing, Justice Alito stated, ``When I get a case about 
discrimination, I have to think about people in my own family who 
suffered discrimination because of their ethnic background or because 
of religion or because of gender. And I do take that into account'' in 
reaching balanced and accurate decisions. Justice Clarence Thomas 
underscored this very point in his statement about the importance of 
broad representation in the judiciary: ``My goal is to have a court 
that is fair, and I think it's fair when we are fair in selecting 
people from all parts of the country, from all walks of life.''
  I believe Judge Chen brings valuable experience and a solid record of 
judicial fairness to the Federal court. He is faithful to the rule of 
law. He is committed to impartiality and equality for all. I believe 
that upon fair and honest consideration by my Senate colleagues, Judge 
Chen and his judicial record will earn approval. Judge Chen has my full 
support and deserves to be confirmed by the Senate without delay.

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