[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 5979-5980]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MATT MINER

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I rise today to say goodbye to one of 
the most trusted members of my staff, my chief counsel on the Judiciary 
Committee, Matt Miner. Matt is leaving to join the prestigious law firm 
of White and Case, where he will be a partner in the Global White 
Collar Practice Group. Matt has been with me since 2008, and I have 
always been able to rely on his steady, informed judgment, his 
discretion, and his indispensable expertise that came from years of 
practicing law both as an assistant U.S. attorney in Montgomery, AL, 
and in private practice.
  Before joining my staff, Matt served as counsel to chairman Norm 
Coleman on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and as chief 
counsel for crime, terrorism and oversight for former chairman and 
ranking member Arlen Specter on the Judiciary Committee. Matt has ably 
served on my staff for the last 3 years, but his time as Republican 
staff director of the full Judiciary Committee during the end of the 
111th Congress was especially noteworthy. Matt led the committee during 
that difficult time, when many last-ditch efforts were made to move 
flawed legislation to the finish line.
  As a former assistant U.S. attorney, Matt is widely known and 
respected by Members and staff on both sides of the aisle for his 
expertise and judgment in the areas of criminal law and sentencing. 
Matt was the principal Senate Republican staffer for the Adam Walsh Act 
of 2006, landmark legislation that laid the groundwork for a national, 
interstate sex offender registry and which imposed tough new penalties 
and expanded offenses that cracked down on sex trafficking of minors, 
child pornography, and various sexual assault offenses. Matt also was 
the key staffer for the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which 
appropriately modified penalties for crack cocaine offenses. His 
knowledge and judgment were key to negotiating a bill that moderated 
these penalties while ensuring sufficient deterrence for dealers and 
traffickers.
  Matt is also highly regarded for his expertise on national security 
issues and was an invaluable resource not only to me but to other 
Members and their staffs during critical debates on the PATRIOT Act, 
media shield, and state secrets. And during my time as ranking member, 
Matt helped to manage two Supreme Court confirmations and numerous 
high-level Justice Department confirmations.
  Importantly, Matt has always taken the time to be a mentor to several 
junior lawyers and staff on the Judiciary Committee, talking with them 
about opportunities and careers and teaching them how to be effective 
lawyers. I know the junior lawyers on the committee very much 
appreciate that guidance.

[[Page 5980]]

  A Senator is blessed indeed if he has top staff people of outstanding 
ability and dedication, but it is a special blessing if the staff 
person can be depended on to properly reflect and advance the Senator's 
highest and best values. Matt has my trust and confidence. When he 
summarizes a complex issue, I know he has intelligently considered it 
and has fairly reported the pros and cons. Such an ability is rare, and 
it has been exceedingly valuable to me. Matt has served his country 
well, advanced the rule of law, and been a tremendous asset to me as I 
seek to fulfill my duty to the people of this country.
  I am happy for him in this new position and wish him Godspeed.

                          ____________________