[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6995]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            ALLEN NOMINATION

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the 
nomination of Arenda Wright Allen to serve as the next U.S. district 
court judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.
  I am very pleased to see that our leadership came together to move 
this nomination forward. I want to recognize Chairman Leahy and Ranking 
Member Grassley for holding the nomination hearing and reporting this 
nomination by unanimous consent.
  Senator Webb and I had the privilege of interviewing several 
candidates to fill this vacancy on the bench. Ms. Wright Allen stood 
out for her exceptional qualifications and impressive record in the 
Norfolk community.
  She has spent her entire legal career in public service, beginning 
with her service as a JAG officer in the Navy.
  She also has the unique perspective of having served as both a 
prosecutor and a public defender. She spent 14 years serving as an 
assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and 1 year 
in the Western District of Virginia. Today, Ms. Wright Allen is a 
Federal public defender in Norfolk. Without a doubt, her extensive 
trial experience will go a long way on the bench.
  While I was considering Ms. Wright Allen's record, I read several 
letters of support for her nomination. In addition, the Virginia State 
Bar ranked Ms. Wright Allen as ``highly qualified,'' and she came 
``highly recommended'' by the Virginia Bar Association and the Virginia 
Women Attorneys Association.
  I would also be remiss not to mention the historic nature of this 
nomination. Ms. Wright Allen would be the first African-American woman 
to serve as a Federal district court judge in Virginia. I know she will 
serve with distinction and make all Virginians proud.
  Mr. President, President Obama nominated Ms. Wright Allen in January 
of this year. The time is now to confirm her nomination so that she can 
begin to serve the people in the Eastern District of Virginia.
  I look forward to casting my vote in support of Ms. Wright Allen's 
nomination and encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do 
the same.
  I hope the Presiding Officer, who has spent extensive time as a great 
attorney general, lawyer, and attorney of great repute and respect, 
will be able to join us in this effort.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the Senator withdraw his request?
  Mr. WARNER. Yes, I will be happy to withdraw my request.
  Mr. INHOFE. I thank the Senator from Virginia.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma is recognized.
  Mr. INHOFE. It is my understanding we are in morning business until 2 
o'clock.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.

                          ____________________