[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8269]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        WELCOMING SENATOR CHIESA

  Mr. REID. Madam President, I welcome Senator Chiesa to the Senate. I 
congratulate him on his appointment to fill the seat of the late Frank 
Lautenberg. Senator Chiesa--I am sure we will struggle with that name 
for a little while until we get used to it, but I think I have done it 
just about right--has served as attorney general for the State of New 
Jersey.
  As attorney general, he has done some very remarkable work. He has 
worked with law enforcement and the State legislature to combat human 
trafficking, to protect children from predators, to crack down on gang 
violence. He implemented a successful gun buyback program that took 
10,000 weapons off the streets, including 1,200 illegal guns.
  I commend him for his efforts to keep New Jersey's streets safe, 
protecting Americans from gun violence. As we all know, that was 
something that was very close to Senator Lautenberg's heart.
  Prior to becoming attorney general, he served for 2 years as chief 
counsel to New Jersey Governor Christie, after leading the Governor's 
transition team. He spent 7 years in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the 
District of New Jersey and more than 10 years in private practice. He 
graduated from the University of Notre Dame, got his law degree from 
Catholic University in the District of Columbia and certainly because 
of that is familiar with the District of Columbia.
  I am confident he will serve the people of New Jersey with honor. I 
welcome him to the Senate.
  The VICE PRESIDENT. The Republican leader.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I would just add, I had an opportunity 
to meet with Jeff Chiesa and his wife earlier today. I think the 
Governor of New Jersey has made a wise appointment. We look forward to 
working with him in the coming months.

                          ____________________