Senator Specter Speaks On The Senate Floor Regarding The Nominations Of Richard Griffin And David Mckeague

SENATOR SPECTER SPEAKS ON THE SENATE FLOOR REGARDING THE NOMINATIONS OF RICHARD GRIFFIN AND DAVID MCKEAGUE

Jun 9, 2005 - Mr. President, President George W. Bush first nominated Judge Richard Allen Griffin to the Sixth Circuit on June 26, 2002.

During the 108th Congress, on June 16, 2004, the committee held a hearing on the nomination of Judge Griffin. He was successfully voted out of committee on July 20, 2004.

Judge Griffin is a judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals currently serving his 16th year on the court.

Judge Griffin is an outstanding and highly qualified candidate.

After graduating magna cum laude from Western Michigan University Honors College, Judge Griffin received his juris doctor from the University of Michigan Law School in 1977.

Upon graduating from law school, Judge Griffin clerked for the Honorable Washtenaw Circuit Judge Ross W. Campbell. He then became an associate and eventual partner at Coulter Cunningham, Davison & Read.

In 1985, Judge Griffin started his own firm, Read & Griffin, where he practiced a broad range of litigation, including automobile negligence, premises liability, products liability, and employment law. Judge Griffin engaged in both plaintiff and defense personal injury litigation.

During this time, Judge Griffin also provided pro bono legal services as a volunteer counselor and attorney with the Third Level Crisis Clinic.

In 1989, Judge Griffin successfully ran for the Michigan Court of Appeals. He was reelected to retain his seat in 1996, and again in 2002.

The American Bar Association rated Judge Griffin ``Well-Qualified'' for appointment to the Sixth Circuit.

Judge Griffin has engaged in numerous noteworthy activities. In addition to his duties on the Michigan Court of Appeals, Judge Griffin also devotes a significant amount of time to volunteer activities. Judge Griffin has served as president of the Grant Traverse Zoological Society since 1987. He also has served as chief judge of the YMCA Youth in Government Mock Trial Program since 1997.

Judge Griffin has widespread support.

Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States, said:

I can say with conviction that Judge Griffin is a person of the highest quality character. As the record shows, he has been a very excellent Judge with unquestioned integrity.

Maura D. Corrigan, chief justice, Michigan Supreme Court, said:

Judge Griffin brings a depth of practical experience and a grasp of real life problems to the decisions of cases ..... Richard Allen Griffin is a man of integrity and probity who is fully capable of discharging the duty of protecting our Constitution and laws. He is deserving of the public trust as he has already proven himself worthy of that trust during his years of service to the State of Michigan.

William C. Whitbeck, chief judge, Michigan Court of Appeals, said:

[T]here is no question that the United States Senate should promptly confirm Judge Griffin for the position on the Sixth Circuit ..... He is a decisive, scholarly judge with an instinct for the core issues and with a flair for authoring crisp, understandable opinions.

Stephen L. Borrello, judge, Michigan Court of Appeals, said:

Judge Griffin possesses a rare trait amongst my colleagues: an intrinsic sense of justice. His innate fairness is combined with a rigorous work ethic and a thorough grasp of legal issues. Judge Griffin is one of the finest jurists in this State.

Mr. President, Judge David McKeague was originally nominated by President George W. Bush on November 8, 2001, and was renominated by the President on February 14, 2005. He received a hearing on June 16, 2004, and was voted out of the Judiciary Committee on July 20, 2004.

Judge McKeague is extremely well qualified to sit on the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Judge McKeague has a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. Upon his graduation from law school, he joined the law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., in Lansing, MI, and was elected a shareholder and director of the firm. Judge McKeague served on the firm's Executive Committee in various offices, and was chairman of the firm's Government and Commerce Department, for many years before his confirmation to the Federal bench in 1992.

Since February 1992, Judge McKeague has served as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Judge McKeague has regularly participated by designation on, and authorized appellate opinions for, panels of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The American Bar Association has rated Judge McKeague as unanimously ``well-qualified'' for appointment to the Sixth Circuit.

Judge McKeague is an active member of the community and several professional associations. Judge McKeague has been active as a member of several community, local, and professional organizations, including the Judicial Conference of the United States, the Federal Judicial Center, the Michigan State and Ingham County bar associations. Both while in private practice and while on the Federal bench, Judge McKeague has directed and participated in numerous seminars, moot court competitions, and trial advocacy programs at high schools, universities and law schools throughout Michigan.

Prior to his confirmation to the Federal bench, he served 6 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. Since 1998, he has also served as an adjunct professor of law at Michigan State University's Detroit College of Law, where he teaches Federal Jurisdiction and Trial Advocacy.

Judge McKeague has the support of many attorneys and peers in Michigan, including several Democrats.

John H. Logie, attorney and Mayor of Grand Rapids, said:

What emerged from our mutual experiences was a deep admiration for Judge McKeague's concerns both with the processes of the court and with their impact on people. If these are matters that we want out appellate judges to have in equal measure, then I can and do assure you that he will be an excellent choice.

Paul D. Borman, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, said:

I have known Judge McKeague for seven years and I can vouch for his intelligence, hard work, and commitment to equal protection under the law.

Randall S. Levine, attorney and life-long Democrat, said:

Judge McKeague is extremely intelligence, possesses a sharp wit and keen intellect ..... His integrity is beyond reproach.

http://specter.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=SpecterSpeaks.Detail&SpecterSpeak_id=76&Month=6&Year=2005