Executive Session

Floor Speech

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Ms. STABENOW. Madam President, I rise today to strongly urge my colleagues to support the nomination of an outstanding judge, Gershwin Drain, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. We will have an opportunity to vote in a few minutes. Senator Levin and I join together in the strongest possible recommendation to our colleagues on this nomination. I have known Judge Drain for many years. I can tell you he is a very impressive individual with a long record of excellent public service. He has served in the district court, the Detroit Recorder's Court and the Wayne County Circuit Court.

He is active in the community. When I am in the community and have the opportunity to be at events that are important for people, for families, for communities, for children, for economic development, Judge Drain is always there, supporting the efforts of Detroit and of Michigan.

He is of course dedicated to his incredible family, who I know is very proud of him, as we are. But don't take my word for it. The American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary unanimously rated Judge Drain ``qualified'' to serve on the District Court. He was named a ``Man Of Excellence'' by the Michigan Chronicle newspaper, and the Detroit News named him ``Michiganian of the Year''--both very prestigious recognitions in Michigan.

This is a very important judgeship that has been vacant for more than 2 years. It is important for people in Michigan and throughout the eastern district to be able to have the full measure of justice they expect and deserve when coming before the court. It is very important that we fill this vacancy.

I am appreciative and proud that the President of the United States has nominated him. I appreciate the support of the Judiciary Committee in bringing this nomination forward and the agreement to allow us to vote on this nominee.

Judge Drain has the qualifications, the experience, and the temperament for this very important position. I strongly urge my colleagues to support his nomination and to vote yes when it comes before us in the next few minutes.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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