Executive Session: Nomination of Consuelo Maria Callahan, of California, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth CIrcuit

May 22, 2003

EXECUTIVE SESSION

NOMINATION OF CONSUELO MARIA CALLAHAN, OF CALIFORNIA, TO BE UNITED STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I express my enthusiastic support for the confirmation of Consuelo Callahan to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Justice Callahan is an outstanding nominee with broad support on both sides of the aisle. She has the support of both of the distinguished senators from her home state of California, and she was unanimously approved by the Judiciary Committee the day after her hearing.

Justice Callahan received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University and her law degree from McGeorge School of Law. In 1976, she began her 10-year career as a Deputy District Attorney with the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office where she specialized in the prosecution of child abuse and sexual assault cases. During her 10-year career as a prosecutor, she handled more than 50 jury trials.

Justice Callahan also has first-hand experience with breaking the gender barrier. In 1992, she was appointed to the Superior Court in San Joaquin County, where she was the first female and Hispanic to serve on that court. She was also the first female member of two local social and service organizations. In 1996, Justice Callahan became the first judge from San Joaquin County to be elevated to the California Court of Appeal in more than 73 years.

In addition to her outstanding career as a prosecutor and a jurist, she has donated her time to organizations involved in addressing the problem of child abuse and sexual assault and has received an award for her work in this area. She has received other awards during her career, including the Governor's award for Criminal Justice Programs and the Susan B. Anthony award for Women of Achievement. In 1999, Justice Callahan was inducted into the San Joquin County Mexican-American Hall of Fame.

The Committee has received numerous letters supporting Justice Callahan's nomination to the Ninth Circuit. The La Raza Lawyer's Association of Sacramento described Justice Callahan's professional qualifications in the following way: "as a state appellate court justice, her opinions have been detailed, thoughtful and supportive of legal precedent. .    .    . She possesses both the intellect and temperament to be an outstanding justice of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals."

The ten justices that serve with Justice Callahan on the Third Appellate District and work with her every day also sent a letter to the Committee praising her skills as a jurist. They write, "During her more than six years on our court, Connie has shown that she has the integrity, capacity, collegiality, and diligence to serve with distinction on the Ninth Circuit. Our only reservation in recommending her confirmation is that it will mean a significant loss to our court. We will miss Connie's energy and enthusiasm, her legal skills, and the positive way in which she fulfills her responsibilities as an appellate jurist."

Her colleagues' loss will be the federal judiciary's gain, as I have great confidence that the beleaguered Ninth Circuit will greatly benefit from her confirmation. I urge my colleagues to support this nomination.