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Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm Jamar Walker to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Mr. Walker's commitment to public service and deep ties to the Virginia legal community will serve the district court well.

Born in Nassawadox, VA, Mr. Walker received his B.A. from the University of Virginia in 2008 and his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2011. He then clerked for Judge Raymond A. Jackson, whom he has now been nominated to succeed, on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Mr. Walker began his career in private practice in Washington, DC, where he specialized in commercial insurance litigation and products liability. He then joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia as an Assistant U.S. Attorney assigned to the Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Unit. In this role, Mr. Walker has prosecuted a wide range of cases, including bribery, money laundering, wire fraud, bank fraud, foreign corrupt practices, and securities fraud. Following 7 years of dedicated service, Mr. Walker was named the unit's acting chief in 2022.

Mr. Walker has spent nearly his entire legal career litigating in Federal court, and he has gained significant experience in both civil and criminal matters. In recognition of his expertise, the American Bar Association rated him ``well qualified'' to serve on the district court. He also has the strong support of Senators Warner and Kaine. And if confirmed, Mr. Walker would make history as the first openly LGBTQ article III Judge to serve in the State of Virginia.

I will vote in favor of his nomination, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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