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Floor Speech

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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm Judge Vernon Oliver to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. Judge Oliver's long career on the bench and in public service make him an outstanding nominee to the Federal bench.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Judge Oliver received his B.A. and J.D. from the University of Connecticut. After spending approximately 3 years in private practice, Judge Oliver devoted the rest of his legal career to public service, serving as an Assistant State's Attorney in the division of criminal justice and as an Assistant Attorney General in the child protection unit of the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General.

In 2009, Judge Oliver was appointed to be a judge on the Connecticut Superior Court, presiding over criminal, civil, habeas corpus, and housing matters. On the bench, he has presided over more than 320 trials that have gone to verdict or judgment. He has also sat by designation on the Connecticut Appellate Court in three matters.

Judge Oliver has strong support from his home State Senators, Mr. Blumenthal and Mr. Murphy. In addition, he was unanimously rated ``well qualified'' by the American Bar Association. Judge Oliver's deep ties to Connecticut and significant courtroom experience, as a longtime litigator and on the bench, make him well-positioned to serve the District of Connecticut with distinction.

I urge my colleagues to support Judge Oliver's nomination.

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