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Floor Speech
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Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm Jerry Edwards, Jr., to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
Born in Shreveport, LA, Mr. Edwards received his B.A. from Georgia State University and his J.D. from Vermont Law and Graduate School before clerking for Judge Scott J. Crichton and Judge Jeanette G. Garrett on the First Judicial District Court of Louisiana. He then entered private practice in Shreveport, where he maintained a diverse litigation practice. In 2019, Mr. Edwards joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana as an assistant U.S. attorney. He defended Federal Agencies in civil cases and also handled affirmative work on behalf of Federal Agencies. In 2022, he was appointed first assistant U.S. attorney. In that role, he oversees civil litigation and the prosecution of various Federal crimes.
Mr. Edwards has significant experience in both State and Federal court, and he has tried nine cases to verdict, including two jury trials. Mr. Edwards has also been involved in a variety of legal activities outside of his legal practice. He is a member of the Louisiana Supreme Court Committee on Bar Admissions, and he previously served on the Louisiana Judiciary Commission.
Mr. Edwards enjoys the strong support of both of his home State Senators--Mr. Cassidy and Mr. Kennedy--as well as the Louisiana legal community. The American Bar Association unanimously rated Mr. Edwards as ``well qualified'' to serve on the Western District of Louisiana. If confirmed, he will be the first person of color to ever sit on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
During Mr. Edwards's confirmation hearing, Senator Cassidy noted that ``Mr. Edwards's commitment to his community and bar is a personal credit to the character required to be a successful judge.'' I am confident that Mr. Edwards' character, strong ties to the Western District of Louisiana, and extensive legal experience ensure that he will be a successful judge on the Federal bench. I strongly support his nomination, and I urge my colleagues to join me.
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