Nomination of Lauren J. King

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, this week, the Senate will consider Lauren King's nomination for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Ms. King is an incredibly qualified jurist with experience as a lawyer and a judge. If confirmed, she will make history--the first Native American Federal judge to serve in Washington's Western District, which is home to more than 25 federally recognized Tribes.

Ms. King received her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington, her law degree from the University of Virginia, and for more than 12 years, she has been a litigator in private practice. She has handled cases involving intellectual property, commercial contract disputes, construction litigation, and Tribal hunting and fishing rights.

In addition to her work in private practice, Ms. King has served the public as an appellate court judge in the Northwest Intertribal Court System. She has also advocated for her community as a member of the Seattle Indian Health Board, which provides care to Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.

Ms. King has long been recognized as a leader in the legal community. She served on the board of the Northwest Tribal Court Judges Association, has chaired both the Federal Bar Association's Indian Law Section Conference and the Washington State Bar Association's Indian Law Section.

How is she rated by the American Bar Association? ``Well qualified.''

Ms. King has the strong support of her home State Senators, Murray and Cantwell, and bipartisan support in our Judiciary Committee, with Ranking Member Grassley and Senator Graham joining us in supporting her nomination.

Her nomination has been endorsed by dozens of Tribes and Tribal organizations throughout the United States, including the National Congress of American Indians, the Native American Rights Fund, and the Midwest Alliance of Sovereign Tribes. Ms. King has given back to her community every step of her career.

With her confirmation, the Members of the Senate can continue the vital work of building the Federal judiciary that really reflects the diversity of this Nation.

I urge my colleagues to support her nomination.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source