The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Nomination of Gustavo A. Gelpi (Executive Session)” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the in the Senate section section on page S7021 on Oct. 18.
The Department is one of the oldest in the US, focused primarily on law enforcement and the federal prison system. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, detailed wasteful expenses such as $16 muffins at conferences and board meetings.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Nomination of Gustavo A. Gelpi
Finally, Madam President, today the Senate will vote to confirm Gustavo Gelpi to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Judge Gelpi is a highly qualified jurist who has two decades of experience on the bench. When confirmed, he will be only the second judge of Hispanic origin and the second judge from Puerto Rico to serve on the First Circuit.
I would like to take just a moment to discuss his extensive qualifications and experience. Throughout his career, Judge Gelpi has dedicated himself to public service. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he gained a keen understanding of the need for fairness and impartiality in our system of justice. He worked as a public defender as well as prosecutor. He served in the Puerto Rican Department of Justice, where he handled criminal matters on behalf of the attorney general of Puerto Rico.
In 2001, Judge Gelpi was selected to serve as magistrate judge for the District of Puerto Rico. Five years later, his impressive judicial record caught the attention of President George W. Bush, who nominated him to serve as district judge for the District of Puerto Rico. With Senate Republicans in the majority, Judge Gelpi's nomination received unanimous support in both the Senate Judiciary Committee and on the floor of the Senate.
Having served as a Federal judge for 20 years, Judge Gelpi is eminently qualified to sit on the First Circuit. He has already presided over 3,400 cases, 62 jury trials, and issued almost 900 written opinions.
He is a real judge. He is well versed in both complex and civil criminal matters and was rated unanimously ``well qualified'' by the American Bar Association.
Judge Gelpi's nomination is yet another example of the Biden administration and Senate Democrats working to advance judicial nominees to bring professional and demographic diversity to the Federal bench. The fact that Judge Gelpi has been nominated by both Republican and Democratic Presidents is almost historic and is certainly a testament to his evenhandedness and fidelity to the rule of law. Leaders on both sides of the aisle trust that he will rule impartially and without regard for partisanship.
Once he is confirmed as only the second judge of Hispanic origin to serve on the First Circuit, Judge Gelpi will help build a Federal bench that truly reflects the diversity of America. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting Judge Gelpi's nomination.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Duckworth). Without objection, it is so ordered.
