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.
“IN RECOGNITION OF JOE GRAUPENSPERGER AND HIS SERVICE TO THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the in the Extensions of Remarks section section on page E72 on Jan. 28.
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:
IN RECOGNITION OF JOE GRAUPENSPERGER AND HIS SERVICE TO THE HOUSE
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
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HON. JERROLD NADLER
of new york
in the house of representatives
Friday, January 28, 2022
Mr. NADLER. Madam Speaker, I rise to thank Joe Graupensperger for his many years of service to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Joe came to the Committee after working at the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he handled a range of issues related to federal criminal law. He had previously practiced law in Washington, DC, and got his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Joe was already a veteran of the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice when he came to the Hill in 2009. Our Chairman at the time, John Conyers, Jr., brought him onto the team to handle crime policy for the Committee. Chairman Conyers's faith in Joe was well placed. Joe is, today, the Chief Counsel of our Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security--and in his span of service, Joe has drafted dozens of laws, run hundreds of hearings, and, without question, helped to improve the lives of millions of Americans.
Joe's track record speaks for itself. He has played a role in every major criminal justice reform effort that has been signed into law in the past dozen years, including the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, as well as laws to improve the National Instant Background Check System, address the rape kit backlog, reform surveillance practices, and establish rights for survivors of sexual assault.
In fact, last Congress alone, under Joe's leadership, the Crime Subcommittee advanced more than a dozen bills that were ultimately signed into law--despite a divided Congress and a Republican President. He has ensured that several other measures were signed into law this Congress as well.
This is Joe's last month as Chief Counsel for our Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Although we congratulate him on his engagement and wish him well on his move to Texas, we will miss his leadership, his friendship, and his steadfast dedication to justice for all. Simply put, our country is better off because of Joe's work as a public servant.
I thank Joe for his service to the Committee, and wish him the best of luck with this exciting next chapter.
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