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 John Z. Lee (Executive Session)” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S4421-S4422 on Sept. 6.
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 John Z. Lee
Mr. President, later today, we will add, I hope, one more name to this impressive roster. The Senate will vote on the nomination of Judge John Lee, who was selected for the Illinois seat on the Seventh Circuit.
If confirmed, Judge Lee will be the first Asian-American judge ever to serve on the Seventh Circuit. His confirmation will mark yet another stride forward in building a judiciary that reflects the diversity of our Nation.
Judge Lee was born to Korean parents in Germany. His father was a coal miner. His mother was a nurse. He arrived in America at the age of 4 and settled with his family in a one-bedroom apartment in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago.
It wasn't easy starting off in kindergarten in a new land, but Judge Lee says he found the support of a nurturing community of classmates and teachers. He quickly learned English and excelled in school, graduating magna cum laude from Harvard College and cum laude from Harvard Law School.
He began his legal career as a trial attorney in the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Justice Department before working in private practice in Chicago. His practice focused on complex litigation, including antitrust and intellectual property.
In 2011, President Biden nominated Judge Lee to the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. When he was confirmed in 2012 by voice vote, Judge Lee became the first Korean American to serve as an article III judge in Illinois.
Since joining the bench, he has written hundreds of opinions and presided over 35 trials that went to verdict or judgment. He also sat by designation on the Seventh Circuit, a number of times, writing several opinions for the majority.
During his time on the bench, he always applied the law to the facts before him in an evenhanded and fair fashion. Given his impeccable record and impressive credentials, it is no surprise that the American Bar Association has rated John Lee unanimously ``well qualified'' for this circuit court position.
He has the strong support of myself and Senator Duckworth. I urge my colleagues to join us.
I want to close by emphasizing this: Our work is not finished by a long shot. Judge Lee is one of ten circuit court nominees awaiting action by the full Senate, and many more are still moving through the Committee. Each one of these public servants will bring much needed professional and demographic diversity.
The judges being confirmed by this Senate will ensure that the rule of law applies to every single one of us without fear or favor. They will work to uphold America's most sacred promise--equal justice for all.
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. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
