S10122 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 6, 2009 and they do not want insurers turning limiting their choices, expanding gov- vision, which was a violation of Fed- people away. ernment control over health care, cut- eral law. We also know that during the In short, Americans are not happy ting Medicare, and raising taxes in the previous administration, the number of with the status quo. But they are just middle of the worst economy in mem- cases brought to protect the civil lib- as concerned, if not more so, with the ory, and then pushing it through with erties of Americans was greatly dimin- alternatives that the White House and as little public scrutiny as possible is ished, and the Department took a dif- a handful of Democrats on Capitol Hill not what they would call reform. ferent view, one that compromised the are pushing through Congress. f integrity and independence of the Civil Soon, the last of the five committees Rights Division. involved in this debate will finish its RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME So it is important we get back on work. After that, a handful of Demo- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- track, and that is why I am so pleased cratic Senators will get together in a pore. Under the previous order, the today that we are considering the con- closed conference room somewhere in leadership time is reserved. firmation of Tom Perez to be the head the Capitol to hash out a final product. f of the Civil Rights Division. Tom Their proceedings may be private, but brings a great background to this im- based on their stated preferences we EXECUTIVE SESSION portant assignment. He was educated have got a good sense of the basics. at where he received We know that the bill they send to his undergraduate degree, the John F. NOMINATION OF THOMAS E. the Senate floor will cut seniors’ Medi- Kennedy School of Government, and PEREZ TO BE AN ASSISTANT AT- care by half a trillion dollars; we know . He had experience TORNEY GENERAL that it will raise taxes on virtually ev- right out of law school as a prosecutor eryone; we know it will limit the The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- in the Civil Rights Division of the De- health care choices Americans now pore. Under the previous order, the partment of Justice. So from day one enjoy. And we know it will be a big Senate will proceed to executive ses- Tom Perez knew he had a calling to government bonanza: a $1 trillion sion to consider the following nomina- help improve the civil rights of Ameri- pricetag and 1,000 pages of indecipher- tion which the clerk will report. cans. Maybe it was because of his fam- able text. The legislative clerk read the nomi- ily background, the son of an immi- For the past 2 weeks, Americans have nation of Thomas E. Perez, of Mary- grant, maybe it was because of his been focused on the Senate Finance land, to be an Assistant Attorney Gen- commitment to the American dream, Committee. The real focus should be on eral. but he had that passion to help other the conference room where the final The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- people, to protect the civil liberties bill will be decided. That is because it pore. Under the previous order, the and civil rights of Americans. He rose is in that room that the Democratic time until 12:15 p.m. will be equally di- to become the Deputy Chief in the Di- leadership from the White House and vided and controlled between the Sen- vision’s criminal section. He was a Congress will attempt to decide the ator from , Mr. LEAHY, and the trial attorney for the Department of fate of health care for everyone. Their Senator from , Mr. SESSIONS, Justice. He then later took a very im- deliberations will be secret. And there or their designees. portant assignment in the Senate. He is only one direction these Senators The Senator from Maryland is recog- became special counsel to Senator Ted plan to take this legislation, and that nized. Kennedy. What a mentor for him. He is to the left. Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, first let We have seen what happens in these has commented frequently about his me say how pleased I am that we are year in the Senate and what a great kinds of closed deliberations before. now considering Tom Perez to head the Over the summer, members of the learning experience it was to under- Civil Rights Division. We in Maryland stand the importance of the Civil HELP Committee discovered after a are particularly proud because Tom month-long markup that a wellness Rights Division from the champion of Perez hails from our State. He has had civil rights in the Senate, Senator Ken- measure they had agreed to unani- a distinguished record in the State of mously in front of the cameras in July nedy. Maryland in service to the people of He then became a professor in civil was mysteriously taken out away from our State and also to the people of our the cameras sometime after a final rights law and later returned with an Nation. vote was taken on the bill. appointment to head the Civil Rights And we all remember how executives I am very pleased that we finally Division of the Department of Health at AIG ended up with multimillion dol- have gotten to this moment. The Civil and Human Services, continuously lar bonuses after nearly driving the Rights Division is the Nation’s moral working to promote civil rights. He de- company off a cliff. Those bonuses were conscience. It has been important to cided to take on a unique challenge and blessed in a closed-door meeting some- protect the rights of all Americans ran for county council in Montgomery where in the Capitol after a final vote against all forms of discrimination County, MD. I am familiar with all the on the stimulus bill had already taken whether it is in employment, whether jurisdictions of Maryland. Perhaps the place. it is in education, whether it is in most challenging is to be a county This bill already starts out with a housing, whether it is in voting, wheth- councilman in Montgomery County, flawed foundation of Medicare cuts, er it is in personal liberties or hate one of our most diverse counties and more taxes, more debt, and fewer crimes. It is what Americans turn to to the largest. He was the first Latino to health care choices. That is reason protect their rights. It has had a very become president of the county council enough for Americans to oppose it. proud history, the Civil Rights Divi- and took on the great challenges in Now the finishing touches will be added sion, since its inception, both under that county in a professional way and on in secret before a rush to the finish. Democratic and Republican adminis- was well respected. Proponents of the administration’s trations. It has had a steady course. Governor O’Malley appointed him as health care plan have been working There has been one notable excep- secretary of Labor, Licensing and Reg- hard over the past 2 weeks to convince tion. I think we all understand that ulation, a critically important part of the American people their concerns are during the previous administration the O’Malley cabinet. Then, President being heard. We will see if that has just there was an effort made to diminish Obama tapped him to be the head of been window dressing. The fact is, the the importance of the Civil Rights Di- the Civil Rights Division of the Depart- final bill will be worked out, out of vision. It triggered joint reports by the ment of Justice. On June 4, the Judici- sight, by a mere few whose decisions Office of Personal Responsibility and ary Committee recommended, by a 17- will affect everyone in America. Away the Office of the Inspector General. to-2 vote, strongly bipartisan, to rec- from the cameras, they will make deci- They issued a joint report on January ommend his confirmation to the entire sions that affect every single American 13, 2009. It found there was consider- Senate. As to reservations raised in the and one-sixth of our entire economy. ation of political and ideological affili- committee, after the confirmation Americans want commonsense re- ations in hiring career attorneys at the vote, we had meetings with Mr. Perez form. Reshaping the entire economy, Department of Justice, Civil Rights Di- and Members of the Senate to get a

VerDate Nov 24 2008 00:27 Oct 07, 2009 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A06OC6.001 S06OCPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with SENATE October 6, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10123 further understanding of their concerns Tom immediately rose to the occasion, and Perez helped shepherd the Governor’s agenda and to understand where Tom Perez has been especially instrumental in leading through the General Assembly. He conducted would lead the Civil Rights Division. I the charge to combat the foreclosure crisis, himself with grace and aplomb, confronting and in helping me craft an economic security skeptics and cynics with his earnest desire don’t want to comment for my col- package to assist straggling Marylanders. In to improve the lives of ordinary Maryland- leagues, but I thought those meetings 2007 he co-chaired the Homeownership Pres- ers. His work ethic and meticulous attention went extremely well. That is the type ervation Task Force, and by working with to the details of policy-making earned him of person Tom Perez is. He tries to all stakeholders, including both consumer the trust of lawmakers across the political work things out without compromising groups and banking representatives, he was spectrum, and he parlayed that trust into ex- the responsibilities of promoting civil able to craft consensus reforms that gained traordinary legislative success for working rights of all Americans. broad bipartisan support in the General As- families in our state. sembly. Those reforms, which lengthened the Mr. Perez championed Maryland’s efforts With this vote today, we can take a foreclosure process, strengthened lending to combat the foreclosure crisis. He brought major step forward to restore the in- and licensing standards and created new the banking industry together with con- tegrity, confidence, historical role, and tools to combat fraud, have been recognized sumer advocates to craft meaningful reform the reputation of the Nation’s most im- as some of the most sweeping in the nation. that put Maryland at the forefront of this portant agency to protect the civil One of the nation’s largest mortgage fraud critical issue. During this year’s legislative rights of all Americans. prosecutions originated in Tom’s office, and session, he brought labor organizations to- I ask unanimous consent to have has been a model of collaboration between gether with industry groups to fight fraudu- the state and federal prosecuting authori- lent misclassification of employees as inde- printed in the RECORD letters of sup- ties. pendent contractors. In both instances, he port we have received from the fol- I have been particularly impressed with won praise for bringing everyone to the table lowing individuals: Martin O’Malley, Tom’s leadership and management skills, as and crafting compromises which might oth- Governor of the State of Maryland; well as his ability to work across party lines erwise have proved elusive. Thomas Mike Miller, president of the with the Maryland General Assembly. Tom We would be remiss if we did not raise the Maryland Senate; Mike Busch, speaker inherited an agency with great potential time honored cliche´: the nation’s gain will be of the house of the Maryland General that was not firing on all cylinders. He tack- the State of Maryland’s loss. Mr. Perez’s un- led critical management and leadership chal- wavering obligation to the highest ideal of Assembly; John McCarthy, States at- lenges head on, and transformed DLLR from public service will be an asset to the Depart- torney for Montgomery County; along a second tier to a top tier agency. He has ment of Justice. His untiring commitment to with Anthony O’Donnell, the Repub- brought the Department recognition it never his work will earn him respect and admira- lican leader of the Maryland house of before received from lawmakers and other tion from his colleagues. His innate intel- delegates; and our colleagues in the officials in the State. Republicans and ligence and problem-solving abilities will Congress, CHRIS VAN HOLLEN, who rep- Democrats alike in the Maryland General help him move the Office of Civil Rights for- Assembly have praised his policy and legal ward to the benefit of all Americans. resents the eighth district; ELIJAH acumen, and his inclusive, engaging style. In the plainest and strongest terms pos- CUMMINGS, who represents the seventh While Tom’s nomination by President sible, we urge you to confirm Mr. Perez as congressional district; DUTCH Obama leaves us with the difficult task of Director of the Office of Civil Rights. He is a RUPPERSBERGER, who represents the finding someone as able and well-respected remarkable public servant, and he will be an second congressional district; STENY to fill his shoes, I know he is the right person exceptional asset to our nation during this HOYER, majority leader of the house to lead the Civil Rights Division back to tumultuous period in our history. from the fifth congressional district; prominence. I strongly support his confirma- Respectfully, tion, and I urge you to do the same. THOMAS V. MIKE MILLER, and ERIK PAULSEN, who represents the Sincerely, Jr., third congressional district of Min- MARTIN O’MALLEY, President of the Senate. nesota. Governor. MICHAEL E. BUSCH, There being no objection, the mate- Speaker of the House. rial was ordered to be printed in the MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY, RECORD, as follows: Annapolis, MD, April 22, 2009. STATE’S ATTORNEY FOR Senator , MONTGOMERY COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND, Annapolis, MD, April 21, 2009. Committee on the Judiciary, Dirksen Senate Of- Rockville, MD, April 20, 2009. fice Building, Washington, DC. Chairman PATRICK LEAHY, Hon. PATRICK LEAHY, DEAR CHAIRMAN LEAHY: We write to offer Chairman, U.S. Senate, Committee on the Judi- U.S. Senate, Dirksen Senate Office Building, an unqualified and unhesitating endorsement ciary, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC. of Thomas Perez’s nomination to serve as Di- DEAR CHAIRMAN LEAHY: I am writing to Washington, DC. rector of the United States Department of urge the confirmation of Tom Perez as As- Hon. ARLEN SPECTER, Justice’s Office for Civil Rights. We know sistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Ranking Member, U.S. Senate, Committee on Mr. Perez to be a passionate and tireless ad- Division at the Department of Justice. the Judiciary, Dirksen Senate Office Build- vocate, a dedicated and responsible civil Mr. Perez currently holds the position of ing, Washington, DC. servant, and a thoughtful and respected lead- Secretary of Maryland’s Department of DEAR CHAIRMAN LEAHY AND RANKING MEM- er. He will be a tremendous asset to the De- Labor Licensing and Regulation. In that ca- BER SPECTER: I am writing to express my partment of Justice. pacity, Tom took on the challenge of re- strong support for the nomination of Thomas Mr. Perez was appointed to serve as Mary- vamping a state agency that had been long Perez to be Assistant Attorney General for land’s Secretary of Labor, Licensing and neglected and widely seen as ineffective. Civil Rights at the Department of Justice. Regulation in January, 2007. He inherited a Under Tom’s leadership, this agency has Tom is a committed public servant who has historically underfunded agency beset by po- gained stature and become well respected by devoted his entire career to the people of litical challenges and morale problems—a lawmakers and other government officials. Maryland and this nation, and he is highly weaker leader could easily have been over- Tom has also served as Maryland’s leader qualified to lead the revitalization of the whelmed by the agency’s inertia. Where oth- to combat the mortgage foreclosure crisis. Civil Rights Division. ers might have seen problems, Mr. Perez saw Tom played a key role in helping to craft a The Department of Labor, Licensing and opportunity. From his first day as Secretary, legislative package that has been called Regulation (DLLR) has 1600 employees and Mr. Perez breathed new life into the depart- among the most sweeping in the nation. Tom wide ranging jurisdiction. Its responsibilities ment with a goal-oriented agenda and a com- was the first public official, that I am aware range from enforcement of labor laws to the mitment to pro-active, results-driven man- of, that several years before the current oversight of our state banking system and agement. mortgage crises became apparent, publicly regulation of certain mortgage originators, The Department of Labor, Licensing and talked about the danger that lurked ahead in to the administration of Unemployment In- Regulation supervises job training and America’s housing market due to a crisis in surance and workforce development pro- match services, unemployment insurance, sub-prime mortgages. grams. The Department has additional con- and many of the State’s licensing and regu- Tom is a committed career public servant. sumer protection responsibilities, and the latory boards. As Secretary, Mr. Perez had Tom spent 12 years in federal public service, job requires a person with a wide breadth to balance the interests of the business com- the majority as a federal prosecutor for the and depth of knowledge and experience. munity against our State’s commitment to Civil Rights Division. Tom served as special When I asked Tom to serve as Secretary of consumer protection. That can be a precar- counsel to Senator Edward Kennedy and was DLLR in 2007, I frankly had no idea that the ious tightrope, but he won praise from busi- his principal advisor on civil rights and issues within his agency’s jurisdiction would ness leaders and consumer advocates for his criminal justice. Tom was a law professor at occupy such a prominent role in my adminis- willingness to listen and his ability to forge the University of Maryland School of Law tration so soon. Shortly after I assumed of- consensus. from 2001–2007 where he taught a civil rights fice, we were immediately confronted by the In addition to his responsibility for the clinic focusing on employment issues, health foreclosure crisis and the national recession. day-to-day operations of the agency, Mr. law and criminal justice.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:46 Oct 07, 2009 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\G06OC6.005 S06OCPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with SENATE S10124 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE October 6, 2009 Tom is married to Ann Marie the business community as well as the non- tant policy areas without compromising his Staudenmaier (a public interest lawyer) and profit and faith communities. It has also al- commitment to helping people. In these father of three. Educated at our nation’s fin- lowed him to successfully spearhead the times of great economic distress, Tom has est universities including Brown and Har- State’s nation-leading efforts to combat the been a true voice for all Marylanders. vard, Tom is a brilliant and articulate man foreclosure crisis. He has a proven track Chairman Leahy, it is hard to imagine how of tremendous depth. record for making decisions based on input President Obama and Attorney General I urge you to act favorably on Tom’s nomi- from all stakeholders, and for being open to Holder could have made a better choice to nation and confirm him as Assistant Attor- all opinions even when they differ from his help them restore the Civil Rights Division ney General for the Civil Rights Division at own. as this nation’s leading defender of our fun- the Department of Justice. Prior to his service to his community and damental freedoms. While I acknowledge Very truly yours, his state, Tom served this country ably as a proper deference to the Senate’s constitu- JOHN J. MCCARTHY, career attorney in the Civil Rights Division. tional power and responsibility in this mat- State’s Attorney. His knowledge of the law and his respect for ter, I also believe that it is essential—and the Department of Justice as an institution appropriate—to add my personal voice in THE MARYLAND guarantee that he will lead the Division with support of this nomination. Tom Perez has committed his entire career HOUSE OF DELEGATES, integrity and with respect for the career Annapolis, MD, April 23, 2009. staff and their tireless work. His talent for to advancing civil rights and serving the public good. He is uniquely qualified to re- Hon. PATRICK LEAHY, building coalitions makes him a natural to U.S. Senate, Committee on the Judiciary, Dirk- reinvigorate the Division. pair what has been broken at the Civil sen Senate Office Building, Washington, Tom is an outstanding citizen and a de- Rights Division—and I urge his speedy con- firmation. DC. voted public official who has served his coun- DEAR CHAIRMAN LEAHY: As Minority Lead- ty, his state and his country with distinc- Sincerely, er of the Maryland House of Delegates, I am tion. I am honored to ask you to support his ELIJAH CUMMINGS, pleased to support the nomination of Thom- nomination. Member of Congress. as Perez for the position of Assistant Attor- Sincerely, ney General for Civil Rights. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, In my dealings with Secretary Perez, I Washington, DC, April 27, 2009. have always found him to be fair-minded and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Hon. PATRICK J. LEAHY, willing to listen to a variety of views on an Washington, DC, April 20, 2009. Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. issue. While we have not always agreed ulti- Hon. PATRICK LEAHY, Senate, Dirksen Building, Washington, DC. mately, I have been impressed by his willing- Chairman, U.S. Senate. Committee on the Judi- Hon. ARLEN SPECTER, ness to reach across the aisle. That is one ciary, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary, reason I believe Tom Perez is an excellent Washington, DC. U.S. Senate, Dirksen Building, Washington, choice to lead the Division of Civil Rights at DEAR CHAIRMAN LEAHY: I write to express DC. the Department of Justice. my strong, unqualified support for the con- DEAR CHAIRMAN LEAHY AND RANKING MEM- During Secretary Perez’s tenure at the De- firmation of Thomas Perez as Assistant At- BER SPECTER: I am writing to express my partment of Labor, Licensing, and Regula- torney General for the Rights Division of the strong support for the nomination of Thomas tion, he has convened diverse groups of United States Department of Justice. Perez for Assistant Attorney General for the stakeholders on the foreclosure crisis, adult The urgent need for strong, experienced Civil Rights Division of the United States education and workforce training, and the and motivated leadership of the Civil Rights Department of Justice and urge his con- misclassification of Maryland workers to Division cannot he overstated. firmation. The historic ascension of our first African Secretary Perez’s qualifications and cre- forge consensus and find common ground. American President and Attorney General dentials are exceptional. He is a nationally During the legislative session, he regularly reflect progress that is both substantive and recognized civil rights lawyer whose breadth seeks input from both Democratic and Re- lasting. As far too many Americans are pain- and depth of experience makes him an ideal publican members of the Maryland General fully aware, however, this progress does not choice to lead the Civil Rights Division. He Assembly. He also has been very responsive mean that our nation’s long journey toward knows the Division inside and out, because to my office regarding constituent issues and becoming a truly just and inclusive society he worked there for almost a decade in a va- helping to resolve the same without regard is at an end. riety of critical positions. As a prosecutor in to party. President Obama and Attorney General the Division, he was lead attorney in some of It is my belief that the reason Tom works Holder need the most qualified and deter- the Department’s most high profile and com- so hard to find comprehensive solutions to mined leadership in the Civil Rights Division plex civil rights cases. As Deputy Assistant the everyday problems Americans face be- that America’s legal community can pro- Attorney General for Civil Rights, he cause he truly has their best interests at vide. I am firmly convinced that Thomas oversaw complex litigation in the employ- heart. He is a committed public servant. I Perez exemplifies the character, experience ment and education areas. As a member of am confident that Tom will lead the Division and dedication that will be required. the nonpartisan Kaiser Commission on Med- with commitment and integrity. Tom Perez is gifted with a penetrating in- icaid and the Uninsured and the former Di- For those reasons, I support his nomina- tellect honed at Brown, The Harvard Law rector of the Office for Civil Rights at the tion and strongly urge his confirmation. School and The John F. Kennedy School of U.S. Department of Health and Human Serv- Sincerely, Government. His professional work has cou- ices, he has a keen understanding of health ANTHONY J. O’DONNELL, pled that intellectual acumen with an exem- care issues that are front and center in our Minority Leader. plary record of public service and dedication national dialogue. to civil rights. In Maryland, Secretary Perez, in his cur- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, He has consistently advanced and defended rent capacity as Secretary of Maryland’s De- Washington, DC, April 22, 2009. civil rights as a federal prosecutor for the partment of Labor, Licensing and Regula- Hon. PATRICK LEAHY, Civil Rights Division, Special Counsel for tion, has been a principal architect of Gov- Chairman, U.S. Senate, Committee on the Judi- Senator Edward Kennedy, Deputy Assistant ernor Martin O’Malley’s wide ranging, suc- ciary, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Attorney General for Civil Rights under cessful foreclosure prevention initiative. Washington, DC. former Attorney General , Direc- Secretary Perez led the legislative effort Hon. ARLEN SPECTER, tor of the Office of Civil Rights at the De- that resulted in the passage of a package of Ranking Member, U.S. Senate, Committee on partment of Health and Human Services and, reforms that were comprehensive and con- the Judiciary, Dirksen Senate Office Build- currently, as Maryland Secretary of Labor, sensus. He negotiated written agreements ing, Washington, DC. Licensing and Regulation. with six major mortgage servicing compa- DEAR CHAIRMAN LEAHY AND RANKING MEM- In addition, Tom Perez taught at the Uni- nies to provide meaningful relief to Mary- BER SPECTER: I am writing to offer my versity of Maryland School of Law from 2001 land homeowners in danger of foreclosure. wholehearted support for the confirmation of until 2007, where he advanced the school’s One of the largest ongoing mortgage fraud Thomas E. Perez as Assistant Attorney Gen- nationally recognized clinical law and health prosecutions in the nation originated in Sec- eral for Civil Rights. I’ve known Tom since program—and he currently serves on the fac- retary Perez’s office. 2002, and have had both the honor of serving ulty of the George Washington School of He has held leadership positions in federal, as his representative to Congress and the Public Health. state and local government, and has worked privilege of having him serve as my rep- On a personal note, I have been privileged in all three branches of the federal govern- resentative to the Montgomery County to work with Thomas Perez in his current ment. As such, he has an acute under- Council. role as Secretary of Maryland’s Department standing of the need for the federal govern- I have seen firsthand Tom’s ability to of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. He has ment to work in partnership with state and bridge divides and build coalitions in the in- been a vocal leader in our shared efforts to local governments to safeguard the civil terest of advancing the common good. combat foreclosures and improve workplace rights of all Americans. Throughout his service to the people of protections. Leading the Civil Rights Division, like Montgomery County and Maryland, this He has shown a great ability to bring par- running an Attorney General’s office, re- ability has gained him strong support from ties together and build consensus in impor- quires extensive legal, management and

VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:46 Oct 07, 2009 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A06OC6.006 S06OCPT1 jbell on DSKDVH8Z91PROD with SENATE October 6, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S10125 leadership skills, as well as extensive experi- Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing partment of Health and Human Serv- ence in building coalitions. Secretary Perez and Regulation, Secretary Perez has shown ices, where he worked to expand oppor- has led important agencies. He currently outstanding leadership throughout his career tunities for individuals with disabil- heads a Department of roughly 1600 employ- at all levels of government. ities to receive care and treatment in ees, and has held other leadership positions I have worked with Secretary Perez on in the federal government. He has a well many critical issues, and I consider him an community-based settings rather than earned reputation as a consensus builder. excellent choice for the Civil Rights Divi- institutions and helped develop land- Mr. Perez’s distinguished career dem- sion. He has already served there in a variety mark medical records privacy regula- onstrates his vast leadership ability, integ- of key positions. As a prosecutor in the Divi- tion. He was a special counselor to Sen- rity and commitment to public service. I am sion, he was the lead attorney in many high- ator . Currently, Mr. confident that Mr. Perez would make an ex- profile civil rights cases. As Deputy Assist- Perez serves as Maryland’s Secretary ant Attorney General for Civil Rights, he ceptional Assistant Attorney General for the of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. In Civil Rights Division and urge you to con- oversaw complex litigation in the employ- firm his nomination. ment and education areas. As a member of this position, he enforces workplace Sincerely, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the safety laws, protects consumers ERIK PAULSEN, Uninsured, as well as the former Director of through the enforcement of a wide Member of Congress. the Office for Civil Rights at the Department range of consumer rights laws, and col- of Health and Human Services, Secretary laborates with businesses and workers HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Perez would also bring to his new role a deep to address critical workforce develop- Washington, DC, April 27, 2009. understanding of health care disparities. In my state of Maryland, Secretary Perez led a ment needs. It is hard to imagine any- Hon. PATRICK LEAHY, one better prepared to serve as the As- Chairman, U.S. Senate, Committee on the Judi- 1,600-employee department and was the prin- ciary, Dirksen Senate Office Building, cipal architect of Governor O’Malley’s wide- sistant Attorney General for the Civil Washington, DC. ranging foreclosure prevention initiative. Rights Division. Hon. ARLEN SPECTER, Secretary Perez also negotiated written Mr. Perez has firsthand experience Ranking Member, U.S. Senate, Committee on agreements with major mortgage servicing fighting racially motivated crimes. Mr. the Judiciary, Dirksen Senate Office Build- companies to provide relief to homeowners Perez has firsthand experience stand- ing, Washington, DC. facing foreclosure. Leading the Civil Rights Division requires ing up for the disabled and patient pri- DEAR CHAIRMAN LEAHY AND SENATOR SPEC- vacy. He has firsthand experience pro- TER: I wish to add my strong support for the high-level management and consensus-build- nomination of Thomas Perez to be Assistant ing skills. I am confident that Secretary tecting the rights of workers and con- Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Perez possesses those skills, and I urge you sumers. Department of Justice. to confirm his nomination. I urge my colleagues to move expedi- Tom has dedicated his life to public serv- With warmest personal regards, I am tiously to confirm this nomination and ice, to the citizens of Maryland and to the Sincerely yours, put a man of rare and extensive experi- STENY H. HOYER. nation. He has a breadth of experience in the ence in charge of the Civil Rights Divi- law, public policy and management, and, he Mr. CARDIN. I ask unanimous con- sion for the benefit of all of our citi- is known as a fair minded, knowledgeable sent that time during quorum calls be zens. and agreeable advocate for his clients, his equally charged to both Democrats and law students and the public at large. Thank you, Mr. President. Republicans. I suggest the absence of a quorum. I was impressed that after Tom’s service in The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- very important posts in the Administration pore. Without objection, it is so or- of President , he worked to put pore. The clerk will call the roll. dered. into practice the policies he advocated. He The bill clerk proceeded to call the Mr. CARDIN. I suggest the absence of chose to work in local government, winning roll. election to the Montgomery County Council quorum. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, I ask in Maryland and earning the support of his unanimous consent that the order for constituents and confidence of his colleagues pore. The clerk will call the roll. on the Council when they elected Tom their The legislative clerk proceeded to the quorum call be rescinded. President. At the same time, Tom commuted call the roll. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. to and taught public service advo- Mr. MERKLEY. I ask unanimous GILLIBRAND). Without objection, it is so cacy to law students at the University of consent that the order for the quorum ordered. Maryland, Baltimore Law School. call be rescinded. Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, I ask Most recently, Tom demonstrated his man- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- unanimous consent to speak as in agement skills as the Secretary of Mary- pore. Without objection, it is so or- morning business. land’s Department of Labor, Licensing and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Regulation. He energized the agency and put dered. it at the forefront of the effort to help Mary- Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, this objection, it is so ordered. land homeowners facing foreclosure, along morning I rise to make a few remarks f in support of the nomination of Tom with many other reforms to help protect DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS consumers. He was well respected by legisla- Perez as Assistant Attorney General tors in Annapolis from both sides of the aisle for the Civil Rights Division. Mr. Perez Mr. BURRIS. Madam President, as serving in the Maryland General Assembly. is an exceptionally qualified nominee. we debate this Defense appropriations I believe Tom possesses the talents and His nomination was reported out of the bill, many of my colleagues have dis- skills to make the Civil Rights Division an cussed the commitment we make to outstanding performer in the Justice Depart- Judiciary Committee on a strong bi- ment. I hope your Committee will act favor- partisan vote of 17 to 2. He has the those who serve this country in uni- ably and expeditiously on the President’s backing of a bipartisan group of former form. It is a commitment that begins nomination for Tom to serve our Country heads of the Department of Justice on the day they volunteer for military again. Civil Rights Division, the backing of service, and it extends through their Respectfully, State attorneys general, and the back- retirement and beyond. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER. ing of other elected officials. His varied Just as we have an obligation to experience will serve him well in many servicemembers who work in harm’s HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, way, we need to offer strong support Washington, DC, April 21, 2009. aspects of this position. for those who are left here at home. Hon. PATRICK J. LEAHY, He was a career employee with the Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Civil Rights Division for 10 years and Military families bear a burden that Senate, Dirksen Building, Washington, DC. understands the importance of enforc- must not be forgotten. They deserve Hon. ARLEN SPECTER, ing the law without regard to politics. our utmost gratitude. And their sta- Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary, He has taken on racially motivated bility and well-being affect the readi- U.S. Senate, Dirksen Building, Washington, crime through the prosecution of White ness of our Armed Forces. Our soldiers, DC. supremacists who went on a fatal sailors, airmen and marines cannot af- DEAR CHAIRMAN LEAHY AND RANKING MEM- crime spree in Lubbock, TX, and the ford to be distracted by worries about BER SPECTER: I strongly support for the nom- ination of Thomas Perez for Assistant Attor- perpetrators of cross burning designed those they leave at home. We need to ney General for the Civil Rights Division of to intimidate an interracial family. address the needs of these families, not the Department of Justice, and. I urge his Mr. Perez served as Director of the only to honor the sacrifices they make, speedy confirmation. Currently leading Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. De- but also to provide stability. Quality

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