Mr. President, a few weeks ago I stood here on the floor and offered my support for Jeff Viken to be a District Judge for South Dakota.  That nomination passed with a vote of 99-0. 

Today, I am here to encourage my colleagues to offer the same support for Roberto Lange, also a nominee to be a District Judge for South Dakota.  I spoke at that time of the importance of federal judgeships and the lifetime tenure of these appointments.  The lifetime appointment of a federal judge is a very serious decision; one that has a lasting impact on our democracy. 

When I last spoke on the floor nearly a month ago, only two judges had been confirmed -- including now-Justice Sotomayor.  That day, we confirmed a third judge.  That confirmation was Jeff Viken to fill a vacancy in my home state of South Dakota.  Since that time no other judges have been confirmed by the Senate.

I am proud to have both the third and the fourth judge confirmed by the Senate this Congress to be for the District of South Dakota.  However, it is my understanding that there are currently ten other judicial nominations pending on the Executive Calendar.  We are lucky in South Dakota to have our vacancies filled so quickly, but I encourage my colleagues to act swiftly to fill these other vacancies. 

Mr. Lange has an impressive background.  He has over 20 years of experience practicing law in South Dakota.  Before that, he clerked for the very same docket that he has been nominated for.   He attended Northwestern University School of Law on a full tuition scholarship where he was on the Dean’s list every semester.  Prior to that, he completed his undergraduate degree at the University of South Dakota, my law school alma mater.  

In addition, Bob has received a well qualified rating from the American Bar Association. 

I am proud to have put Bob’s name forward for this post.  It is a great honor that President Obama has placed on Bob with this nomination.  South Dakota will be well served by this selection.  I want to congratulate Bob and his family on this accomplishment. 

Mr. President, it is with great confidence in his abilities that I will cast my vote today for the confirmation of Roberto Lange to be the next United States Federal District Judge for South Dakota.  I urge my colleagues to support this very qualified nominee.