Daniel Inouye: “I am pleased to recommend to my colleagues for their approval the President's nominee to the U.S. district court for the…”

“I am pleased to recommend to my colleagues for their approval the President's nominee to the U.S. district court for the district of Hawaii, Ms. Susan Oki Mollway. Ms. Mollway was nominated to fill a vacancy created more than 3 years ago by the untimely and unexpected death of the Honorable Harold F. Fong. An empty judgeship is considered a judicial emergency after 18 months. This seat has been vacant for more than twice that time. In 1990, under Public Law 101-65, the Congress determined that Hawaii's Federal caseload called for increasing its Federal bench from three to four positions. However, the Honorable Helen Gillmor was not confirmed for that fourth seat until October 31, 1994. Then Judge Fong passed away on April 20, 1995, returning Hawaii to three sitting district judges. Thus, Hawaii has had the benefit of the fourth judgeship for less than 6 months since its authorization in 1990.”