David Thomas: “Today is a very proud day for the State of Wyoming and Terrence L. O'Brien. Just a moment ago, the full Senate confirmed…”

“Today is a very proud day for the State of Wyoming and Terrence L. O'Brien. Just a moment ago, the full Senate confirmed Mr. O'Brien for Wyoming's vacant seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit by a vote of 98-0. As Wyoming's senior Senator, the responsibility of forwarding judicial nominees to the President is a job that I take very seriously. I am honored to have had the opportunity to assist in the filling of Wyoming's seat on the court. In May of 2001, Wyoming's previous judge on the Tenth Circuit, Wade Brorby, announced his move to senior status. Following that announcement, I quickly formed a selection committee in my home State to review qualified candidates. After an extensive process, the selection committee presented me with three candidates all with exceptional backgrounds to serve on the Tenth Circuit. Terrence O'Brien was one of the three candidates I forwarded to President Bush. On August 3, 2001, President Bush formally nominated Terrence O'Brien to the Tenth Circuit and the President's decision reaffirmed what I believed all along--that Judge O'Brien is an outstanding selection to fill Wyoming's seat on the court.”