Don Nickles: “I am pleased the Senate has just confirmed Joe Heaton, an outstanding individual and a superb attorney, to be U.S.…”

“I am pleased the Senate has just confirmed Joe Heaton, an outstanding individual and a superb attorney, to be U.S. district court judge for Oklahoma's Western District. President Bush could not have made a finer selection to serve our country as a district court judge. Joe Heaton is exceptionally well qualified and will prove to be a great asset to the judicial system in Oklahoma and our country. Joe graduated from Northwestern State College in his home town of Alva, OK, in 1973. Even before his graduation, Joe's commitment to public service was already evident. While still in school, he was elected to the Alva City Council and later was elected to serve as council president. Following graduation from college, Joe attended the University of Oklahoma School of Law where he excelled, making Oklahoma Law Review and Order of the Coif. He was also on the Dean's honor roll and won American Jurisprudence Awards in Constitutional Law and Conflicts of Law. Upon his graduation from law school Joe continued to dedicate himself to public service, this time coming here to Washington to serve as Legislative Assistant to Senator Dewey Bartlett. Returning to Oklahoma in 1977 he practiced law with the prestigious firm of Fuller, Tubb & Pomeroy. He is respected by his colleagues as an 'honorable and trustworthy leader and friend.' While engaged in civil practice, Joe was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives where he served until 1992.”