Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I am pleased, of course, the Senate will be voting on Judge Ed Prado to move to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He…”

“I am pleased, of course, the Senate will be voting on Judge Ed Prado to move to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has been a judge on the district bench for a number of years--actually, since 1984--and he has an outstanding record. He was a great choice by the President, and this is a circuit that needs these vacancies filled. There is no question it is a judicial emergency. We hope to fill this seat with Judge Prado, and then we hope Justice Priscilla Owen will also fill the other vacancy for the Fifth Circuit, that is open, from Texas. Judge Prado has an outstanding record. He graduated from the University of Texas and the University of Texas Law School, a great university in our Nation. He also has served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District. He served as judge on the State district court. This is a man who has made public service his career, and an outstanding one at that. He is so well regarded in San Antonio and by the people who have gone before him. They know they will get fair and impartial justice in his court. That is why I am pleased to support his nomination. This nomination has moved very quickly. We are very pleased because of the vacancies on the Fifth Circuit. But the ABA agreed that he had the 'well qualified' unanimous approval of their committee. There is just no controversy at all with this wonderful judge. It is my pleasure as a Texan to support and urge my colleagues to support the nomination of Judge Ed Prado.”