Ted Poe: “I support House Resolution 71 which acknowledges the lifelong service of Griffin Bell to the State of Georgia and, of…”

“I support House Resolution 71 which acknowledges the lifelong service of Griffin Bell to the State of Georgia and, of course, to the United States. Griffin Bell was the son of a cotton farmer, and he rose to become one of the most respected legal counselors in the whole United States. He was appointed by President Kennedy to serve as a judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He left the court after 14 years of service on that bench to rejoin the law firm of King and Spalding. In 1986, President Jimmy Carter nominated him to become the Attorney General of the United States. In that role, Judge Bell operated in a remarkably open manner that has not been duplicated since. Every day, he would publicly post his contacts with third parties, including meetings and calls from the White House, Members of Congress, and others outside the Justice Department. His efforts to strengthen transparency of his office did much to rebuild confidence in the Justice Department after the Watergate scandal. As Attorney General, Judge Bell led the effort to pass the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.”