Patrick Leahy: “as a nation, today we find ourselves contemplating the key tenets upon which our country was founded: the importance of…”

“as a nation, today we find ourselves contemplating the key tenets upon which our country was founded: the importance of truth and equality, the pursuit of justice, and the determination of what is right. Doug Jones has pursued justice and has fought for equality and for what is right for his entire career. Doug is one of the most dedicated, thoughtful and decent public servants I have ever had the privilege to know and work with in my time in the Senate. He leaves the Senate having only furthered that record of public service. Doug brought with him to the Senate a passion for civil rights and for resolving prior injustices. As U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, he fought against entrenched racial injustice. He prosecuted the men responsible for the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church: and indicted domestic terrorist Eric Rudolph. In the Senate, he continued the pursuit of justice as a vocal advocate for greater government transparency and authored legislation that has expanded access to criminal investigation records for civil rights cases, helping families and individuals to resolve injustices after decades of inaction. I am certain that, even as he leaves the Senate, Doug will continue to represent and to fight for what is right. His has been an important and uniquely qualified voice for justice voice in the Senate these last few years, and I will miss his sound judgment and thoughtful advocacy.…”