Herb Kohl: “Charles Clevert has accomplished a number of ``firsts'' in his life. He was the first member of his family to go to…”

“Charles Clevert has accomplished a number of ``firsts'' in his life. He was the first member of his family to go to college. He was the first African-American assistant U.S. Attorney in Wisconsin. When he was appointed in 1977, he was the youngest bankruptcy judge in the country. Today, as he is confirmed by the Senate, he becomes the first African-American Federal district court judge in Wisconsin history. In my opinion, it is critical that our Federal judiciary try to reflect the diversity that is America. But while we are gratified that Judge Clevert will add diversity to our Federal bench, he was nominated for one simple reason: he was the most qualified. Let me tell you why President Clinton could not have made a better choice to fill the vacancy created when Terry Evans--himself an outstanding judge--was elevated to the Seventh Circuit. First, Charles Clevert is a jurist of extraordinary intelligence and unquestioned skill. Practicing lawyers consistently rank him among the finest judges in Wisconsin. Attorneys who appear before Judge Clevert repeatedly praise him for his integrity, fairness and demeanor. He received similar high marks from members of the nonpartisan nominating commission--which Senator Feingold and I established with the State bar--who made Judge Clevert one of the finalists for the Eastern District vacancy. The ABA gave him a ``well-qualified'' rating, the highest grade possible for any nominee.”