Joe Manchin: “I rise today first of all to thank the senior Senator, my friend Senator Rockefeller, for nominating such a qualified…”

“I rise today first of all to thank the senior Senator, my friend Senator Rockefeller, for nominating such a qualified jurist upon the passing of our dear friend, Judge Blane Michael. Stephanie Dawn Thacker is a native of Hamlin, WV. We are awaiting her confirmation this afternoon with a vote which I know will be in the affirmative. It is my privilege and my honor to speak on her behalf also. Stephanie Thacker's impressive background and extensive list of accomplishments in both the public and private sectors make her an exceptional judge for the 4th Circuit. She is renowned in our state for her mastery of the law and of the courtroom, and I have no doubt that she will make a highly successful federal judge. Ms. Thacker has dedicated much of her career to fighting some of the worst offenses in our society. As a trial attorney, Deputy Chief of Litigation, and Principal Deputy Chief, she spent several years prosecuting cases, as you have heard, on Child Exploitation and Obscenity at the Department of Justice. Her outstanding work and leadership earned her a number of honors at the Department of Justice, including four ``Meritorious'' Awards and two ``Special Achievement'' awards. Her impressive performance in prosecuting the case of United States v. Dwight York earned her the Attorney General's ``Distinguished Service'' award, one of the Department's highest honors.…”