[Page S6624]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                   Nomination of Sarah French Russell

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Sarah F. Russell to the U.S. District Court for the District of 
Connecticut.
  Born in Boston, MA, Russell earned her B.A., magna cum laude, at Yale 
College in 1998 and her J.D. at Yale Law School in 2002. After 
graduating from law school, Russell served as a law clerk to the 
Honorable Michael B. Mukasey on the U.S. District Court for the 
Southern District of New York from 2002 to 2003 and the Honorable 
Chester J. Straub on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals from 2003 to 
2005. Russell then served as an assistant Federal public defender 
between 2005 and 2007 in the Office of the Federal Public Defender for 
the District of Connecticut. In this role, she tried five jury trials 
to verdict. She then served as director of the Arthur Liman Public 
Interest Program, lecturer in law, and associate research scholar in 
law at Yale Law School from 2007 to 2010.
  Since 2011, Russell has taught law at the Quinnipiac University 
School of Law in various roles, including most recently as a professor 
of law and the director of the legal clinic. Russell's scholarship has 
primarily centered on topics related to juvenile justice.
  The American Bar Association rated Russell as ``well qualified,'' and 
her nomination is strongly supported by her home State Senators, Mr. 
Blumenthal and Mr. Murphy.
  Russell is an academic and former Federal public defender whose 
litigation experience and deep commitment to equal justice will be an 
asset to the District of Connecticut.
  I am proud to support her nomination.
  Mrs. MURRAY. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. COONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. COONS. I ask unanimous consent that the scheduled vote occur 
immediately.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.