Durbin Receives Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

Durbin Receives Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter's Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

Durbin receives award in honor of his decades-long work on the Senate Judiciary Committee

CHICAGO - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today was presented the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his longstanding efforts to support the federal judiciary and his decades-long work on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee during the Biden Administration, Durbin led the effort in the Senate to confirm 235 lifetime federal judges-the largest number of confirmations in a single term since the Carter Administration. These 235 judges represent more than a quarter of the federal bench. The 235 judicial confirmations include: 187 district court nominees; 45 circuit court nominees; one Supreme Court nominee; and two Court of International Trade nominees. During Durbin's tenure in the U.S. Senate, 58 federal judges have been confirmed in Illinois-52 district judges and six Seventh Circuit Illinois seats.

Photos of Durbin at today's event can be found here.

Key Quotes as prepared for delivery:

"Judge Harjani, thank you for that warm introduction and congratulations on the conclusion of your term as president of the Federal Bar Association's Chicago Chapter."

"I would also like to thank the Chicago Chapter for this award and all of you for being here today-it is a pleasure to be surrounded by so many familiar faces."

"In listening to that introduction, I was reminded of something that District of Minnesota Judge Patrick Schiltz said earlier in September. He remarked that, 'The rule of law to democracy is like oxygen to a human body. It is something that you absolutely need to survive.' I think that sentiment encapsulates the mission we have as lawyers, judges, and members of Congress."

"In our positions, we serve as the lungs of democracy-the decisions we make, in the courtroom and on the Senate Floor, affect how Americans experience justice."

"I kept that sentiment top of mind when I chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and led the effort to confirm 235 judges under President Biden-the largest number of confirmations in a single term since the Carter Administration. Every single one of these judges received at least a 'Qualified' rating from the American Bar Association. But these nominees were more than just qualified. They were a group of people that reflected the rich demographic and professional diversity of our nation and legal profession."

"These nominees came from all walks of life-they were labor lawyers, civil rights lawyers, and public defenders. And those 235 judges include more women and women of color confirmed to the bench than any other presidential administration in history. That of course includes Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman and first former public defender on the Supreme Court."

"For nearly 30 years as a Senator, I took the responsibility of recommending judicial nominees to the President-along with the Senators I have served alongside with-very seriously. Over the course of my Senate career, 58 federal judges have been confirmed to lifetime appointments in Illinois, including 37 confirmed to the Northern District and six to Seventh Circuit Illinois seats-many of whom are here today."

"These jurists, like the Federal Bar Association, represent the best of the bar in Illinois-former prosecutors, public defenders, private practitioners, and civil rights lawyers. And that is true, from Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer-the first judge confirmed to the bench when I became a Senator-to Judge April Perry-the most recent judge confirmed."

"Unfortunately, these judges are serving at a time when our judiciary faces unprecedented challenges. While judicial rulings have always been subject to public criticism, today that criticism has devolved into threats, harassment, and acts of intimidation targeting judges who are simply doing their jobs. Members of Congress have repeatedly filed articles of impeachment against judges not because they have engaged in misconduct but because of political disagreements with their decisions."

"Amid these challenges, judges have performed their duties capably and courageously. I have implored executive branch officials and my colleagues in Congress to support our judges in the face of these attacks. But I also implore you all, as judges and lawyers, to continue to uphold and advance the rule of law."

"It is a true honor to receive the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award from the FBA Chapter here in Chicago."

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