WASHINGTON–Today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) spoke on the floor of the Senate in support of confirmation on Stephanie Rose to serve as a the first female district court judge in Iowa’s Southern District. Video of Harkin’s speech can be found here.
Below is the full text of Harkin’s statement, as prepared for delivery:
“Mr. President, as many of my colleagues know, I have been a strong and enthusiastic advocate of Stephanie Rose to serve as a district court judge in Iowa’s Southern District. I was honored to recommend to the President that he nominate this outstanding attorney, and, today, I encourage my colleagues to vote for her confirmation.
“Let me begin by thanking Senator Leahy and his staff for their hard work in advancing Ms. Rose’s nomination. I also want to thank my senior colleague from Iowa, Senator Grassley, for his invaluable support and assistance. For many years, Senator Grassley and I have cooperated in a spirit of goodwill on judicial nominations in our state, and I am proud we are continuing Iowa’s fine tradition regarding judicial selection.
“Mr. President, Stephanie Rose possesses in abundance the personal and professional qualities we expect from those we consider to take on the profound responsibilities of a federal judge. She is a superb attorney. And among jurists, prosecutors and the defense bar she has a reputation as someone who is unfailingly fair and ethical, and who possesses exceptional legal ability, intellect, integrity, and judgment. As Charles Larson, former United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa under President George W. Bush, wrote to the Judiciary Committee, Ms. Rose ‘has all the requisite abilities and traits to serve all litigants of the Southern District of Iowa in the manner expected of a federal judge. Miss Rose would be a distinguished member of the judiciary.’
“Ms. Rose was born in Topeka, Kansas, and moved to Mason City, Iowa, when she was four. Both of her parents were public school teachers. She and her husband Rob have two children: Kyle and Missy. Ms. Rose has two sisters, one of whom was adopted after coming to the family as a foster child, one of five foster children her parents welcomed into their home.
“After graduating Mason City High School, Ms. Rose earned her bachelor’s degree, with honors, from the University of Iowa in just three years. Then, she earned her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law in just two years, graduating in the top five percent of her class. She could easily have commanded a big salary with a top law firm. Instead, she opted for public service and long hours as a federal prosecutor, working to uphold the rule of law, making our neighborhoods safer, and advancing the cause of justice.
“In 2009, the Senate unanimously confirmed Ms. Rose to become U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Iowa, having previously served 12 years as an assistant U.S. Attorney. Even before becoming U.S. Attorney, she was lead counsel in 260 felony cases and made 34 oral arguments before the 8th Circuit. She received a national award from the Department of Justice for her work in prosecuting the largest unlawful Internet pharmacy case in the U.S.
“As United States Attorney, Ms. Rose has helped make Iowa and our nation safer, reduced violent crime and gang violence, and promoted civil rights. In addition, she has the distinction of serving on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee.
“It is no surprise that the American Bar Association gave Ms. Rose a unanimous well qualified rating.
“Finally, Mr. President, I want to comment on the historic nature of her confirmation. Ms. Rose was the first woman to be confirmed as U.S. Attorney in Iowa’s Northern District. And, when confirmed today, she will be the first woman confirmed as a U.S. District Court judge in Iowa’s Southern District.
“Ms. Rose is a person of truly outstanding intellect, integrity, and character. She is exceptionally well qualified to serve as United States District Judge for the Southern District of Iowa. Again, I urge all of my colleagues to support her confirmation.”
