SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Nevada Senator Harry Reid today appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee to introduce Clark County Deputy District Attorney Gloria Navarro and to testify in support of her nomination to be the United States District Court Judge for the District of Nevada. Reid recommended Navarro for the position in December of last year. Included below are Reid’s prepared remarks.
“Madam President, I am pleased to formally introduce Gloria Navarro, President Obama’s nominee for the United States District for the Judge for Nevada.
“I am impressed by this Nevadan’s professional record and her commitment to public service in all areas of her life. My meetings with her have certainly confirmed her dedication. She is a very personable individual and a professional who is devoted to justice and the rule of law.
“We have talked about our families, our shared respect for the law and our experiences growing up in Nevada, and it is clear that Ms. Navarro is yet another example of the quintessential American story:
“She is the daughter of an immigrant family from Cuba and speaks Spanish fluently.
“She learned English and her ABCs watching Sesame Street and worked hard to take advantage of every opportunity that came her way.
“Today she is an outstanding attorney who chose to serve a community and a state she loves and knows intimately.
“And when she is confirmed, she will be the first Hispanic woman to sit on the bench in the District of Nevada.”
“It is also clear that Ms. Navarro is prepared to do this job. She has worked for nearly 20 years in both in the private and public sectors and is experienced at handling very complex litigation at both the federal and state levels.
“She is currently the Chief Deputy District Attorney in the Office of County Counsel, providing legal counsel and litigation defense to the Clark County Board of Commissioners.
“She has worked as a public defender–and in 2002, she received the Nevada State Bar Access to Justice Pro Bono Public Lawyer of the Year award.
“She has also worked in private practice–representing clients in federal and state litigation relating to criminal, civil and family law. In 2001, she was awarded the Louis Wiener Pro Bono Service Award for her representation of a victim of spousal abuse.
“She is truly committed to the Nevada community. Among other things, as President of the Latino Bar Association, she created a mentoring program pairing high school, college and law students with community lawyers.
“I am proud to have recommended this exceptional Nevadan to President Obama, and I am confident that she will be confirmed expeditiously by the Senate.”
