Sen. Carper Delivers Floor Speech Supporting Nomination of Rich Andrews

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) spoke on the U.S. Senate floor in support of the confirmation of Richard G. Andrews to be a judge for the U.S. District Court in Delaware.

Sen. Carper’s speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:

“Last year, I was pleased to provide the President with the names of three superbly qualified Delawareans for him to consider for the open seat on the United States District Court in Delaware. Any one of them would have made an excellent addition to the Court, and all of them uphold the high regard in which this court is held.

“The President made a strong choice in nominating Richard G. Andrews for this judicial appointment this past May. The Senate Judiciary Committee used sound judgment in approving his nomination unanimously in September.

“When I travel across Delaware, I often hear from people who say that the Senate is overwhelmed by partisan tensions. I am sure that my colleagues—both Republicans and Democrats here today—have heard similar criticisms. Confirming Rich Andrews will help to win back confidence that we can work together to do the right thing.

“Throughout his career, Rich Andrews has been supported by members of both parties. He was appointed to United States Attorney under Attorney General Janet Reno and Attorney General John Ashcroft. Most recently, the Senate Judiciary Committee supported his nomination without one single dissent.

“Our country is fortunate that someone with his outstanding credentials has stepped forward to do this critical work. Mr. Andrews’ education, background, and legal experience make him superbly qualified for this position.

“As a student at Haverford College, Rich Andrews graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science, after which he earned his law degree at the University of California at Berkley – where he served as Note & Comment Editor for the California Law Review. “After law school, Rich Andrews launched his career as a Clerk for the Honorable Collins J. Seitz, chief judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

“Following his clerkship, for 23 years Rich served as a prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office in Wilmington – serving in a number of high-profile positions and eventually rising to the position of Assistant U.S. Attorney. When duty called, he stepped-up to serve as acting U.S. Attorney on three separate occasions. During his time with the United States Attorney’s office, Rich prepared and prosecuted countless federal cases, and in so doing, gained wide-ranging trial experience that he will draw upon heavily while serving as District Court Judge.

“Currently, Rich serves as the State Prosecutor for the Delaware Department of Justice, where he manages the Criminal Division, oversees more than 70 deputy attorneys general, and makes critical decisions about how to proceed in high-level criminal cases.

“Finally, in addition to his professional experience, Rich is a family man and a person of great character. His wife, Cathy Lanctot is the associate dean and a professor of law at Villanova University. Their son Peter is a sophomore at Columbia University, and their daughter Amy is a senior – and Student Council president – at Mount Pleasant High School.

“In his ‘free time,’ Rich has coached for the Concord Soccer Association of Delaware for more than a decade – and I understand that Rich also has spent the last 4 years grading answers for the Delaware Bar Exam.

“In every facet of his life, Richard Andrews has performed with distinction. Let me conclude by saying that I am proud to support someone who has provided, and who will continue to provide, exemplary service for the people of our state and nation.

“His sound legal judgment, his tireless work ethic, and his experience as a federal prosecutor have prepared Richard Andrews well to fill this seat on the U.S. District Court in Delaware. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting his confirmation.”

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