The Honorable Hilary Clinton

U.S. Senator [D-NY]

November 1, 2005

STATEMENT OF HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON ON THE NOMINATIONS OF ERIC VITALIANO AND JOSEPH BIANCO
TO THE FEDERAL BENCH OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

November 1, 2005

I am honored today to introduce two fine New Yorkers, Eric Vitaliano and Joseph Bianco, whom the President has nominated to the federal bench in the Eastern District of New York.

Both men have had remarkable careers as lawyers and as public servants. Their careers have been marked by achievement and distinction. If confirmed to the bench of the Eastern District of New York, I have no doubt that they will continue to exemplify those traits that have been the hallmark of their respective careers - a respect for the rule of law and a devotion to pursuing justice and fairness over ideology.

All New Yorkers should be proud of Judge Vitaliano. He was born on Staten Island and attended college at Fordham University. He graduated from New York University School of Law, where he served on the Executive Board of the New York University Law Review. After law school, Judge Vitaliano clerked for United States District Judge Mark A. Constantino of the Eastern District of New York, and worked for seven years for the prestigious Manhattan law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. From 1983 until 2002, Judge Vitaliano served the people of Staten Island as a well-respected member of the New York State Assembly. During his career in the State Assembly, he had a long and notable record of accomplishments, including leading the successful fight to close the Fresh Kills Landfill and advocating for tough and thoughtful criminal reform. Most recently, Judge Vitaliano has served the people of New York as a judge on the New York State Supreme Court.

New Yorkers should be equally proud of Joseph Bianco. Mr. Bianco is a devoted public servant who has spent the majority of his professional career as a prosecutor. Raised in Brooklyn, Mr. Bianco is a graduate of Georgetown University and Columbia University Law School. After law school, Mr. Bianco clerked for United States District Judge Peter K. Leisure of the Southern District of New York and worked for a short time at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett before joining the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan for nine years. During that time he distinguished himself as a tough but fair prosecutor. He was so well regarded, that he was promoted to the position of Chief of the Organized Crime Unit, where he oversaw the prosecution of some of the most complicated criminal cases in the nation. After another short stint in private practice, the Attorney General of the United States called on Mr. Bianco to join the Department of Justice as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General, where he has once again served his nation admirably.

New Yorkers, and indeed all Americans, are fortunate that we have lawyers such as these who are so keenly devoted to public service and who possess the qualities we need in judges - a steadfast dedication to the rule of law and a commitment to the application of justice. Both of these men have demonstrated these qualities throughout their respective careers, and I commend Senator Schumer for all of his efforts in making sure that our federal judiciary is honored with men and women of such distinction.