The Honorable Lamar Alexander

May 22, 2003

Statement of Sen. Lamar Alexander to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of Ronnie Greer, nominee for U.S. District Court Judge for the Eastern District

May 22, 2003

The point I would like to recognize today is the breadth of Ronnie Greer's knowledge and the breadth of his skills.

He has tried approximately 200 cases in state or federal courts as sole or chief counsel.

He has unusually broad experience in both civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts.

In civil law, Mr. Greer has practiced in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, environmental law and bankruptcy.

He has represented many defendants in criminal cases in both state and federal courts and has represented numerous cases for indigent clients on a pro bono basis. He also routinely accepted several criminal cases appointed by the federal courts each year.

During his service in the Tennessee General Assembly as a state senator, he was named Tennessee Conservation League's Legislator of the Year and served as chairman of the Senate Environment Conservation and Tourism Committee.

Ronnie Greer knows East Tennessee. He knows the law. I have known him since he was student body president at East Tennessee State University.

He is one of the exceptional citizens in our state. We are fortunate the President decided to nominate him to be U.S. District Court Judge for the eastern district.

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