The Honorable Joseph Lieberman

United States Senate
Connecticut
January 22, 2008

Statement of Senator Lieberman
Nomination of Kevin O'Conner of Connecticut to be
Associate Attorney General of the United States
January 22, 2008

Chairman Patrick Leahy, Ranking Member Specter, the President made a terrific choice when he nominated Kevin O'Conner to be the next Associate Attorney General of the United States.

Since 2002, Kevin has served as the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut. Under his leadership, the United States Attorney's office in Connecticut successfully prosecuted a number of high level political corruption cases, restoring public confidence in government, and sought to dismantle violent gangs and drug enterprises while keeping communities safe from child predators. Kevin also pursued prosecutions under the Clean Water Act, obtaining two of the largest criminal penalties in New England history.

Kevin's commitment to the mission of the Department of Justice extended beyond the State. He distinguished himself as a trusted prosecutor and respected colleague among the other United States Attorneys and served as the Chairman of the Violent Crimes Subcommittee of the Attorney General's Advisory Committee and as the Chief of Staff for the Attorney General. In the latter post, Kevin earned a stellar reputation as a leader who provided sober, objective guidance to the Attorney General and represented the collective interests of all of the ninety-three United States Attorneys around the country.

With his experience and temperament, Kevin will be a great asset to Attorney General Michael Mukasey. As one of my hometown newspapers - the Hartford Courant - opined:

In Kevin J. O'Connor the White House has someone whose record and integrity promise to help restore confidence and stability to the agency. The controversies of the past year have left the Justice Department demoralized, compromised and with vacancies in several key leadership positions. The agency's new leadership must be dedicated to the fair and impartial administration of justice. We're proud of Mr. O'Connor's nomination. We are confident his appointment to associate U.S. attorney general overseeing the enforcement of civil rights, antitrust and environmental laws would help get the agency back on an even keel and restore a measure of public trust.

I agree with the Hartford Courant and I urge my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee to support his nomination. I look forward to being able to do the same when the nomination is on the Senate floor.