[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 119 (Wednesday, July 12, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2336]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NOMINATION OF MYONG J. JOUN

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to speak in 
support of the confirmation of Judge Myong Joun to the U.S. Court for 
the District of Massachusetts.
  In a few minutes, the Senate will vote to invoke cloture on Judge 
Joun's nomination. And this afternoon, once we have invoked cloture, we 
will vote on his confirmation.
  When Judge Joun was a child, his family immigrated to the U.S. from 
South Korea with only a few dollars in their pockets. He was raised by 
his single mother who earned a living as a seamstress. He attended New 
York City Public Schools, served in the Massachusetts National Guard, 
and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston and Suffolk 
University Law School in Boston.
  In private practice, including at his own law firm, Judge Joun 
litigated extensively before the Massachusetts State and Federal 
courts, eventually earning an appointment as a justice of the Boston 
Municipal Court.
  Judge Joun has shown a steadfast commitment to civil rights and 
access to justice. In private practice, he often took on cases 
involving police misconduct, wage theft, and housing violations. As one 
of his many colleagues writing in on his behalf put it, Judge Joun's 
``professional life has been devoted to working with people who need 
legal assistance but are unable to navigate the system because of 
language, financial, or educational barriers.''
  Judge Joun has also consistently and generously given his time to 
service, holding leadership roles in organizations such as the Asian 
American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Bar 
Association, and the National Lawyers Guild. For many years, he has 
taught trial advocacy to law students.
  Over the course of his career, Judge Joun has exemplified the highest 
standards of the legal profession. He is a dedicated public servant who 
will bring knowledge, experience, and compassion to the Massachusetts 
Federal district court. As the first Asian-American man and first 
Korean American to serve on the district court of Massachusetts, Judge 
Joun will be a trailblazer. I have no doubt that he will continue to 
serve the people of Massachusetts with distinction, and I look forward 
to his confirmation.
  Senator Warren and I absolutely endorse his candidacy with the 
strongest possible recommendation to the full Senate, and I urge all of 
my colleagues to vote yes on cloture and on his nomination.

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