For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, October 14, 2003

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senator Murray announced that President Bush has officially sent the nomination of Ricardo Martinez to the U.S. Senate for consideration as the new U.S. District Court Judge for the Western Washington District. Murray met with Magistrate Judge Martinez in early August and has worked closely with the Administration and Senator Cantwell to select a nominee for this important post.

Murray’s statement follows:

“I am pleased that President Bush is moving forward with the nomination of Ricardo Martinez by sending his name to the Senate for consideration as the new U.S. District Court Judge for Western Washington. I am proud to have worked with the Administration and Senator Cantwell to choose a nominee from a list of very qualified candidates from our state.

Judge Martinez has been a distinguished Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. He has also served our state as Superior Court Judge and a King County prosecutor. Judge Martinez has the impressive credential of being named the first Drug Court judge in Washington state and worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this program which uses treatment services as an alternative to incarceration.

Judge Martinez clearly meets the standards of fairness and adherence to the law that we look for in our federal judges. Outside of his numerous professional credentials, I have met with him, and I have been impressed by his professionalism and decency.

It is my pleasure to support the nomination of Judge Martinez to the federal bench, where he will continue to serve the people of Washington state well.”