The Honorable Orrin Hatch.

United States Senator
Utah
January 28, 2004

Statement of Chairman Orrin G. Hatch
Before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Hearing on the Nomination of

FRANKLIN S. VAN ANTWERPEN TO BE
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT

This morning we welcome to the Committee Franklin Van Antwerpen, whom President Bush has nominated for a seat on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

This is Judge Van Antwerpen's second bite at the Third Circuit apple. He was initially nominated to this court in September 1991 by the first President Bush. I am pleased that we have the opportunity to once again consider his nomination.

Judge Van Antwerpen has exceptional qualifications for the federal appellate bench. After graduation from Temple University School of Law in 1967, he worked as an attorney at the Hazeltine Corporation and served as Chief Counsel of the Northampton Legal Aid Society. He then spent nine years in private practice, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in general litigation matters, with a particular specialization in municipal law.

In 1979, Judge Van Antwerpen commenced a twenty-five year career in public service when he joined the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County. He served in this position until 1987, when President Reagan appointed him United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the position he holds today.

Judge Van Antwerpen's impressive credentials are reflected in his unanimous American Bar Association rating of Well Qualified. We are honored to have him before us today, and look forward to hearing from him.

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