By Staff
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) applauded Monday evening's U.S. Senate confirmation of Judge Paul Maloney to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
The Senate unanimously confirmed Judge Maloney by voice vote. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Enslen became a senior judge in late 2005, opening a seat in Kalamazoo and leading to Maloney's nomination by President George W. Bush on June 28, 2006. Upton worked with the Bush Administration to ensure that the Kalamazoo federal courthouse would remain open. The Senate also confirmed Robert Jonker and Janet Neff to fill the additional vacancies in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan and they are expected to preside in Grand Rapids.
"I strongly supported the President's nomination of Judge Paul Maloney to the U.S. District Court, and I am delighted with his confirmation by the United States Senate," said Upton. "Once he is sworn-in to the federal bench, I know that he will be an exceptional judge for all of Western Michigan. It was critically important to me that the courthouse remains open in Kalamazoo – and folks can rest assured that Kalamazoo will continue to be a center of jurisprudence for many years to come. I appreciate the efforts of Senators Levin and Stabenow as we worked to fill the three judicial vacancies in Western Michigan."
Upon learning of the opening in mid 2005, Upton convened a respected legal panel which attracted a number of outstanding and qualified individuals for Upton to make recommendations to the President to fill the Western District seat in Kalamazoo. The recommendations followed interviews with each individual, review of judicial philosophy, as well as recommendations from colleagues, friends and associates.
Judge Paul Maloney has served as a Circuit Court Judge for Berrien County since 1996. In 2000, he was elevated to Chief Judge of the 11 judge Berrien County Trial Court. He was first appointed by Governor John Engler to the Berrien County District Court in February of 1995.