[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S3212]



NOMINATION OF ELISEBETH COLLINS COOK TO BE A MEMBER OF THE PRIVACY AND 
                    CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD

[...]

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Senate will 
proceed to the consideration of the following nominations, which the 
clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read the nominations of Elisebeth Collins Cook, 
of Virginia, to be a Member of the Privacy and Civil Liberties 
Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 2020; James Walter 
Frazer Green, of Louisiana, to be United States Attorney for the Middle 
District of Louisiana for the term of four years; Deirdre M. Daly, of 
Connecticut, to be United States Attorney for the District of 
Connecticut for the term of four years; and Damon Paul Martinez, of New 
Mexico, to be United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico for 
the term of four years.


                        Vote On Cook Nomination

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, there is 2 minutes 
of debate prior to a vote on the Cook nomination.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Madam President, I wish to express my support for the 
confirmation of my former staffer, Elisebeth Collins Cook, to serve on 
the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Ms. Cook loves her 
country. She is a true patriot, and a person of character, courage, and 
integrity.
  Ms. Cook has had a distinguished legal career. She received her 
undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago in 1997 and her law 
degree from Harvard Law School in 2000. She graduated from both 
prestigious schools with honors. Following law school, Ms. Cook served 
as law clerk to Judge Lee Rosenthal of the Southern District of Texas, 
and Judge Laurence Silberman of the D.C. Circuit.
  In 2002, she joined the prominent law firm Cooper & Kirk here in 
Washington, DC. After working for the firm for 3 years, Ms. Cook was 
appointed Special Counsel to the Office of Legal Policy at the 
Department of Justice. In 2008, she was confirmed by the Senate without 
opposition to be assistant attorney general for OLP.
  In 2009, Ms. Cook joined my staff as chief counsel for the Supreme 
Court nomination of now-Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Her work was 
superb. She helped me to examine the important issues raised by that 
nomination on a high level without resorting to personal attacks on the 
nominee.
  In 2010, she returned to private practice as a partner with Freeborn 
& Peters in Chicago, before returning to Washington, where she is 
currently counsel at the well-regarded law firm Wilmer Hale.
  Ms. Cook has had a wide-ranging law practice, including general civil 
litigation, policy initiatives, and Federal criminal investigations. 
The quality of her work has not gone unnoticed. Among her more recent 
accolades are the Intelligence Community Legal Award, multiple attorney 
general awards, and recognition as one of Legal Times' ``40 Under 40.'' 
In 2008, she received the Edmund J. Randolph Award for Service to the 
Department of Justice, the Department's highest award for public 
service and leadership.
  Ms. Cook combines a powerful legal mind, broad experience, good 
judgment, and a strong interest in serving her country. She has 
excellent people skills and works well with others, even when she 
disagrees with them. Her tenure on the board thus far proves as much.
  I have nothing but praise for Ms. Cook's abilities, and am confident 
she will continue to acquit herself as a member of the Privacy and 
Civil Liberties Oversight Board. I am pleased to recommend Ms. Cook to 
my colleagues and I hope they will support her confirmation to this 
important position.
  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, we yield back all time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, all time is yielded back.
  The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the nomination 
of Elisebeth Collins Cook, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Privacy 
and Civil Liberties Oversight Board for a term expiring January 29, 
2020?
  The nomination was confirmed.

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