HRC Blog

Civil rights leaders head to Capitol Hill to encourage U.S. Senate to confirm Eric Holder

January 7, 2009

This morning, HRC President Joe Solmonese joined members of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) at a Capitol Hill press conference to urge the Senate to confirm the nomination of Eric Holder for Attorney General. Hearings on his nomination in the Senate Judiciary Committee are expected to begin January 15.

Holder has demonstrated his commitment to protecting citizens from victimization and he has worked vigorously throughout his career to reduce crime and increase neighborhood safety. He supports rigorous enforcement of existing laws, data collection and research about hate violence, and passing legislation that would give the federal government both the authority to prosecute these crimes and the power to assist local governments that are pursuing justice.

HRC supports a full examination of Eric Holder’s record is confident that the totality of his record will show that he is extraordinarily qualified for the position of Attorney General.

LCCR executive director Wade Henderson, Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (pictured, first photo) and Maryland Senator Ben Cardin (at the podium, second photo) gave remarks at the event to express their support for the Holder nomination.