Hawaii's nominee to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Richard Clifton, appeared before a congressional committee today in Washington. Akaka praises isle
nominee for 9th circuitBy Richard Borreca
rborreca@starbulletin.comClifton, the former attorney for the state Republican Party, was introduced to the Senate Judiciary Committee by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, who commended Clifton's appointment.
"I believe he will be an asset to the Court of Appeals and I offer my full support for his nomination," Akaka, a Democrat, said.
Akaka noted that Hawaii hasn't had a judge of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for several years.
"We have waited many years for this opportunity, and I am pleased that Hawaii will have a justice on he Ninth Circuit.
"That is good news, I am sure he will be confirmed with flying colors," said Rep. Barbara Marumoto, (R, Kahala), who along with former Republican party chairwoman Linda Lingle, nominated Clifton last year.
"He is highly regarded by the legal community," Marumoto said. " I would say he is a lawyer's lawyer. I am really happy that our two senators were supportive."
Clifton is a graduate of Princeton University with a law degree from Yale Law School in 1975. He is a partner with the law firm of Cades Schutte Fleming and Wright and is a business attorney. He has worked on the political campaigns of Lingle and former U.S. Rep. Pat Saiki.
According to a spokesman for Akaka, today's hearing in Washington is a strong signal that the full committee is likely to act on Clifton's nomination and that it will move forward for Senate confirmation sometime this summer.