OTC Medicine Tax Fairness Act of 2005

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1463, which my colleague and good friend, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), introduced to recognize the important contributions Justin W. Williams made to justice and freedom in our society.

The gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Davis) is in a markup in the full committee and asked if I would come over to read this statement to represent him.

Justice Williams was born in New York City in 1942, earned a Bachelor's Degree, as was said, from Columbia University in 1963 and a law degree from UVA in 1967.

After law school, he worked for the Department of Justice Criminal Division from 1967 through 1968, then served as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington County from 1968 to 1970.

His career as a Federal prosecutor began on May 11, 1970. During the ensuing 33 years he was either directly involved or supervised every major Federal prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia; and, as Members know, that is one the more difficult districts in the country.

Mr. Williams was appointed Acting United States Attorney on two occasions, June, 1979, to November, 1981, and January, 1986, to June, 1986.

He was also at various times First Assistant United States Attorney, Senior Litigation Counsel and, for most of his career, Chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

As Chief of the Criminal Division, Justin Williams supervised over 100

prosecutors and oversaw such high-profile trials as U.S. vs. Aldrich Ames, Aldrich Ames, a spy from the CIA who sold out his government; U.S. vs. Robert Hanssen, Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who sold out his government to the Soviet Union, both of whom were convicted for spying for the Soviet Union.

He also led the prosecution of the Virginia Jihad Network.

His many accomplishments, far too numerous to list, include the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in furthering the Interest of the United States National Security, Section 2002, as well as three Director's Awards for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney.

On August 31, 2003, Mr. Williams died tragically at the age of 61 from an apparent heart attack as he jogged along the Potomac River in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, leaving his wife, Suzanne, and children Andrew and Caitlin.

His untimely death marked the end of a career of a truly remarkable public servant who was loved and respected by all his colleagues and those who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Mr. Williams was revered as a mentor and role model, and his legacy will serve as a testimonial to courage, conviction, fairness and decency.

Madam Speaker, we owe Justin Williams and his family and all those in the legal field who have chosen a career in public service a debt of gratitude.

I urge my colleagues to forever remember Justin Williams and keep a record in our mind and in our hearts as we pass by the building. And on behalf of the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), Chairman Davis, I urge the support of this and will supply the statement for the record.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1463, which my colleague and good friend Tom Davis introduced to recognize the important contributions Justin W. Williams made to justice and freedom in our society.

Justin W. Williams was born in New York City in 1942. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Columbia University in 1963 and his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1967. After law school, he worked for the Department of Justice, Criminal Division from 1967-1968, then served as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington County from 1968-1970.

Mr. Williams' career as a Federal prosecutor began on May 11, 1970. During the ensuing 33 years he was either directly involved in or supervised every major federal prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia. Mr. Williams was appointed Acting United States Attorney on two occasions, June 1979 to November 1981 and January 1986 to June 1986. He was also at various times First Assistant United States Attorney, Senior Litigation Counsel, and for most of his illustrious career Chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. As Chief of the Criminal Division, Justin Williams supervised over 100 prosecutors, and oversaw such high profile trials as U.S. v. Aldrich Ames, U.S. v. Robert Hanssen, both of whom were convicted of spying for the Soviet Union. He also led the prosecution of the Virginia Jihad Network.

His many accomplishments and awards, far too numerous to list, included the Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Furthering the Interest of the United States National Security (2002), as well as three Directors' Awards for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney.

On August 31, 2003, Mr. Williams died tragically at the age of 61 from an apparent heart attack as he jogged along the Potomac River in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, leaving his wife Suzanne and children Andrew and Caitlin. His untimely death marked the end of a career of a truly remarkable public servant who was loved and respected by all of his colleagues and those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Mr. Williams was revered as a mentor and role model and his legacy will serve as a testimonial to courage, conviction, fairness, and decency.

Madam Speaker, we owe Justin Williams, and all those in the legal field who have chosen a career in public service a debt of gratitude. I urge all my colleagues to forever remember Justin Williams and to keep a record in our minds, and in our hearts, of the great sacrifices made by all men and women in the legal community who have served and continue to serve our great Nation.

I thank the Virginia delegation for their support of this resolution and I ask all members to support H.R. 1463.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague from California (Mr. Honda) for yielding me this time in order to give some much-deserved recognition to Justin Williams.

As our colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf) has explained, Chairman Davis has to be in a hearing, but I know the chairman is very much disappointed he is not able to speak on this bill that he introduced.

We want to name the Federal building on Jamieson Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, just by the Federal courthouse, after Justin Williams because he was such an outstanding Federal prosecutor.

He passed away August 31, 2003, while he was running along the Potomac River in Old Town. He had a heart attack. We lost a tremendous asset to the country and to the Department of Justice. Mr. Williams was also a wonderful friend to all who knew and worked with him.

Justin Williams began his career as a lawyer after attending Columbia University. He then went to law school at the University of Virginia, where he graduated in 1967.

He then moved to the Washington, DC, area and worked at the Department of Justice Criminal Division. In 1968, he served as the Commonwealth's attorney for Arlington County before going back to the Federal Government in 1970.

He then became a Federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Alexandria, was named Chief of the Criminal Division and an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

As a Federal prosecutor, as has been said, he was responsible for the prosecution of several terribly important high-profile cases, including Aldrich Ames, Robert Hanssen, and many cases involving terrorists after September 11. After the Robert Hanssen case, Mr. Williams was honored by Attorney General Ashcroft for his role in that prosecution.

He has received so many awards for his accomplishments as a Federal prosecutor that we can't list them all here. He was named Acting U.S. Attorney on two separate occasions. But he will be most remembered not just for the accolades that he received but for the kindness that he showed toward those he served throughout his tenure.

As a supervisor for more than a hundred other prosecutors, he was a mentor and a role model to the attorneys that were just beginning their careers. He had an incredible ability to remember cases, to put cases in context. He was always willing to share that extensive knowledge with his colleagues.

He had a superb reputation with the judges he worked with and was known for having a very sound legal mind. Everybody remembers him for his sense of humor, his humility and his good judgment.

We want to pass along our condolences to Mr. Williams' wife, Suzanne, his children, Andrew and Caitlin, and the other members of his extended family, his friends and his colleagues who feel his loss so deeply. His memory will not soon fade.

His service not only to our Nation but also to the people of Virginia certainly justifies naming this building by the Federal courthouse in Alexandria the Justin W. Williams United States Attorney's Building. His lasting legacy will be felt by all who work in this Federal building and especially by those who carry the responsibility of working as a Federal prosecutor in the future. May they be inspired by Mr. Williams' commitment to excellence and service to our country.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1463) to designate a portion of the Federal building located at 2100 Jamieson Avenue, in Alexandria, Virginia, as the ``Justin W. Williams United States Attorney's Building''.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 1463 introduced by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) designates a portion of the United States courthouse located at 2100 Jamieson Avenue in Alexandria, Virginia, as the Justin W. Williams United States Attorney's Building. The full courthouse is known as the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse.

This is the second time this matter has come before the House, having previously been considered during the 108th Congress when it passed by voice vote. As before, the bill has the bipartisan support of the entire Virginia delegation.

Born in New York City in 1942, Justin Williams earned his Bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 1963 and his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1967. After graduation, Justin Williams embarked upon his legal career. From 1967 until 1986, he worked for the Department of Justice Criminal Division, served as Assistant Commonwealth Attorney in Arlington County, and Assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia based in Alexandria.

In 1986, Justin Williams was appointed chief of the Criminal Division and served in that capacity until his death in 2003.

It is my honor to bring this bill to the floor, which honors a dedicated American who spent his entire career making America safer for everyone. I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf).

(Mr. WOLF asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1463, a bill to designate the A-Wing portion of the new United States courthouse located at 2100 Jamieson Ave, in Alexandria, Virginia as the ``Justin W. Williams United States Attorney's Building.''

This designation honors former Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Williams. Mr. Williams enjoyed a remarkable and distinguished career in public service. After his graduation from the University of Virginia Law School in 1967, he accepted a job as an attorney in the Criminal Division in the U.S. Department of Justice. He also served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Arlington County, Virginia, and in 1970, he accepted an appointment as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia where he served for 33 years until his death in August 2003.

At various times in his career, he held the position of Acting U.S. Attorney, First Assistant

U.S. Attorney, Senior Litigation Counsel, and Chief of the Criminal Division for the Eastern District of Virginia. As Chief of the Criminal Division, to which he was appointed in 1986, Mr. Williams was involved in virtually all major federal prosecutions in that District and was responsible for many high profile cases, including U.S. v. Aldrich Ames and U.S. v. Robert Hanssen. In each position, he consistently displayed the highest levels of professionalism, serving with distinction and honor.

During his long and distinguished career, Mr. Williams received a number of awards and honors, including the U.S. Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Further in the Interests of U.S. National Security. He was deeply admired by all his colleagues and loved by his family and friends, and he served as a role model and mentor for all worked with him in the U.S. Attorney's office.

H.R. 1463 has strong bipartisan support from many members of the Virginia delegation. I also support the bill and urge its passage.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

H.R. 1436 is a bill to designate a portion of the Alexandria courthouse located at 2100 Jamieson Avenue as the Justin W. Williams United States Attorney's Building. In the 108th Congress, an identical bill, H.R. 3428, was introduced but did not receive action from the other body.

H.R. 1463 was introduced by my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), and enjoys strong bipartisan support.

U.S. Attorney Justin Williams was an extraordinary public servant who served the citizens of Virginia for over 30 years. He received his undergraduate degree from Colombia University and his law degree from the University of Virginia. During his 33 years as a Federal prosecutor he supervised or was directly involved in every major Federal prosecution in the Eastern District of Virginia.

His career is filled with numerous awards and honors, including the Attorney General's Award for Excellence that is awarded for furthering the interests of national security, the Director's award for superior performance in years 1990, 2000, 2002, and Sustained Superior Performance for the years 1990, 1991, 1997, 1998 and 1999.

In addition to being an outstanding lawyer, Justin Williams was a thoughtful mentor, loyal friend, outstanding role model, devoted husband and loving father; and it is most fitting we honor the distinguished career of this dedicated public servant with this designation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Moran).

Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.