Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) was honored today to introduce Judge Robert L. Wilkins to his former colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Judge Wilkins has been nominated by President Obama to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

“I am pleased to introduce Judge Robert L. Wilkins to the committee today, and I congratulate President Obama on this excellent nomination.  Judge Wilkins has a distinguished lifelong record of public service.  Judge Wilkins has stood up against injustice throughout his career.  As a victim of racial profiling, he personally filed a successful landmark civil rights lawsuit to end the use of this practice by the Maryland State Police.  His lawsuit inspired an executive order – and both state and federal legislation – that would prohibit the use of racial profiling by law enforcement,” said Senator Cardin, sponsor of S. 1038, the End Racial Profiling Act.

“Judge Wilkins has been nominated for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which is often referred to as the nation’s second highest court due to the importance of its caseload.  The Court has an over 25% vacancy rate, so the Senate should act quickly to fill these critical seats.  The Senate unanimously confirmed Judge Wilkins in 2010 for his current position.  I ask the committee to favorably recommend Judge Wilkins to the full Senate, and I hope he will be confirmed expeditiously.”

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