mr. helmick acted in good faith. those criticisms are -- don't really stand the test of time in that way. i'll just close with this, mr. president. again, thanking senator leahy and the judiciary committee for moving as quickly as they could move in a difficult time with, sometime, senate dysfunction and the minority blocking or slow-walking so many of these nominees. jeffrey helmick has been supported by a bipartisan, rigorous committee of 17, coming from southern ohio, helping to choose nominees for the northern district of ohio. i spoke personally with all but one or two of those 17 republicans and democrats, around whom consensus formed in support of jeffrey helmick. they think he is an outstanding lawyer, jurist, potential federal judges. other federal judges of the western region of the northern districdistrict of ohio, includa judge appointed by george w. bush, enususe in enthusiasticaly support him. senator gassily said he was controversial. he is only controversial in the senate judiciary committee and among

mr. helmick's view on national security. he in looking at the arguments that he has made in court representing terrorists, i am concerned that he may believe terrorism cases are less serious than other criminal cases. and that in turn causes some concern about how he might handle terrorism cases that may come before him, if confirmed. for example, he represented the terrorist mazlum. this terrorist was convicted by a jury, a conspiracy to kill u.s. troops overseas and of providing material support for terrorists. those are very serious crimes. according to the sentencing guidelines ms. loom deserved life in prison. mr. helmick argued -- quote -- "that perhaps the life sentence that was called for in the advisory sentencing dpliens was too -- guidelines was too severe or too harsh." in the end this terrorist did not receive a life sentence, only an eight-year sentence hardly a punishment or a deterrent. for these reasons and others i will vote no on this nomination and urge my colleagues to do likewise. i yield the floor. and