mr. vilardo has been confirmed. he can now begin to hear cases and tackle the backlog that's been steadily building in the western district. and there are few more qualified to help take on this task than larry vilardo. that's because, madam president, mr. vilardo is a classic buff low -- buffalo man. he went to kenishis college, took a detour to attend harvard law school and clerk on the fifth circuit court in texas. he then practiced at a firm he cofounded. buffalo is where he was born, raised and educated, where he chose to raise his family. buffalo is in his bones. when he was nominated i heard the voices chanting vilardo, vilardo, vilardo. not just the legal community but about the whole community. like so many other people from the region, the city made him tough, levelheaded, fair and decent and is the first in his family to graduate from college, he adds an important element to the socioeconomic diversity of the court. the people of the western district are incredibly lucky to have larry vilardo on the bench