in a few moments we'll have the privilege of hearing from judge richard gergel, who presided in the same courthouse in south carolina where judge jay white's wearing served. and for those you who don't know much about, judge waring, you will learn a great deal about him tonight. judge richard gergel is a native of columbia south carolina, and the grandson of russian and polish jewish. he is a graduate of duke university and the duke university school of law. he practiced law in columbia, south carolina, for 30 years, specializing in complex civil litigation before president obama nominated as u.s. district judge. and he was confirmed by the senate by a unanimous consent in august of 2010, shortly after his confirmation, judge gergel discovered that his maternal grandparents had been sworn in as american citizens in the very courtroom to which was assigned a fact that he has shared frequently while conducting naturalization ceremonies. he has presided in federal courthouse in charleston since and has handled a of significant cases, including the 2017 trial of dylann roof who killed nine p