Senator Cotton: Chairman Grassley, Senator Durbin, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, good morning. I’m pleased join Senator Boozman and to be with you today to introduce my fellow Arkansan and the nominee to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, the Honorable John Thomas Shepherd.
I want to first thank Judge Shepherd for answering the call to public service in this new role. I’d also like to recognize the Shepherd family, a pillar of the El Dorado Union County and south Arkansas communities, joining us today are his wife, Molly, his sons, Tommy and Roe, his father, eight-circuit judge Bobby Shepherd, his mother, Bobbie, his brother, Matthew Shepherd, a state representative and former speaker of the Arkansas State House, his sister, Sarah, her children, and his father-in-law, Dr. James Magee. Last but certainly not least, I’d also like to mention his youngest son, Will Henry, a busy 2-year-old who I imagine is at home with a more enjoyable source of entertainment. Thank you all for your support for Judge Shepherd, especially through this nomination process.
Judge Shepherd has dedicated his career to upholding the rule of law in Arkansas. As an accomplished prosecutor and now a judge, he has worked tirelessly to keep Arkansans and our communities safe from violent criminals and drugs.
A native of El Dorado, Judge Shepherd graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law. After private practice focusing on areas such as federal and state civil litigation, commercial transactions, and business formations, Governor Asa Hutchinson appointed Judge Shepherd as the Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District in El Dorado. As prosecuting attorney, Judge Shepherd handled a wide range of felony cases, including homicides, major drug cases, and white-collar criminal offenses.
With years of legal experience under his belt, Judge Shepherd won election to be the Circuit Judge for the 13th Judicial District. In this new role, Judge Shepherd continues to handle a wide range of felony cases, but this time, while presiding from the bench.
In addition to his professional accolades, Judge Shepherd is active in his community. Among his many avenues of service, Judge Shepherd is a volunteer youth coach for the Boys & Girls Club of El Dorado, a radio color analyst for the El Dorado High School football team, and an active member of his church.
Judge Shepherd has done an exceptional job serving the state of Arkansas as a legal professional, judge, and community leader. I’m honored to join Senator Boozman in supporting his nomination. I encourage my colleagues on the Committee and in the Senate to do the same.