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Office of Communications Gwen Campbell Media, Community & Education Relations Tel. 318.673.5062 / Fax: 318.673.5087 gwen.campbell@shreveportla.gov | ||
WASHINGTON – United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced her recommendations to President Obama for three key federal positions in Louisiana’s Western District. Sen. Landrieu recommended John Belton and Stephanie Finley as U.S. Attorney, Beth Foote to be U.S. District Court Judge and Henry L. Whitehorn Sr. to be U.S. Marshal. | “John Belton, Stephanie Finley, Beth Foote and Henry Whitehorn have exemplary records of service and the necessary experience to represent the people of the Western District with distinction,” Sen. Landrieu said. “I am confident that President Obama and Attorney General Holder will find each to be fair-minded, intelligent and ready to address the challenges that these positions bring. These candidates are well-qualified and prepared to serve in these important posts.” | “Louisiana is a state rich in its diversity of people, culture, and resources,” said Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy. “That diversity, or human capacity, brings opportunities to enhance our state’s ability to tackle its problems and bring all citizens to the table of economic prosperity, and, as we do that, the sea rises for all. The truth is, we can always pick the best and brightest as the singular test in this state, and, if we are open and looking, achieve diversity in the selection of those to serve our people. We have an obligation to tap people who reflect our state, and that is why I am proud to support and praise Senator Mary Landrieu’s slate of recommendations to President Obama. They are all extremely qualified and are model public servants.” | JOHN BELTON – U.S. ATTORNEY | John Belton is a career prosecutor who has served as a courtroom advocate for his community for 16 years. Since 1992, Belton has worked as Assistant District Attorney based in Ruston. In this position, he has a 95 percent conviction rate in prosecuting felony, misdemeanor, juvenile and child support cases. He is also a practicing attorney at Belton & Belton and a legal instructor. Belton’s experience includes litigation in both criminal and civil courts. As a civil attorney, Belton was instrumental in negotiating the largest settlement against the Kansas City Southern Railroad Company. | A graduate of McNeese State University and Southern University’s law school, Belton has also served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for Southern. In that position, he managed the largest and only Historically Black University System in the nation. He also works as an Adjunct Professor at Grambling State University. | “John Belton is a pillar of Louisiana’s law enforcement community. He works each day to fight crime and uphold our nation’s laws,” Sen. Landrieu said. “His experience in and out of the courtroom has been outstanding and has earned him honors from numerous organizations in the Western District. Mr. Belton is not only intelligent and fluent in the law – he has a passion for serving his community and state. In short, Mr. Belton’s qualifications are exemplary.” | “I am honored and grateful to Senator Landrieu for submitting my name to President Obama as a candidate for United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana,” Belton said. “I deeply appreciate her vote of confidence. Most importantly, I thank God for this great opportunity. It would be an honor to serve the citizens of the Western District, the State of Louisiana, and the nation to administer and enforce the nation's laws to ensure fair and impartial justice for all Americans. My life work has been directed toward being a career prosecutor. I love my job and could not be happier with the people with whom I serve. If appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to working with federal and local law enforcement agencies throughout the district to coordinate efforts to fight crime and keep our community safe.” | STEPHANIE FINLEY– U.S. ATTORNEY | For the last 17 years, Stephanie Finley has practiced law in the federal arena as a Judge Advocate and an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Finley has served as an attorney in the Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles Division of the Western District for 13 years. She currently is the acting Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lafayette. | A Lt. Colonel stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base, Finley previously served her nation on active duty in the U.S. Air Force. While in the military, Finley accrued judicial experience as a Summary Courts-martial hearing officer, presiding over trials for violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, probable cause hearings and administrative discharge boards. In these capacities, Finley has been responsible for the charging of juries/boards, hearing arguments, ruling on evidence and rendering sentences. Finley earned her Bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University and her law degree from Southern University. | “Stephanie Finley’s experience as both an Assistant U.S. Attorney and a JAG officer have provided her with invaluable federal experience, including knowledge of all aspects of federal criminal and civil law,” Sen. Landrieu said. “During the interview process, I was struck by Finley’s love and respect for the law, as well as her commitment to her community and country. Her passion and fair-mindedness will serve her well should President Obama nominate her for this U.S. Attorney position.” | “I am honored that Senator Landrieu has chosen to recommend me to the President for consideration to become the next U.S. Attorney for the Western District,” said Finely. “If nominated and confirmed, I look forward to serving the people of this district, along side the outstanding men and women in both federal and local law enforcement.” | BETH FOOTE – U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE | Beth Foote is currently a partner at Smith Foote Law Firm in Alexandria, where she has practiced law since 1979. Foote also served as law clerk for Judge William Culpepper, Chief Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. | A member of numerous professional boards, Foote is currently the Immediate Past President of the Louisiana State Bar Association. Foote was President of the Bar Association from June 2008 to June 2009. She was also previously a member of the Association’s Board of Governors and received the President’s Award for outstanding service in 1994. Earlier this year, Foote was named one of the top attorneys in Louisiana by Louisiana Super Lawyers Magazine. She earned her undergraduate and law degrees from Louisiana State University. | “Beth Foote’s service as President of the Louisiana State Bar Association has taken her to communities in every corner our state,” Sen. Landrieu said. “This leadership role gave me confidence in her ability to fairly represent the Western District on the federal bench. Ms. Foote is an exceptional attorney whose vigor, love for the law and fair-mindedness will allow her to carry out the law in all matters before the Court.” | “I am honored to be recommended by Senator Mary Landrieu to serve as a federal judge in the Western District,” Foote said. “I look forward to becoming part of the community to which the Fifth Circuit assigns this seat. As Louisiana State Bar President, I had the opportunity to work with the legal communities across the Western District, including Shreveport. If nominated and confirmed, I will do my best to insure justice for all people in the Western District and pledge to be impartial and independent.” | “Beth Foote is a lawyer that I hold in high esteem,” said Shannan Hicks, a member of the Executive Committee of the Shreveport Bar Association. “I also hold her in the highest regard as a person. I am delighted to hear that she has been recommended by Sen. Landrieu for this federal position. Beth is going to be an asset to the judiciary and the citizens of the Western District.” | HENRY WHITEHORN – U.S. MARSHAL | Henry Whitehorn is currently the Chief of Police for the Shreveport Police Department. Chief Whitehorn has served in that position since 2007, after previously working as the Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Services and the Louisiana State Police Superintendent. A member of the State Police force from 1978 to 2007, Whitehorn served as a Trooper, Narcotics Trooper, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel and finally Superintendent. These positions allowed Chief Whitehorn to work in communities throughout the Western District, including Bossier City and Alexandria. | In the mid-70s, Chief Whitehorn was an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force. Whitehorn later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Louisiana State University – Shreveport and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Grambling State. | “Chief Whitehorn’s appointment by Gov. Blanco to be Louisiana State Police Superintendent is a testament to his leadership skills and dedication to serving the people of our state,” Sen. Landrieu. “His 29 years of experience with the State Police is truly unparalleled. Chief Whitehorn’s deep knowledge of criminal justice issues makes him well-qualified to serve our state and nation as U.S. Marshal for the Western District.” | “I am honored by Senator Landrieu recommending me for U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Louisiana,” Chief Whitehorn said. “This has been a dream of mine for a long time and I consider it a privilege to serve in such a capacity.” | Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover said, “I'm obviously of mixed emotions. Without question, Chief Whitehorn will be as outstanding as U.S. Marshall, as he was as Colonel of the Louisiana State Police, as he was as an officer with the St. Louis Police Department and as he has been as Chief of the Shreveport Police Department. His leadership, dedication and innovation, combined with the relentless efforts of the men and women of the Shreveport Police Department and the ongoing support of civic, clergical and neighborhood leaders has resulted in Shreveport's crime rate dipping to its lowest rate in over 31 years. According to FBI statistics, in the last two years, Shreveport has achieved one of the lowest violent crime and homicide rates for mid to large sized cities in the southern United States. While at the same time shooting up on Forbes, Business Week's and New Geography's lists of the best places in America to do business or start a career. Chief Whitehorn has been an integral part of the success that we are achieving in Shreveport, it is for that reason that I will be saddened when he does leave.” | For additional comments, members of the press can reach each of the four Western District candidates, as well as other Louisianians who support these candidates, at the following phone numbers: | John Belton 318-680-6904 | Stephanie Finley 337-739-2850 | Beth Foote 318-452-2565 | Henry Whitehorn 318-673-6932 | Mayor Mayo 318-329-2310 | Randy Ewing 318-548-7085 | Shannon Hicks 318-470-2301 | Mayor Glover 318-673-5009 |
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