U.S. Circuit Judge Gregory Phillips of U.S. Court of Appeals for 10th Circuit

11/09/2017

U.S. Circuit Judge Gregory A. Phillips

c/o U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit

Byron White U.S. Courthouse

1823 Stout Street

Denver, CO  80257

Dear U.S. Circuit Judge Phillips,

My name is Matt Winick from Ann Arbor, Michigan with a strong interest in learning history, social justice, and public policy. In these subjects, I like to learn the need for Civil Rights to be stronger to reduce discrimination, protect the environment from pollution, have criminal justice reform to help protect people’s rights while reduce crime, and many others. U.S. Circuit Judge Phillips, the main reason I’m writing you a letter is to explain how I find your work in the Wyoming state legislative, as Wyoming attorney general, and your current position in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit to be very inspiring to me.

When you served as Wyoming State Senator from 1993-1999, I really liked on how you were a strong supporter of Civil Rights by advocating for people with disabilities’ rights expanding laws to combat against hate-crime, and supporting the need to expand Civil Rights to help protect minorities including people who are different from bing discriminated in public places. Also when you served in the Wyoming State Senate, I liked on how you worked to push for funds to help protect public lands including water resources to make them safe for people to use.  In your role as Wyoming Attorney General from 2011-2013, I really appreciated on how you continued to be a strong supporter of Civil Rights, prosecuted industries that polluted water resources or public lands, went after public officials that were corrupt or accepted illegal bribes, and many others.  In January 2013, I liked on how you accepted President Obama to nominate you for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit to help him improve the judicial system.  In your current role as judge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit, I especially like on  how you are still continue to support Civil Rights and continue to use reasonable judgment on protect civil liberties like the 4^th Amendment  to protect people from unreasonable search including the 6^th Amendment  to have a right to a fair trial along with the right to hear the evidence against them. Another thing that I like about your work in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit is how you advocate for criminal justice reform like the need for drug treatment programs to help drug-users get the care they need, expand programs to help victims of domestic violence or victims of crime get law enforcement resources they need to deal with trauma,  and the need for educational awareness programs to help educate people about the need to reduce gun violence including drug abuse.

U.S. Circuit Judge Phillips, I have autism with a learning disability. Having a disability is hard for me because I have trouble comprehending on learning different advance subjects, sometimes I struggle to communicate my thoughts, and get teased. Your commitment to be a strong supporter of Civil Rights including people with disabilities’ rights really inspires me to work hard on my disability.  Your role in the Wyoming State Senate, as Wyoming Attorney General, and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit gives me motivation to continue to learn history, social justice, and public policy.  My future goal is to someday work in these areas to help emphasize the need to make Civil Rights stronger, protect the environment, have criminal justice reform, and many others.

I strongly believe that you made a great difference in public service. Also I’m very proud on how you are using your experience from public service and your advocacy for criminal justice reform including Civil Rights to make a difference in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit. You have inspired me to work hard on my disability and to continue to learn history along with many other subjects.  I was wondering if you could please share with my your favorite moments when you served in Wyoming and what it is like serving in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10^th Circuit.  Thanks for taking the time to read my letter, working hard to make a great difference, and inspiring me. I wish you the best to continue to make a difference in the judicial system.

Sincerely,

Matt Winick