highlight “starred” comments by admin

I’m looking for a wordpress plugin, hook function or directions for these specific needs (I’m okay writing my own plugin):

• when moderating comments, a wordpress admin should be able to change its status (approved/pending/spam, like usual) and “star this comment” or set its status to a new status “approved and starred”
• These “starred” comments would show up highlighted, sorted first or diplayed in a tab-like interface on the post page

Ideas?