For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 9, 2001
Remarks by the President During Federal Judicial Appointees Announcement
The East Room
Listen to the President's Remarks
2:43 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very
much. Attorney General, it's good to see you, sir, and happy
birthday. Today is his birthday. Also, Judge Al
Gonzales. Judge Gonzales is a great friend of mine who,
fortunately, is my lawyer and is a part of the process, judicial
selection process. Thank you for being here, Judge.
I'm also honored to welcome members of the
United States Senate who are here to welcome the nominees to
Washington: of course, Senator Orrin Hatch, Chairman of the
Judiciary; as well as Senator Patrick Leahy, ranking member on the
Judiciary. It's good to see you men, thank you both for
coming.
John Warner, George Allen, George Voinovich
and last, but not least, Senator Strom
Thurmond. Welcome. (Applause.) Thank
you all for coming.
I'm pleased to welcome my judicial nominees to
the White House. And I'm pleased to welcome their family and
friends, as well.
This is a proud moment for all of you, and
it's a proud moment for me, as well. A President has fewer
greater responsibilities than that of nominating men and women to the
courts of the United States. A federal judge holds a
position of great influence and respect, and can hold it for a
lifetime.
When a President chooses a judge, he is
placing in human hands the authority and majesty of the
law. He owes it to the Constitution and to the country to
choose with care. I have done so.
With me this afternoon are my first 11
judicial nominees, individuals of experience and
character. Four of them serve as United States district
judges, all four confirmed by unanimous votes. Two others
are sitting judges on state supreme courts. Four have served
as law clerks in the Supreme Court of the United States. One
has served here as an associate counsel to the
President. One already holds the position for which I
nominate him, by recess appointment of President Clinton.
These men and women have followed different
paths to this nomination. They come from diverse backgrounds, and will
bring a wide range of experience to the bench. All have
sterling credentials and have met high standards of legal training,
temperament and judgment.
As a group, they command broad, bipartisan
support among those who know them and who have served with
them. I submit their names to the Senate with full
confidence that they will satisfy any test of judicial merit.
These first nominations are also an
opportunity to outline the standards by which I will choose all federal
judges. The American people expect judges of the highest
caliber, and my nominees will meet that test. A judge, by the most
basic measure, has an obligation shared by the President and members of
Congress. All of us are constitutional officers, sworn to
serve within the limits of our Constitution and laws. When
we observe those limits, we exercise our rightful
power. When we exceed those limits, we abuse our powers.
Every judge I appoint will be a person who
clearly understands the role of a judge is to interpret the law, not to
legislate from the bench. To paraphrase the third occupant of this
house, James Madison, the courts exist to exercise not the will of men,
but the judgment of law. My judicial nominees will know the
difference. Understanding this will make them more effective
in the defense of rights guaranteed under the Constitution, the
enforcement of our laws, and more effective in assuming that justice is
done to the guilty and for the innocent.
My standard is informed by the oath that each
judge will take: to administer justice without respect to
persons, and to do equal right to poor and to the rich. A
good judge exercises these powers with discernment, courage and
humility. These are commitments, not just to philosophy, but
of character.
My nominees today and in the years to come
will be notable for their distinction and
accomplishments. And all will be exceptional for their
humanity and their integrity. With today's 11 nominees, we
continue a constitutional process that involves all three branches of
government.
For many weeks now, we have sought and
received advice from senators of both parties. I now submit
these nominations in good faith, trusting that good faith will also be
extended by the United States Senate. Over the years, we
have seen how the confirmation process can be turned to other
ends. We have seen political battles played out in committee
hearings -- battles that have little to do with the merits of the
person sitting before the committee.
This is not good for the Senate, for our
courts or for the country.
There are, today, over a hundred vacancies on
the federal courts, causing backlogs, frustration and delay of
justice. I urge senators of both parties to rise above the
bitterness of the past, to provide a fair hearing and a prompt vote to
every nominee. That should be the case for no matter who
lives in this house, and no matter who controls the senate.
I ask for the return of civility and dignity
to the confirmation process. And with this distinguished
group of nominees awaiting confirmation, there is no better opportunity
than right now. I congratulate all of you on your service
past, and for your service to come.
God bless. (Applause.)
END
2:50 P.M. EDT
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