THE
PRESIDENT: Good evening. One of the most consequential decisions a
President makes is his appointment of a Justice to the Supreme Court.
When a President chooses a Justice, he's placing in human hands the
authority and majesty of the law. The decisions of the Supreme Court
affect the life of every American.
And so a nominee to that Court must be a person of superb credentials
and the highest integrity; a person who will faithfully apply the
Constitution and keep our founding promise of equal justice under law. I
have found such a person in Judge John Roberts.
And tonight, I'm honored to announce that I am nominating him to
serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. John Roberts currently
serves on one of the most influential courts in the nation, the United
States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Before he was a -- before he was a respected judge, he was known as
one of the most distinguished and talented attorneys in America. John
Roberts has devoted his entire professional life to the cause of justice
and is widely admired for his intellect, his sound judgment, and
personal decency.
Judge Roberts was born in Buffalo and grew up in Indiana. In high
school, he captained his football team, and he worked summers in a steel
mill to help pay his way through college. He's an honors graduate of
both Harvard College and Harvard Law School. In his career, he has
served as a law clerk to Justice William Rehnquist, as an Associate
Counsel to President Ronald Reagan, and as the Principal Deputy
Solicitor General in the Department of Justice.
In public service and in private practice, he has argued 39 cases
before the Supreme Court and earned a reputation as one of the best
legal minds of his generation. Judge Roberts has earned the respect of
people from both political parties. After he was nominated for the Court
of Appeals in 2001, a bipartisan group of more than 150 lawyers sent a
letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee. They wrote:
"Although as individuals we reflect a wide spectrum of political
party affiliation and ideology, we are united in our belief that John
Roberts will be an outstanding federal court appeals judge and should be
confirmed by the United States Senate."
The signers of this letter included a former counsel to a Republican
President, a former counsel to two Democratic Presidents, and a former
-- and former high-ranking Justice Department officials of both parties.
My decision to nominate Judge Roberts to the Supreme Court came after
a thorough and deliberative process. My staff and I consulted with more
than 70 members of the United States Senate. I received good advice from
both Republicans and Democrats. I appreciate the care they took. I'm
grateful for their advice. I reviewed the credentials of many
well-qualified men and women. I met personally with a number of
potential nominees.
In my meetings with Judge Roberts, I have been deeply impressed. He's a
man of extraordinary accomplishment and ability. He has a good heart. He
has the qualities Americans expect in a judge: experience, wisdom,
fairness, and civility. He has profound respect for the rule of law and
for the liberties guaranteed to every citizen. He will strictly apply
the Constitution and laws, not legislate from the bench.
He's also a man of character who loves his country and his family.
I'm pleased that his wife, Jane, and his two beautiful children, Jack
and Josie, could be with us tonight. Judge Roberts has served his fellow
citizens well, and he is prepared for even greater service.
Under the Constitution, Judge Roberts now goes before the United
States Senate for confirmation. I've recently spoken with leaders
Senator First and Senator Reid, and with senior members of the Judiciary
Committee, Chairman Specter and Senator Leahy. These senators share my
goal of a dignified confirmation process that is conducted with fairness
and civility. The appointments of the two most recent Justices to the
Supreme Court prove that this confirmation can be done in a timely
manner.
So I have full confidence that the Senate will rise to the occasion
and act promptly on this nomination. It is important that the newest
Justice be on the bench when the Supreme Court reconvenes in October. I
believe that Democrats and Republicans alike will see the strong
qualifications of this fine judge as they did when they confirmed him by
unanimous consent to the judicial seat he now holds.
I look forward to the Senate voting to confirm Judge John Roberts as
the 109th Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Judge
Roberts, thank you for agreeing to serve, and congratulations.
JUDGE ROBERTS: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Thank you, very
much. It is both an honor and very humbling to be nominated to serve on
the Supreme Court.
Before I became a judge, my law practice consisted largely of arguing
cases before the Court. That experience left me with a profound
appreciation for the role of the Court in our constitutional democracy
and a deep regard for the Court as an institution. I always got a lump
in my throat whenever I walked up those marble steps to argue a case
before the Court, and I don't think it was just from the nerves.
I am very grateful for the confidence has shown in nominating me, and
I look forward to the next step in the process before the United States
Senate.
It's also appropriate for me to acknowledge that I would not be
standing here today if it were not for the sacrifice and help of my
parents, Jack and Rosemary Roberts, my three sisters, Cathy, Peggy, and
Barbara, and of course, my wife, Jane. And I also want to acknowledge my
children -- my daughter, Josie, my son, Jack -- who remind me every day
why it's so important for us to work to preserve the institutions of our
democracy.
Thank you again, very much.