In
his opening statement to the Committee, Judge Alito offered an eloquent
description of the proper role of a judge. He put it this way: "A judge
cannot have any agenda, a judge cannot have any preferred outcome in any
particular case. The judge's only obligation is to the rule of law. In
every single case, the judge has to do what the law requires."
Judge Alito has embodied this understanding of a judge's proper role
throughout his distinguished career. He has participated in thousands of
appeals, and he has authored hundreds of opinions. His record shows that
he strictly and fairly interprets the Constitution and laws, and does
not try to legislate from the bench or impose his personal preference on
the people. As the American people saw this week, Judge Alito always
approaches the law in a thoughtful, fair, and open-minded way.
Throughout his life, Sam Alito has demonstrated a mastery of the law,
great decency, and a strong commitment to public service. As a young
man, he wore his country's uniform in the Army Reserve, and achieved the
rank of Captain. Early in his legal career, he worked as a federal
prosecutor. As Assistant to the Solicitor General, Sam Alito argued 12
cases before the Supreme Court. He later served in the Justice
Department's Office of Legal Counsel, where he provided constitutional
advice for the President and the executive branch.
In 1987, President Reagan named Sam Alito the United States Attorney
for the District of New Jersey -- the top federal prosecutor in one of
the Nation's largest federal districts. The Senate confirmed him by
unanimous consent. In this important post, Sam Alito showed a passionate
commitment to justice and the rule of law, and earned a reputation for
being both tough and fair. He moved aggressively against white-collar
and environmental crimes, drug trafficking, organized crime, and
violations of civil rights. In 1990, President Bush nominated Sam Alito
for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the
Senate once again confirmed him by unanimous consent. He's served with
distinction on that court for 15 years, and he has more prior judicial
experience than any Supreme Court nominee in more than 70 years.
Sam Alito's brilliance, integrity, and accomplishments have gained
him respect and praise from his colleagues and from attorneys across the
political spectrum. This week, fellow judges from the Third Circuit
publicly testified in support of his confirmation, and they praised his
integrity and fairness. The American Bar Association gave Judge Alito a
unanimous rating of "well-qualified" -- the ABA's highest possible
rating. The ABA concluded that Judge Alito meets "the highest standards"
of "integrity, professional competence, and judicial temperament." In
the past, leading Democratic senators have called the ABA's rating
system the "gold standard" for judicial nominees.
During this week's hearings and over the course of his career, Judge
Alito has demonstrated that he is eminently qualified to serve on our
Nation's highest court. I'm grateful to Senator Arlen Specter for his
superb work in chairing the hearings. I also thank Judge Alito's wife,
Martha, and the Alito children for their patience and dignity during the
confirmation process.
Now the Senate has a duty to give Judge Alito a prompt up-or-down
vote. I look forward to the Senate voting to confirm Sam Alito as 110th
Justice of the Supreme Court. America is fortunate to have a man of his
intellect and integrity willing to serve, and as a Justice on our
Nation's highest court, Sam Alito will make all Americans proud.
Thank you for listening.