[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 25 (Thursday, March 2, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. JIM KOLBE

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2006

  Mr. KOLBE. Mr. Speaker, the legacy of Sandra Day O'Connor will last 
long after her distinguished service on the Supreme Court.
  Not only does she have the distinction of being the first woman to 
serve on the court, but for more than twenty years she has helped to 
shape the legal landscape of this country with her thoughtful, 
carefully crafted decisions and her votes which have put her firmly in 
the center of American jurisprudence--exactly where the American people 
find themselves.
  I have a special affection for Sandra Day O'Connor because we share 
so much in our background. We both grew up on a cattle ranch in 
southern Arizona. We both attended Stanford University. We both served 
in the Arizona Senate. When she served on the bench in Arizona and I 
served as chairman of the Judiciary Committee in the Senate, we both 
toiled through a two year process of reforming the criminal code in our 
state.
  Wherever and however our paths have crossed, I always admired her 
achievements, her wit and her wisdom.
  On a personal level, I have known Justice O'Connor and her husband 
for many years and have admired their wonderful relationship and their 
family. I know they look forward to getting reconnected and I wish John 
and Sandra all the happiness possible in the remaining years they share 
together.

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