[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 41 (Thursday, March 9, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S1704]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                       NOMINATION OF NEIL GORSUCH

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, since his nomination to the Supreme 
Court was announced, Judge Neil Gorsuch has received extensive praise 
from former colleagues, the legal community, and editorial boards, 
among many others. It is praise that has come from across the political 
spectrum. Even many on the left can't help but compliment Judge 
Gorsuch's credentials, including former President Obama's own legal 
mentor, who called him ``brilliant,'' and his former acting solicitor 
general, who applauded Gorsuch's ``fairness and decency.''
  This week we add to that lengthy list of supporters more than 150 of 
Judge Gorsuch's former classmates at Columbia University. As they note, 
these alumni have followed an array of postgraduate pursuits: They are 
CEOs and stay-at-home parents, professors and lawyers, entrepreneurs 
and scientists. They come from different socioeconomic and ethnic 
backgrounds, practice different faiths, reside in different parts of 
our country, and hold very diverse political views.
  Even so, each of these Columbia grads can agree on at least one 
thing: Neil Gorsuch's fitness to serve on the Supreme Court. Let me 
share the letter they just sent to the Judiciary Committee:

       At Columbia, Neil Gorsuch notably distinguished himself 
     among his peers. He was a serious and brilliant student who 
     earned deep respect from teachers and students alike. With an 
     encyclopedic knowledge on a staggering array of subjects, he 
     could be counted on for his insightful, logical and well-
     reasoned comments. He carried a full and challenging course-
     load, finishing in three years and graduating Phi Beta Kappa.

  The letter continues:

       The hallmark of Neil Gorsuch's tenure at Columbia was his 
     unflagging commitment to respectful and open dialogue on 
     campus.
       Despite an often contentious environment, Neil was a 
     steadfast believer that we could disagree without being 
     disagreeable. To be sure, he could deliver a devastating 
     argument, laden with carefully researched facts and presented 
     in a crisp and organized manner. Yet he was always a 
     thoughtful and fair-minded listener who would not hesitate to 
     re-evaluate his own beliefs when presented with persuasive 
     arguments. His amiable nature, good humor and respect for 
     differing viewpoints was admired and appreciated by all.

  So it was clear even years ago that the ``intellect, academic record, 
and character'' of their classmate Neil Gorsuch was ``so special''--
``so special'' that ``there was a shared sense that he was poised for a 
meaningful and purposeful future.''
  How right they were. Neil Gorsuch is exceptionally qualified to serve 
on the Supreme Court. He has, as I just noted, an ``encyclopedic 
knowledge on a staggering array of subjects . . . with insightful, 
logical and well-reasoned comments.'' He is a ``humble man with no 
appetite for self-promotion.'' Let me say that again: a ``humble man 
with no appetite for self-promotion.'' He is ``an upstanding person'' 
with ``unyielding integrity, faith in our institutions and unfailing 
politeness.'' These are the words of his former classmates, and they 
are the qualities we expect in a Supreme Court Justice.
  Regardless of political leanings, we all should understand the 
importance of confirming Justices who will interpret the law as 
written, not misuse their office to impose their own views as to what, 
in their mind, should have been written instead. We should understand 
the importance of confirming Justices who will apply the law equally to 
all Americans, not rule based on their empathy--empathy--for certain 
groups over others.
  I am confident that Judge Gorsuch is more than prepared to meet these 
critical standards. It is the type of judge he has been on the Federal 
court of appeals. It is the type of Justice he will be on the high 
Court as well. That is why we continue to see recommendations for 
Gorsuch flooding in from people of all backgrounds and all political 
views.
  In the coming weeks, I am sure the support for Judge Gorsuch will 
continue to grow, and I know we are all eager to hear from the judge 
himself when he goes before the Judiciary Committee later this month. 
When he does, I hope colleagues on both sides will show him the fair--
fair--consideration that he deserves, the same fair consideration we 
showed to all four of the Supreme Court nominees of President Obama and 
President Clinton after they were first elected--a respectful hearing 
followed by an up-or-down vote.

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