[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H4013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE HISTORIC NOMINATION OF KETANJI BROWN JACKSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Ross) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great admiration for the 
strength and grace that Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has demonstrated 
throughout her nomination process for the United States Supreme Court.
  Last week, people from all over the world watched as she embarked on 
a journey that only five other women in history have taken. For too 
long, our judicial system and our government have not reflected the 
great talent and diversity of our Nation.
  Like so many young women, especially our mothers and grandmothers, I 
had very few female examples to emulate at the beginning of my legal 
career. When I was at a pivotal age in high school, trying to decide 
exactly what path to take and what was even possible to achieve, I got 
to watch the nomination process for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
  She was the first woman ever nominated to our Nation's highest Court, 
and I was deeply moved by her poise and intelligence under questioning 
from the much older male Senators. Her confirmation solidified in me a 
passion for the law and a belief that I could accomplish anything I set 
my mind to.
  I then went on to become a student of the Constitution myself, 
attending law school, practicing constitutional law, arguing in court, 
and fighting for justice as an attorney, a State legislator, and now as 
a proud member of the Judiciary Committee in the United States House of 
Representatives.
  The world has completely transformed since I watched that 
confirmation hearing in 1981, yet, since that time, only four other 
women have joined our Nation's highest Court. Each of these Justices 
brought a unique perspective and inspired young women across the 
country.
  Because of the small number of women who have been appointed, every 
time a woman is up for the bench, it is necessarily historic. I am 
ready for it to be less historic.
  Although 51 percent of our population is female, of the 115 Justices 
in American history, 110 of them have been men. And none of them, not 
one, has been an African-American woman. Mr. Speaker, that needs to 
change at a faster rate.
  Justice Ginsburg was once asked when there will be enough women on 
the Court. She responded, ``When there are nine.''
  If confirmed, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the next, and the 
first African-American woman. I would like to say ``when confirmed.'' 
Her nomination marks a momentous step forward in the long struggle for 
a judicial system that truly represents every American and delivers 
justice, fairness, and equality for all.
  I can relate to all the young women out there watching this 
nomination process, feeling inspired to follow in her footsteps. Don't 
be deterred or dismayed by the disrespect that she was shown by a 
handful of Senators. My message to the young women is: You can do this. 
No matter the challenges or the obstacles, you can achieve your dreams.
  Judge Brown Jackson said last week that her nomination is truly a 
testament to the hope and the promise of this country. She continues to 
give us new hope, especially to young women lawyers, and her rise to 
the highest Court of the land holds out the promise of a brighter 
future for our country.
  Mr. Speaker, Judge Brown Jackson is an exceptional, extremely 
qualified nominee, and I look forward to calling her Justice Brown 
Jackson.

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