[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19467]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       SUPREME COURT NOMINATIONS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, much has happened in the weeks since we 
adjourned for the August recess. In just the last few days, we have 
seen tragedy strike the gulf coast and learned that our friend, William 
Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States, had passed. Our thoughts 
and our prayers are with those struggling to pick up the pieces on the 
gulf coast following the hurricane. And, of course, our thoughts and 
prayers are with the Chief Justice's family.
  I had the good fortune of working with the Chief on several 
occasions, the first when I was head of the Democratic Policy 
Committee. I told my Democratic Senators I was going to ask the Chief 
Justice to come and talk to us. They said he would never do that. I 
called him, and he was happy to come. At that lunch, he displayed a 
great command of the law, of course, a strong commitment to judicial 
independence, and something that we didn't know existed--a sharp sense 
of humor. Just a short time later, I got to know him better when he 
presided over the impeachment trial here in the Senate.
  I am grateful to have worked with him, and in addition to have spoken 
to him on the telephone on several occasions at his office and at his 
home.
  As I have indicated, my condolences are with his family. He will be 
missed.
  Now that the President has said he will nominate Judge Roberts to 
replace Chief Justice Rehnquist, the Senate's advice and consent 
responsibility is even more important. If confirmed to this lifetime 
job, Judge Roberts will be the leader of the third branch of the 
Federal Government and most prominent judge in our Nation. The Senate 
must be vigilant in considering this nomination.
  I, of course, look forward to consulting with the President on the 
O'Connor seat which at some time will become vacant when the 
replacement is chosen. Justice O'Connor, we have heard from this floor 
and around the country, has been a voice of moderation and reason on 
the Court, and should be replaced by someone who, like her, embodies 
fundamental American values of fairness, liberty, and equality.

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