    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [July 23, 2005]
    [Pages 1277-1278]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    July 23, 2005

        Good morning. Under the Constitution, one of the most consequential
    decisions a President makes is an appointment to the Supreme Court. This
    week I was proud to announce my nomination of Judge John
    Roberts to be the Supreme Court's next
    Associate Justice.
        Judge Roberts has a stellar record
    of achievement. He is a man of sound judgment and the highest integrity.
    He has the qualities Americans expect in a judge, experience, wisdom,
    fairness, and civility. He has profound respect for the rule of law and
    for the liberties guaranteed to every citizen. He will strictly apply
    the Constitution and laws, not legislate from the bench.
        Judge Roberts currently serves on
    the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit,
    which is often considered America's second highest court. He has also
    served as a top lawyer at the Department of Justice, an attorney in the
    White House for President Ronald Reagan, and a distinguished advocate in
    private practice. He gained early experience at the Supreme Court as a
    law clerk to Justice William Rehnquist.
    He graduated with high honors from both Harvard College and Harvard Law
    School. And as a young man growing up in Indiana, he captained his high
    school football team and worked summers in a steel mill to earn money
    for college.
         One of the highest honors for any lawyer is to argue a case before
    the Supreme Court. In his extraordinary career, Judge Roberts has argued a remarkable 39 cases before the
    Nation's highest court. He is known by Democrats and Republicans alike
    as a brilliant thinker, a fair-minded judge, and a decent man. After I
    nominated Judge Roberts to the Court of Appeals in 2001, a bipartisan
    group of more than 150 lawyers sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary
    Committee, and here is what they wrote: ``Although as individuals we
    reflect a wide spectrum of political party affiliation and ideology, we
    are united in our belief that John Roberts will be an outstanding
    Federal appeals court judge and should be confirmed by the United States
    Senate. He is one of the very best and most highly respected appellate
    lawyers in the Nation.''
        The next step for Judge Roberts is
    the Senate confirmation process. The process is off to a good start.
    Since I announced his nomination, Judge Roberts has met with a number of
    Senators from both parties. Democrats and Republicans have expressed
    their respect for Judge Roberts's qualifications and intellect, just as
    they did 2 years ago when they confirmed him to be a Federal appeals
    court judge by unanimous consent.
        In the weeks ahead, the Senate will have an opportunity to rise
    above partisanship. I've spoken to Senate Majority Leader Frist and Minority Leader Reid as well
    as chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, Senators
    Specter and Leahy.

    [[Page 1278]]

    These Senators share my goal of an orderly and dignified confirmation
    process, and it is important that Judge Roberts be confirmed before the Court reconvenes on October the
    3d.
        President Clinton's two appointments
    to the Supreme Court proved that the Senate can conduct a thorough
    review and vote on a nominee within a reasonable timetable. Justice Ruth
    Bader Ginsburg was confirmed 42 days
    after the President submitted her nomination, and Justice Stephen
    Breyer was confirmed 73 days after his
    nomination was submitted. In both cases, Democrats and Republicans
    helped move the process forward promptly and voted to confirm the
    justices, despite significant philosophical differences.
        America is fortunate to have a man of such wisdom and intellectual
    strength willing to serve our country. I'm grateful to Judge
    Roberts' wife, Jane, and their two children, Jack and Josie, and I look
    forward to the Senate voting to confirm Judge John Roberts as 109th
    justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 7:49 a.m. on July 22 in the Cabinet
    Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on July 23. The
    transcript was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    July 22 but was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.