    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [July 19, 2005]
    [Pages 1247-1248]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Address to the Nation Announcing the Nomination of John G. Roberts,
    Jr., To Be an Associate Justice of the
    United States Supreme Court
    July 19, 2005

        Good evening. One of the most consequential decisions a President
    makes is his appointment of a Justice to the Supreme Court. When a
    President chooses a Justice, he's placing in human hands the authority
    and majesty of the law. The decisions of the Supreme Court affect the
    life of every American.
        And so a nominee to that Court must be a person of superb
    credentials and the highest integrity, a person who will faithfully
    apply the Constitution and keep our founding promise of equal justice
    under law. I have found such a person in Judge John Roberts.
        And tonight I'm honored to announce that I am nominating him to
    serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. John Roberts currently
    serves on one of the most influential courts in the Nation, the United
    States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
        Before he was a respected judge, he was known as one of the most
    distinguished and talented attorneys in America. John Roberts has
    devoted his entire professional life to the cause of justice and is
    widely admired for his intellect, his sound judgment, and personal
    decency.
        Judge Roberts was born in Buffalo and grew up in Indiana. In high
    school, he captained his football team, and he worked summers in a steel
    mill to help pay his way through college. He's an honors graduate of
    both Harvard College and Harvard Law School. In his career, he has
    served as a law clerk to Justice William Rehnquist, as an Associate Counsel to President Ronald Reagan, and as
    the Principal Deputy Solicitor General in the Department of Justice.
        In public service and in private practice, he has argued 39 cases
    before the Supreme Court and earned a reputation as one of the best
    legal minds of his generation. Judge Roberts has earned the respect of
    people from both political parties. After he was nominated for the Court
    of Appeals in 2001, a bipartisan group of more than 150 lawyers sent a
    letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee. 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 court appeals judge
            and should be confirmed by the United States Senate.''
        The signers of this letter included a former Counsel to a Republican
    President, a former Counsel to two Democratic Presidents, and a former--
    and former high-ranking Justice Department officials of both parties.
        My decision to nominate Judge Roberts to the Supreme Court came
    after a thorough and deliberative process. My staff and I consulted with
    more than 70 Members of the United States Senate. I received good advice
    from both Republicans and Democrats. I appreciate the care they took.
    I'm grateful for their advice. I reviewed the credentials of many well-
    qualified men and women. I met personally with a number of potential
    nominees.
        In my meetings with Judge Roberts, I have been deeply impressed.
    He's a man

    [[Page 1248]]

    of extraordinary accomplishment and ability. He has a good heart. 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.
        He's also a man of character who loves his country and his family.
    I'm pleased that his wife, Jane, and his two
    beautiful children, Jack and
    Josie, could be with us tonight. Judge
    Roberts has served his fellow citizens well, and he is prepared for even
    greater service.
        Under the Constitution, Judge Roberts now goes before the United
    States Senate for confirmation. I've recently spoken with leaders
    Senator Frist and Senator Reid and with senior members of the Judiciary Committee,
    Chairman Specter and Senator Leahy. These Senators share my goal of a dignified
    confirmation process that is conducted with fairness and civility. The
    appointments of the two most recent Justices to the Supreme Court prove
    that this confirmation can be done in a timely manner.
        So I have full confidence that the Senate will rise to the occasion
    and act promptly on this nomination. It is important that the newest
    Justice be on the bench when the Supreme Court reconvenes in October. I
    believe that Democrats and Republicans alike will see the strong
    qualifications of this fine judge, as they did when they confirmed him
    by unanimous consent to the judicial seat he now holds.
        I look forward to the Senate voting to confirm Judge John Roberts as
    the 109th Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
        Judge Roberts, thank you for agreeing to serve, and congratulations.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:02 p.m. on the State Floor at the White
    House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary also
    included the remarks of Judge Roberts. The Office of the Press Secretary
    also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.