    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [January 9, 2006]
    [Pages 24-25]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to Reporters Following a Meeting With Associate Justice-
    Designate Samuel A. Alito, Jr.
    January 9, 2006

        Good morning. I just had breakfast with Judge Alito. I told him I
    think he conducted himself with such dignity and class in the weeks
    leading up to the confirmation process, which begins today.
        Sam Alito is imminently qualified to be a member of the bench. I'm
    not the only person who feels that way. The American Bar Association
    looked at his record, looked at his opinions, looked at his temperament,
    and came to the same conclusion, that he is well-qualified to be a
    Supreme Court judge.
        Sam's got the intellect necessary to bring a lot of class to that
    Court. He's got a judicial temperament necessary to make sure that the
    Court is a body that interprets the law and doesn't try to write the
    law. And so I'm looking forward to your hearings. I know the American
    people will be impressed, just like I have been impressed and a lot of
    other Members of the Senate have been impressed.
        And my hope, of course, is that the American people will be
    impressed by the process. It's very important that Members of the Senate
    conduct a dignified hearing. The Supreme Court is a dignified body; Sam
    is a dignified person. And my hope, of course, is that the Senate bring
    dignity to the process, give this man a fair hearing, and an up-or-down
    vote on the Senate floor.
        Sam, good luck to you. Thanks for your agreement to serve. I
    appreciate you.

    Note: The President spoke at 7:52 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. The

    [[Page 25]]

    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.