    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [February 1, 2006]
    [Pages 169-170]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Swearing-In Ceremony for Samuel A. Alito, Jr., as an Associate Justice of the United States
    Supreme Court
    February 1, 2006

        Good afternoon. Laura and I welcome you to
    the White House. Mr. Chief Justice,
    thank you for coming. Members of the Supreme Court, thank you all for
    being here. Members of the Senate, honored you're here. Ladies and
    gentlemen, appreciate you joining us on this historic occasion. This
    afternoon we're also honored by the presence of a strong and graceful
    woman, Mrs. Cissy Marshall. Thank you for
    coming, Mrs. Marshall.
        Yesterday the United States Senate confirmed Sam Alito as the 110th
    Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Last night he looked
    pretty good in that black robe sitting there. [Laughter]
        It's a proud day for Judge Alito and his entire family. We extend a
    special welcome to Martha, who has been at
    his side for more than 20 years. And with us, you can see his son,
    Phil, and daughter, Laura. If they're anything like our daughters, they're
    probably telling their dad how to behave and how to testify. [Laughter]
        I appreciate Rosemary being with us
    today. And we're thinking of Sam's mom, Rose, who
    turned 91 in December. And of course, as we think of Rose, we think of
    her husband, Sam's late father. He came to our country as an immigrant
    from Italy in 1914. Sam Alito, Sr., instilled in his son a deep
    commitment to serving his fellow Americans. And I'm sure he's looking
    down with pride as Sam takes his place on the highest Court of the
    United States of America.
        Sam Alito is replacing an extraordinary Justice, Sandra Day
    O'Connor. Justice O'Connor has been an
    admired member of the Supreme Court for 24 years. She has served our
    Nation with decency and spirit and great devotion, and I thank her on
    behalf of all the American people.
        Sam, you've drawn quite a distinguished crowd here. I appreciate the
    Vice President being here, and Lynne. I want to thank the Attorney General and other members of my Cabinet who have joined us today.
    I want to thank the members of my team who have worked so hard to help
    Sam, particularly former Senator Dan Coats
    of Indiana.
        I want to thank Secretary Mike Chertoff, who's with us. The reason I bring up Chertoff is they
    worked together, and Chertoff kind of put in a good word for Sam, you
    know--[laughter]--at a crucial moment. [Laughter]
        I particularly want to thank the Members of the Senate who are here.
    I'm sorry I'm a little late. I've just come in from Tennessee. I got a
    little windy. And Senator Frist was with me. I
    appreciate you, Leader, for working hard to get this good man through.
    And thank you, Mitch McConnell, Senator McConnell, as well. I don't want to name
    all the Senators since we're running a little late, but I do want to
    mention the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Arlen Specter, who did a heck of good job.
        Judge Alito becomes Justice Alito. As he becomes Justice Alito, our
    Nation completes a process that was ordained by our Founders in
    Philadelphia more than 200 years ago. Under the Constitution, the
    President nominates and, by and with the consent--advice and consent of
    the Senate, appoints the Justices of the Supreme Court. This process has
    been carried out many times since the beginning of our democracy. And
    each new appointment represents a renewal of the promise of our country
    and our constitutional order.
        Our Founders thought carefully about the role they wanted judges to
    play in the American Republic. They decided on a

    [[Page 170]]

    court system that would be independent from political or public
    pressure, with judges who serve for life. America expects members of our
    judiciary to be prudent in exercising judicial power and firm in
    defending judicial independence. So every member of the Supreme Court
    takes an oath to uphold the Constitution and administer justice
    faithfully and impartially. This is a solemn responsibility.
        And the man we honor today has demonstrated his devotion to our
    courts and law through years of service to our country. Sam Alito has
    distinguished himself as a member of our military, a Federal prosecutor,
    Assistant to the Solicitor General, U.S. Attorney in New Jersey, and for
    the last 15 years, a highly respected judge on the Third Circuit Court
    of Appeals.
        Sam Alito is known for his steady demeanor, careful judgment, and
    complete integrity. Throughout his career he has treated others with
    respect. In return, he has earned the admiration of his colleagues on
    the bench, the lawyers who have come before it, and, of course, a very
    devoted group of proud law clerks.
        During the confirmation process, the American people saw a man of
    character and legal brilliance. Like our fellow citizens, I was
    impressed by the dignity Sam Alito and his family displayed during the
    Senate hearings, and by the thoughtful scholarship and reverence of the
    Constitution that have always defined his approach to the law.
        A Supreme Court Justice must meet the highest standard of legal
    excellence, while serving with humility and fidelity to our founding
    promise of equal justice under the law. These are qualities Americans
    want in a Supreme Court Justice. These are qualities Americans see in
    Sam Alito. He will make a superb Justice of the Supreme Court, and I
    know this son of New Jersey will make all Americans proud.
        Sam, I thank you for agreeing to serve our country again and for
    accepting this new call to duty.
        Now I ask the Chief Justice of the
    United States, John Roberts, to please step forward and administer the
    oath.

    Note: The President spoke at 4:22 p.m. in the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Cecilia Marshall, wife of former
    Justice Thurgood Marshall. The transcript released by the Office of the
    Press Secretary also included the remarks of Associate Justice Alito.