[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 1 (Monday, January 8, 2001)]
[Pages 4-5]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Judicial Vacancies

January 3, 2001

    The most fundamental right of American democracy is the right to 
equal justice under the law. Whenever our citizens knock on the door of 
justice, they have a right to expect a judge to answer. Unfortunately, 
too many courts around the country are in a state of emergency because 
of judicial vacancies. In these places justice is being delayed. The 
people's appeals are not being heard. That is simply unacceptable. 
That's why today I

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renominated eight highly qualified appellate court nominees for 
vacancies that are considered by the U.S. Judicial Conference to be 
judicial emergencies.
    They are Roger Gregory of Virginia, nominated to fill a vacancy on 
the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; Judge James 
Wynn of North Carolina, nominated for the fourth circuit; Enrique Moreno 
of Texas, nominated for the fifth circuit; Judge Helene White of 
Michigan, nominated for the sixth circuit--the longest waiting nominee; 
Kathleen McCree Lewis of Michigan, nominated for the sixth circuit; 
Bonnie Campbell of Iowa, nominated for the eighth circuit; Barry Goode 
of California, nominated for the ninth circuit; and James Duffy of 
Hawaii, nominated for the ninth circuit. Together, these nominees have 
waited a total of 4,757 days for Senate action--that's more than 13 
years combined. Only one of them has even received a hearing. And two--
the nominees from Hawaii and North Carolina--are from States with no 
current representation on the appellate court, even though under Federal 
law every State should have such representation.
    It is my sincere hope that we can work with the Senate in a 
bipartisan spirit to get these nominees confirmed. The qualifications of 
these nominees are not in question. All of them are highly rated and 
respected. They also represent the kind of diversity that we all know 
enhances fairness and confidence in our courts.
    In a nation that prides itself in the fair and expeditious rule of 
law, the people have a right to expect that judicial emergencies are 
treated with the urgency they demand. So, I urge the new Senate to give 
these nominees the simple up or down vote they deserve without further 
delay.