[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 19 (Monday, May 14, 2001)]
[Pages 724-725]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Announcing Nominations for the Federal Judiciary

May 9, 2001

    Thank you all very much. Attorney General, it's good to see you, 
sir, and happy birthday. Today is his birthday. Also, Judge Al Gonzales 
is here. Judge Gonzales is a great friend of mine who, fortunately, is 
my lawyer and is a part of the process, judicial selection process. 
Thank you for being here, Judge.
    I'm also honored to welcome Members of the United States Senate who 
are here to welcome the nominees to Washington: of course, Senator Orrin 
Hatch, chairman of the Judiciary; as well as Senator Patrick Leahy, 
ranking member on the Judiciary. It's good to see you men. Thank you 
both for coming. John Warner, George Allen, George Voinovich, and last 
but not least, Senator Strom Thurmond, welcome. Thank you all for 
coming.
    I'm pleased to welcome my judicial nominees to the White House. And 
I'm pleased to welcome their family and friends, as well.
    This is a proud moment for all of you, and it's a proud moment for 
me, as well. A President has few greater responsibilities than that of 
nominating men and women to the courts of the United States. A Federal 
judge holds a position of great influence and respect and can hold it 
for a lifetime.
    When a President chooses a judge, he is placing in human hands the 
authority and majesty of the law. He owes it to the Constitution and to 
the country to choose with care. I have done so.

[[Page 725]]

    With me this afternoon are my first 11 judicial nominees, 
individuals of experience and character. Four of them serve as United 
States district judges, all four confirmed by unanimous votes. Two 
others are sitting judges on State supreme courts. Four have served as 
law clerks in the Supreme Court of the United States. One has served 
here as an Associate Counsel to the President. One already holds the 
position for which I nominate him, by recess appointment of President 
Clinton.
    These men and women have followed different paths to this 
nomination. They come from diverse backgrounds and will bring a wide 
range of experience to the bench. All have sterling credentials and have 
met high standards of legal training, temperament, and judgment. As a 
group, they command broad, bipartisan support among those who know them 
and who have served with them. I submit their names to the Senate with 
full confidence that they will satisfy any test of judicial merit.
    These first nominations are also an opportunity to outline the 
standards by which I will choose all Federal judges. The American people 
expect judges of the highest caliber, and my nominees will meet that 
test. A judge, by the most basic measure, has an obligation shared by 
the President and Members of Congress. All of us are constitutional 
officers, sworn to serve within the limits of our Constitution and laws. 
When we observe those limits, we exercise our rightful power. When we 
exceed those limits, we abuse our powers.
    Every judge I appoint will be a person who clearly understands the 
role of a judge is to interpret the law, not to legislate from the 
bench. To paraphrase the third occupant of this house, James Madison, 
the courts exist to exercise not the will of men but the judgment of 
law. My judicial nominees will know the difference. Understanding this 
will make them more effective in the defense of rights guaranteed under 
the Constitution, the enforcement of our laws, and more effective in 
assuming that justice is done to the guilty and for the innocent.
    My standard is informed by the oath that each judge will take: to 
administer justice without respect to persons and to do equal right to 
poor and to the rich. A good judge exercises these powers with 
discernment, courage, and humility. These are commitments, not just to 
philosophy but of character.
    My nominees today and in the years to come will be notable for their 
distinction and accomplishments. And all will be exceptional for their 
humanity and their integrity. With today's 11 nominees, we continue a 
constitutional process that involves all three branches of Government.
    For many weeks now, we have sought and received advice from Senators 
of both parties. I now submit these nominations in good faith, trusting 
that good faith will also be extended by the United States Senate. Over 
the years, we have seen how the confirmation process can be turned to 
other ends. We have seen political battles played out in committee 
hearings, battles that have little to do with the merits of the person 
sitting before the committee. This is not good for the Senate, for our 
courts, or for the country.
    There are today over a hundred vacancies on the Federal courts, 
causing backlogs, frustration, and delay of justice. I urge Senators of 
both parties to rise above the bitterness of the past, to provide a fair 
hearing and a prompt vote to every nominee. That should be the case for 
no matter who lives in this house and no matter who controls the Senate.
    I ask for the return of civility and dignity to the confirmation 
process. And with this distinguished group of nominees awaiting 
confirmation, there is no better opportunity than right now. I 
congratulate all of you on your service past and for your service to 
come.
    God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 2:43 p.m. in the East Room at the White 
House.