[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 19 (Monday, May 12, 2003)]
[Pages 543-544]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Senate Confirmation of Deborah L. Cook as a Judge on the 
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

May 5, 2003

    I commend the Senate for confirming Deborah Cook to be a Judge on 
the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. She has served with 
distinction as an Ohio Supreme Court justice and is known for her 
integrity and outstanding legal ability. She has led a distinguished 
legal career, and she will make a superb appellate court judge.
    Justice Cook was first nominated on May 9, 2001, and has waited 
nearly 2 years for a vote. Some in the Senate continue to engage in 
obstructionist tactics and are preventing votes on two very qualified 
nominees who were also nominated on May 9, 2001, Miguel Estrada and 
Priscilla Owen.
    Our justice system relies upon an independent court system, and when 
there are vacancies, the American people suffer. I again call on the 
Senate to put an end to the delays and to hold an up-or-down vote on all 
judicial nominees within a reasonable amount of time, regardless of who 
is President or which party controls the Senate.

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