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Skriven 2005-10-03 23:39:50 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (051003) for Mon, 2005 Oct 3
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President Nominates Harriet Miers as Supreme Court Justice
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 3, 2005

President Nominates Harriet Miers as Supreme Court Justice
The Oval Office

President's Remarks
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˙˙˙˙˙In Focus: Judicial Nominations

8:01 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: In our great democracy, the Supreme Court is the guardian of
our constitutional freedoms and the protector of our founding promise of
equal justice under the law. Over the past five years, I've spoken clearly
to the American people about the qualities I look for in a Supreme Court
Justice. A Justice must be a person of accomplishment and sound legal
judgment. A Justice must be a person of fairness and unparalleled
integrity. And a Justice must strictly apply the Constitution and laws of
the United States, and not legislate from the bench.

This summer I nominated an individual to the High Court who embodies all
these characteristics. And this morning our nation can be proud when John
Roberts opens a new Supreme Court session as the 17th Chief Justice of the
United States.

It is now my duty to select a nominee to fill the seat that will be left
vacant by the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Once again, I
considered a wide variety of distinguished Americans from different walks
of life. Once again, we consulted with Democrats and Republicans in the
United States Senate. We received good advice from more than 80 senators.
And once again, one person stood out as exceptionally well suited to sit on
the Highest Court of our nation.

This morning, I'm proud to announce that I am nominating Harriet Ellan
Miers to serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. For the past five
years, Harriet Miers has served in critical roles in our nation's
government, including one of the most important legal positions in the
country, White House Counsel. She has devoted her life to the rule of law
and the cause of justice. She will be an outstanding addition to the
Supreme Court of the United States.

Harriet was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She attended public schools.
When illness struck her family during her freshman year in college, Harriet
went to work to help pay for her own education. She went on to receive a
bachelor's degree in mathematics and a law degree from Southern Methodist
University.

Over the course of a distinguished legal career, Harriet has earned the
respect and admiration of her fellow attorneys. She has a record of
achievement in the law, as well as experience as an elected member of the
Dallas City Council. She served at high levels of both state and federal
government. Before state and federal courts, she has tried cases, and
argued appeals that covered a broad range of matters. She's been a leader
in the American Bar Association, and has been recognized by the National
Law Journal as one of the most powerful attorneys in America.

Harriet's greatest inspiration was her mother, who taught her the
difference between right and wrong, and instilled in Harriet the conviction
that she could do anything she set her mind to. Inspired by that
confidence, Harriet became a pioneer in the field of law, breaking down
barriers to women that remained even after a generation -- remained a
generation after President Reagan appointed Justice O'Connor to the Supreme
Court.

Harriet was the first woman to be hired at one of Dallas's top law firms,
the first woman to become President of that firm, the first woman to lead a
large law firm in the state of Texas. Harriet also became the first woman
president of the Dallas Bar Association, and the first woman elected
president of the State Bar of Texas. In recognition of her achievements
paving the way for women lawyers, Harriet's colleagues in Texas have
honored her with numerous awards, most recently the Sandra Day O'Connor
award for professional excellence.

Harriet has built a reputation for fairness and integrity. When I came to
office as the governor of Texas, the Lottery Commission needed a leader of
unquestioned integrity. I chose Harriet because I knew she would earn the
confidence of the people of Texas. The Dallas Morning News said that
Harriet insisted on a system that was fair and honest. She delivered
results.

Harriet has also earned a reputation for her deep compassion and abiding
sense of duty. In Texas, she made it her mission to support better legal
representation for the poor and under-served. As president of the Dallas
Bar, she called on her fellow lawyers to volunteer and staff free
neighborhood clinics. She led by example. She put in long hours of pro bono
work. Harriet Miers has given generously of her time and talent by serving
as a leader with more than a dozen community groups and charities,
including the Young Women's Christian Association, Child Care Dallas,
Goodwill Industries, Exodus Ministries, Meals on Wheels and the Legal Aid
Society.

Harriet's life has been characterized by service to others, and she will
bring that same passion for service to the Supreme Court of the United
States. I've given a lot of thought to the kind of people who should serve
on the federal judiciary. I've come to agree with the late Chief Justice
William Rehnquist, who wrote about the importance of having judges who are
drawn from a wide diversity of professional backgrounds. Justice Rehnquist
himself came to the Supreme Court without prior experience on the bench, as
did more than 35 other men, including Byron White. And I'm proud to
nominate an outstanding woman who brings a similar record of achievement in
private practice and public service.

Under the Constitution, Harriet's nomination now goes before the United
States Senate for confirmation. The American people expect Harriet's
hearings to be handled with the same respect and civility that
characterized the last three Supreme Court confirmations -- those of Chief
Justice Roberts, Justice Breyer and Justice Ginsberg.

In its consideration of Chief Justice Roberts' nomination, the Senate made
it clear that a well-qualified nominee, committed to strictly interpret the
law, can be confirmed promptly, and by a large bipartisan majority. As the
new Chief Justice said at his swearing in last week, the Senate vote
affirmed the bedrock principle that judging is different from politics. I
believe that senators of both parties will find that Harriet Miers' talent,
experience and judicial philosophy make her a superb choice to safeguard
the constitutional liberties and equality of all Americans.

Harriet Miers will strictly interpret our Constitution and laws. She will
not legislation from the bench. I ask the Senate to review her
qualifications thoroughly and fairly, and to vote on her nomination
promptly.

This morning I again thank Justice O'Connor for her 24 years of service on
the Supreme Court, including some additional time that she had not planned
on. In selecting a nominee, I've sought to find an American of grace,
judgment and unwavering devotion to the Constitution and laws of our
country. Harriet Miers is just such a person.

I've known Harriet for more than a decade. I know her heart, I know her
character. I know that Harriet's mother is proud of her today, and I know
her father would be proud of her, too. I'm confident that Harriet Miers
will add to the wisdom and character of our judiciary when she is confirmed
as the 110th Justice of the Supreme Court.

Harriet, thank you for agreeing to serve. Congratulations.

MS. MIERS: Thank you, Mr. President, thank you very much. I am very
grateful for the confidence in me that you have shown by this nomination,
and, certainly, I am humbled by it.

From my early days as a clerk in the federal district court, and throughout
almost three decades of legal practice, bar service and community service,
I have always had a great respect and admiration for the genius that
inspired our Constitution and our system of government. My respect and
admiration have only grown over these past five years that you have allowed
me to serve the American people as a representative of the executive
branch.

The wisdom of those who drafted our constitution and conceived our nation
as functioning with three strong and independent branches have proven truly
remarkable. It is the responsibility of every generation to be true to the
founders' vision of the proper role of the courts in our society. If
confirmed, I recognize that I will have a tremendous responsibility to keep
our judicial system strong, and to help ensure that the courts meet their
obligations to strictly apply the laws and the Constitution.

As White House Counsel, I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with the
members of the Congress. And that experience has given me an eager -- even
greater appreciation for the role of the legislative branch in our
constitutional system.

And now I look forward to the next step in the process that has begun this
morning, including the Senate's consideration of my nomination. I look
forward to participating in that process.

And now I want to pause and thank all of those whose love and friendship
and support have brought me to this moment. No one reaches a point in time
such as this without tremendous sacrifice, help and encouragement of family
and friends and colleagues.

I'm immensely grateful to the support and love that I feel for my brothers
Harris, Robert, and Jeb, and their families, and the love and support that
I knew from my father and my sister, Kitty -- and the love and support I
feel from her family.

I have a special note this morning for my mom: Thank you for your faith,
your strength, your courage, your love and beauty of spirit.

And thank you, Mr. President, for this tremendous honor by your nomination.

END 8:14 A.M. EDT

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