Bush Names John Roberts To Succeed Rehnquist

Bush Names John Roberts To Succeed Rehnquist as Chief Justice

Roberts previously nominated to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor

John G. Roberts, nominated in July to replace retiring Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, was named by President Bush September 5 to replace the late William H. Rehnquist as chief justice of the United States.

Rehnquist died September 3 at age 80, after a long battle with thyroid cancer.

If confirmed, the 50-year-old Roberts would likely lead the U.S. Supreme Court for decades to come.

The U.S. Senate, which must approve nominations made by the president for the Supreme Court, had been scheduled to begin confirmation hearings for Roberts on September 6.

The president said a new nomination for O’Connor’s replacement would be presented “in a timely manner.”

Praising Roberts’ “integrity and fairness,” Bush said his choice to head the United States’ highest court has “striking abilities as a lawyer” coupled with “natural gifts as a leader.”

The president also stated his sincere wish that Roberts be installed on the bench in time to preside when the Supreme Court begins its next term on the first Monday in October.

Noting Roberts had served as a clerk for Rehnquist, Bush said it is “fitting” that his choice to succeed Rehnquist shares the late justice’s “deep reverence for the Constitution, his profound respect for the Supreme Court, and his complete devotion to the cause of justice.”

Roberts, visibly moved by references to Rehnquist’s passing, thanked the president for the “special opportunity to succeed a man I deeply respect and admire.”

For additional information about the U.S. Supreme Court, see the April eJournal, The Supreme Court of the United States: Highest Court of the Land.

Following is the transcript of remarks by the president and Roberts.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
September 5, 2005

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
NOMINATING JUDGE JOHN ROBERTS TO BE
CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT

The Oval Office
8:01 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Morning. This summer I announced the nomination of Judge John Roberts to be associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. I choose Judge Roberts from among the most distinguished jurists and attorneys in the country because he possesses the intellect, experience and temperament to be an outstanding member of our nation's Highest Court.

For the past two months, members of the United States Senate and the American people have learned about the career and character of Judge Roberts. They like what they see. He's a gentleman. He's a man of integrity and fairness. And throughout his life, he has inspired the respect and loyalty of others. John Roberts has built a record of excellence and achievement, and a reputation for goodwill and decency toward others.

In his extraordinary career, Judge Roberts has argued 39 cases before the nation's Highest Court. When I nominated him to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, he was confirmed by unanimous consent. Both those who've worked with him and those who have faced him in the courtroom speak with admiration of his striking ability as a lawyer and his natural gifts as a leader. Judge Roberts has earned the nation's confidence and I'm pleased to announce that I will nominate him to serve as the 17th chief justice of the Supreme Court.

The passing of Chief Justice William Rehnquist leaves the center chair empty just four weeks left before the Supreme Court reconvenes. It is in the interest of the Court and the country to have a chief justice on the bench on the first full day of the fall term. The Senate is well along in the process of considering Judge Roberts' qualifications. They know his record and his fidelity to the law. I'm confident that the Senate can complete hearings and confirm him as chief justice within a month. As a result of my decision to nominate Judge Roberts to be chief justice, I also have the responsibility to submit a new nominee to follow Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. I will do so in a timely manner.

Twenty-five years ago, John Roberts came to Washington as a clerk to Justice William Rehnquist. In his boss, the young law clerk found a role model, a professional mentor, and a friend for life. I'm certain that Chief Justice Rehnquist was hoping to welcome John Roberts as a colleague, and we're all sorry that day didn't come. Yet it's fitting that a great chief justice be followed in office by a person who shared his deep reverence for the Constitution, his profound respect for the Supreme Court, and his complete devotion to the cause of justice.

Congratulations.

JUDGE ROBERTS: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. I am honored and humbled by the confidence that the President has shown in me. And I'm very much aware that if I am confirmed, I would succeed a man I deeply respect and admire, a man who has been very kind to me for 25 years.

Thank you, Mr. President, for that special opportunity.

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