I do believe, and I tried, in my private practice, in particular, to honor the commitment to pro bono work.

I think Senator Sessions is absolutely right

Your timing is perfect, because the budget is on the floor as we speak.

The juvenile justice issues are really important. We are struggling with that in this Committee.

I would urge all the nominees to try to get those responses back as quickly as possible and as thoroughly as possible.

I take particular interest in the Fourth Circuit. So I am very pleased today that Senator Leahy has allowed me to chair this hearing.

You have an impressive resume.

I know that it is not easy to serve in public positions.

Which is the tradition of our Committee, we will use two panels.

I do not know whether the Supreme Court of Virginia has taken any similar steps or not.

I do believe--one of my criteria for determining who I support on confirmation to the Federal bench is their passion and respect for the protections that are in our Constitution.

I personally believe the legal community has a specific responsibility as it relates to providing access to justice to those who otherwise could not afford it.

Just to underscore that one point, there are five vacancies on the fourth circuit. The second circuit has four vacancies.

I want to give you an opportunity to talk a little bit about how important judicial ethics is in your life as a judge.

In normal times, it is difficult for poor people to get access to our civil system. In a recession, it is that much more difficult.

I do hope that our Committee will be able to deal with that issue.

If we are moving in the right direction, we need to say that so the American People will be clear on that.

But we also need to keep in mind, as Ms. Klobuchar has so eloquently stated, where we have come from.