Political Quotes

“I rise briefly to say thank you, congratulations, and best wishes to an outstanding person, a truly remarkable jurist. That is, of course, Sandra Day O'Connor, who announced her retirement today. A lot of people can say many good things about her service on the Court, her interpretation of the Constitution. We have heard many discussions about the wise judgment she has made. I reflect a little bit as a personal acquaintance. Going back over 30 years when I visited my parents in Arizona, I had the opportunity to get to know John and Sandra Day O'Connor. We played a lot of tennis together. Incidentally, they are both very good tennis players. John has a great, somewhat wacky sense of humor. Sandra Day O'Connor is a truly wonderful, remarkable, warm human being. She wouldn't tell the stories publicly, but there are a number of stories her friends know about the extra measure of kindness she showed to people in need, people who are very ill, people who were suffering. She went out of her way quietly and demonstrated a human kindness and compassion that was significant. As has already been outlined, she had a great record, great educational record, a record of great service. When I met her, she was majority leader of the Arizona State Senate. I was Governor of Missouri. We were recruiting people to run for Governor of Arizona. I thought Sandra Day O'Connor would make a great Governor of Arizona.…”