María Elvira Salazar: “I rise in relation to the nomination of Judge Alberto Gonzales to be the next Attorney General of the United States. I…”

“I rise in relation to the nomination of Judge Alberto Gonzales to be the next Attorney General of the United States. I do so because my brothers and sisters in law enforcement have endorsed him. I do so as well because he has given me his written commitment to fight for civil rights. I do so because Judge Gonzales has given me his written pledge that he opposes torture in all of its forms and will use the power of his office to prosecute any American--anywhere--who uses torture. Any policy that condones torture is reprehensible for three reasons. First, a torture policy violates U.S. law and the cornerstone of the Geneva Conventions. Second, a torture policy endangers our men and women in uniform.”