Bob Dole: “I am pleased tonight we are confirming two of President Bush's judicial nominees from my home State of North Carolina…”

“I am pleased tonight we are confirming two of President Bush's judicial nominees from my home State of North Carolina, Allyson Duncan to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and Louise Flanagan to the Eastern District of North Carolina. Our free society is based on reasoned, dispassionate judgment of the men and women of our judicial branch of our Government who share a sense of honor and duty to our country and to our Constitution. Every indication is that these two talented and experienced individuals will provide just that. Judges interpret and apply the laws that govern our Nation, including our fundamental rights and liberties protected in the Constitution. However, on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, there is a North Carolina vacancy that is the longest on the entire Federal bench. It dates back nearly a decade to July 31, 1994. In fact, North Carolina has had no representation on the Fourth Circuit Court in nearly 4 years, though we are the largest State in the circuit. Two seats have stood empty on North Carolina's Eastern District Court for 2 1/2 and 5 1/2 years, respectively. I am pleased the Senate has stepped up and fulfilled its duties for these to nominees, taking steps to fill these vacancies to address the disparity for North Carolina. This vote is historic in more ways than one. Allyson Duncan is the first woman from North Carolina to serve on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.”