Bob Menendez: “I rise, for the first time in this body, to speak on the nomination of Samuel Alito to serve on the Supreme Court of the…”

“I rise, for the first time in this body, to speak on the nomination of Samuel Alito to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States. No matter one's political persuasion, we all take pride in the honor that has been bestowed on a fellow New Jerseyan. Samuel Alito's story is one that rings familiar to so many New Jerseyans, including myself. His parents came to this country in search of opportunity, and worked hard to build a better life for their children. The son of immigrants, Judge Alito's life is a story that demonstrates the power of seizing opportunity and working hard. Frankly, it is a story close to my own heart. I too, am the son of immigrants who came to New Jersey to seek a better life and greater opportunity. Thanks to their hard work, and my own, I was the first in my family to graduate from college and law school. Yet home State pride is not a sufficient reason for supporting a nominee. For a Supreme Court appointment is a life-time appointment. When the Supreme Court decides, it is the law of the land and their decisions affect the lives of millions of Americans. So, it's not where you come from that matters, but where you will take the nation. Sam Alito has served his entire legal career in public service, and for that he is to be commended. His work as a prosecutor and as an appellate judge for the past 15 years has given him substantial experience. In his hearings and his meeting with me, he demonstrated that he has a keen intellect.…”