Watson Coleman: “I thank the Senator for that opportunity. When the Court begins its term in October, we will include nominees spanning…”

“I thank the Senator for that opportunity. When the Court begins its term in October, we will include nominees spanning seven administrations and people shaped by events from Watergate to September 11 and beyond. The Founders invested the President with the power to make nominations to the Federal judiciary and gave the Senate the role of providing advice and consent with respect to any nominee. I am pleased that after extensive and unprecedented consultation with the Senate, President Bush announced Judge John Roberts as his nominee to be the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, filling the vacancy left by Justice O'Connor. Judge Roberts has a distinguished record and extensive experience. Judge Roberts graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University and Harvard Law School. Judge Roberts clerked for Judge Henry Friendly on the Second Circuit and later for Justice William Rehnquist at the Supreme Court. After his clerkships, he served in the Department of Justice as associate counsel to President Ronald Reagan before going into private practice. After 3 years in private practice, Judge Roberts returned to the Department of Justice as Principal Deputy Solicitor General, a position in which he briefed and argued a variety of cases before the Supreme Court. Judge Roberts reported favorably out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 16 to 3, and he was confirmed by the Senate for the DC Circuit Court of Appeals by a voice vote.…”