Political Quotes

“Mr. President, there has been concern, as the chairman pointed out and the ranking member pointed out, on Benita Pearson's views on animal law. With all due respect to my colleague, you know it is a red herring. If you look at the record of Ohio's Northern District, which goes back to 1839, there has been exactly one case on animal welfare. Some 20 years ago, the Cleveland Zoo was sued to stop the transfer of Timmy the gorilla to the Bronx Zoo--I am not making this up--from transferring Timmy the Gorilla to the Bronx Zoo for mating purposes. The case was dismissed. One case in 170 years. Judge Pearson is qualified, say the two former presiding judges, Chief Judges Carr and White, and the sitting presiding judge, Judge Oliver from the Northern District--a combined 50 years' experience on the district court. Judge James Carr, the Chief U.S. District Judge at the time of her nomination, lauded Judge Pearson as ``a splendid choice . . . eminently well-qualified by intelligence, experience . . . and judicial temperament.'' His successor, Chief Judge Solomon Oliver, is just as supportive of her nomination. So is former Chief Judge George White, who wrote that: Magistrate Judge Pearson's record as a Judicial Officer and her litigation and business experience do more than idly suggest her readiness to assume the position of District Court Judge. Taken all together, you will be hard-pressed to find a more suitable candidate.”