Arlen Specter: “I want to say a word or two about judges. It is a very difficult matter getting judges confirmed in the Senate. I…”

“I want to say a word or two about judges. It is a very difficult matter getting judges confirmed in the Senate. I congratulate my distinguished colleague, Bruce Kauffman, a former Supreme Court Justice in Pennsylvania, for his confirmation yesterday. I understand the distinguished Pennsylvanian from Wilkes-Barre, A. Richard Caputo, Esquire, is subject to confirmation with no objection. I urge my colleagues to support the confirmation of Judge Frederica Massiah-Jackson, for the eastern district of Pennsylvania, Federal court. Judge Massiah-Jackson has a very distinguished record on the State Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County. Although some questions have arisen, a couple of intemperate remarks, I think, do not disqualify her. If intemperate remarks were disqualifiers, there wouldn't be any Federal judges, there wouldn't be any Senators or anybody in any other positions. Questions have arisen about her sentencing. Out of 4,000 cases, 95 appeals were taken and reversals in only 14 cases. I urge my colleagues to support Judge Frederica Massiah-Jackson so we can fill a vacancy on the Federal court.”